So if I buy say xp pro locally every time I install it I have to activate it..? Also say I wanted to be el sneako and install it on two machines..?? Would that be a problem..?? I see that if I buy the oem version I just need to activate it once correct..?? so if I activate it once then I can use it just like WINK and put it on as many machines as I want or..?? Let me know, see I have 4 computers at this location, and I would love to be able to just buy 1 copy, I know it is wrong and illegal but I would rather keep every dime out of that greedy guys company as possible. ALso I heard a rumor for another computer guy that everytime you change hardware, or a processor or a video card ect... you have to re register it or install it, somthing like that. Let me know what ya think!