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Change 2 Bytes and Windows XP Home becomes XP Professional
Posted by Steven Bink May 31, 2005 1:25 PM with 4 comment(s)
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German Computer magazine C'T (Heise) is describing in its current print issue how to change Windows XP Home to a Windows XP Professional version before install.

Microsoft is not going to like this. The C'T magazine apparently found out that by changing 2 bytes in the installation file of Windows XP Home, it will install a Windows Professional. Some functions are missing, but Remote Desktop and User management and enhanced security features are present.

I could not find write-up of the instructions online yet. C'Ts online site is not reporting about it - guess they want to maximize print magazine sales. The article is in the c't 12/05 on page 148. The hack requires several steps. The major change is in a registry file setupreg.hiv in the i386 folder. The article is 8 pages long, so I guess you have to get the magazine to get it right.

Story via I4U (US) via silicon.de (German). 

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Source: www.i4u.com

Comments

 

Steven Bink said:

There used to be a tool that could do this [:$]
May 31, 2005 9:47 AM
 

Chinpokomon said:

The "Tool" changed Workstations into Servers... this is the first "hack" I've seen to change Home into Pro.

This really shouldn't be surprising though.  I haven't read the article, but I suspect it's no different than making an installation look like a Tablet PC or a Media Center.  The tool for converting a workstation to a server post install was more difficult, because the system has threads that monitor changes to the registry and it requires disabling these two threads before making the changes.  By modifying the hive before Windows is installed, you'd be able to safely bypass that protection.
May 31, 2005 3:46 PM
 

xMorpheousx416 said:

For the typical home user, Pro isn't worth using, and the vague "some features are missing", may just be some services that keep the system stable when they are present.  Without that article, one could only guess.


May 31, 2005 6:34 PM
 

BattlestormTitan said:

the "Tool" could covert windows to any version of work station or server (within the same kernal ie. 5.0 2k, 5.1 xp, 5.2 2k3), but with no guarantee of stability
June 1, 2005 2:12 AM

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