Switch to XP Classic Start menu!

[Guest tjabobom]

I working on a new deployment environment at my company.

and I use Unattend script for my base deployment (I whant every machine to be as simulant as possible) and I want to run Win XP in Classic style...

So how do I get XP in classic style....?

I have tried att the end of my script to do a reg tweak, well. I have looked at the web to find a classic reg hack and I have tried to scan the reg change before and after change to the classic style.. Well my XP look like a "Classic Mutant" I have not any controll of what I doing.. I found in GPO that it was some adim template how deal witt it .. Is it posible to activate or change GPO with a script???

I also have a problem with that my XP wants to be activated after an unattend installation is it posible to get away from this I use Select licensing... ???

Bye Per

[prathapml]

Put this section in your winnt.sif (or unattend.txt):

[shell];  CustomDefaultThemeFile="%systemroot%\Resources\Themes\Slate.theme"

DefaultStartPanelOff=Yes

DefaultThemesOff=Yes

Note the ";" for the theme file (that is there to comment out that line).

Change the path to the theme file you want to use, and remove the ";" to use it.

We do not want to discuss circumventing anti-piracy measures on the board, do we?

[Guest tjabobom]

Thanks prathapml it worked just fine!

I will look in the MS Preinstallation Reference before I think of reghack!!!

Well I didnt look for a piracy hack to work around the XP activation. So there is no legal MS way to get this done.. ??? Well so the activation is always "hands on". well I can live with it I just support 250 PC, but the big Company with 10 000 PC most have a big problem...

I have put an XP serial code in the Unattend script, same serial code will be in some image... I dont think I can use same code to activate 250 PC....or???!!!

Bye Per

[Bilou_Gateux]

Big companies uses the corporate edition (volume license version) of Windows XP Professional wich doesn t need to be activated.

When your company buy new PCs, You should specify you want PCs without any OS preloaded and without M$ license and obtain a less expensive price.

And your company should subscribe an authorised reseller M$ licensing program to buy the needed quantity of licenses.

You will have only one KEY and one install media for all your deployments needs.

[gtaylor]

In order to avoid the problems with product activation you need to purchase the Windows XP Professional Upgrade Licence through one of the Microsoft Volume Licencing programs.

Pricing and Licensing for Windows XP Professional

Note that you MUST purchase a retail or OEM Windows licence with each computer. The volume licencing for Windows XP is for an UPGRADE only. If you do not purchase the licence with the computer then you will need to purchase a RETAIL copy of Windows XP for each computer to remain legal.