Hello,
you probably know that XP-Pro has got a few more handy functions than XP-Home. To mention a few:
-domain integration
-128 file encryption
-GUI for administration of file and folder permissions
-advanced file sharing
-administration of accounts and groups und Computer Management
-and many more…
Ive been missing these functions since my TR only came with XP-Home. This is why I was searching the internet trying to find a cheap XP-Pro upgrade. By doing so I happened to find this old article:
http://www.heise.de/ct/english/05/12/148/
The article was publicized by the well known and trusted “CT-Magazin” (HEISE Publishing House).
I glanced through the article and I was amazed. According to it you can easily modify your XP-Home CD to make it install some kind of “XP-Pro”.
Based on the fact that XP-Home is nothing less than a castrated version of XP-Pro the modification is supposed to “unlock” the above mentioned functions. Its said that they are only dormant and only needs to be installed. That would be good enough for me… I thought to myself.
The article says that two registry (reg file on CD) modifications would be enought to make the XP-Home installation think its an XP-Pro installation. This is why the installation procedure would install the hidden functions… not all XP-Pro functions but many. The XP system would even identify itself as XP-Pro.
The authors claim that you would only need your XP-Home product key to install it. They even claim that activation would work fine.
Finally there are legal issues that have to be discussed. Ive read another article that says you would need an XP-Pro license to run such a modified XP. Another one claims that you dont. They say that you would only modify/tweak your XP-Home what you already have a license for.
I havent found an official Microsoft statement about that yet. This is why I dont know what to think. However… I could imagine that I at least could give it a try to see if such an installation works at all.
What do you guys think about it? Anyone tried yet?
