Platinum Edition Using® Microsoft® Windows® XP

Licensing Issues

Whether you choose to automate using the bootable Windows XP CD with an answer file, using a disk image, or using a scripted install over the network, the first thing you'll want to do is make sure you're properly licensed. If I had a dollar for every time I'd created an image using the wrong media for my licensing, I'd have exactly one dollar…because after the first time I screwed it up, I've always remembered to double-check my media before starting development on a new automated install.

NOTE Microsoft revises its licensing policies almost as often as it releases Service Packs. For the latest twists and turns, check out http://www.microsoft.com/licensing

Under Microsoft's current licensing model, retail Windows XP media cannot ...