Difference between Windows XP VL, Retail, OEM Edition

[paul1678]

Hi. I am curious what is difference for Windows XP Professional in files at version VL, Retail and OEM. It's only license type or something more ?

[Mustafa Can]

VL is for companies. They can activate multiple copies for windows with only 1 key without need of the online activation.

Retail is for the Home users. They can only activate 1 activation and require online activation.

OEM is for the Computer Manufacturers. They activate with slic table on the BIOS and does not require online activation.

[DeFacto]

Activation could also be different in case of VL, but I'm not sure...

[paul1678]

VL is short of what two word btw ?

[PlyrStar93]

There are differences in the activation principals between them.

Retail: Requires entering serial during installation, and needs activation after installation.
VL: Requires entering serial during installation, but the system is activated after installation and no need to activate on your own.
OEM: Requires motherboard with SLP 1.0 to activate.

VL = Volume License

[paul1678]

Ahh ok Thank you for info.

Btw. There was any more version of XP like that?

[PlyrStar93]

From the perspective of licensing, there are only the above 3 channels.

Here's a list of available license types of each Windows XP SKU:
Home: Retail, OEM
Professional: Retail, OEM, VL
Pro x64: Retail, OEM, VL
Media Center: OEM, VL
Tablet PC: OEM, VL
Starter: ???

[paul1678]

Ahh ok so I know now all. BTW it not should be called VLK instead VL ?

[DeFacto]

Starter was OEM only in developing countries AFAIK...

@Paul: VLK means Volume license key (also AFAIK)...

[Rob Jansen]

@paul1678.

It has already been answered here.
In the Sticky Topic in this right sub-forum.

http://www.betaarchive.com/forum/viewto ... 551#p58551

[paul1678]

Ahh My mistake

Thank you all for reply and explaining