I have heard all of the following terms used in naming the specific OS. I would like to know what you call the corporate non activation version of Enterprise?

Microsoft Windows Server 2003

-Standard Edition
-Enterprise Edition
-Datacenter Edition
-Web Edition
-32bit
-64bit
-CPP (Customer Preview Program)
-RTM (Release To Manufacturer)
-VLK (Volume License Key)
-Retail/OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer): 30 days to activate.
-Final
-build 3790
-Corporate
-ITA
-3in1-
-Evaluation Version: 14 days to activate.
-MSDN Version: 60 days to activate.

You can go to the following Microsoft page for a breakdown of the available versions and differences.

Hope this helps,
Vinnie
B)

These were the four types of Windows Server 2003 listed there:

Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition
Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition
Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition
Windows Server 2003, Web Edition

AFAIK for Windows XP, there were four versions:
Windows XP Home Edition
Windows XP Professional
Windows XP Professional (Corporate Edition) - already activated
Windows XP 64-bit Edition

this is my personal question:
my company bought Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition on 5th May. but it was not already activated.
i would like to ask if there is a product which is already activated (like Windows XP Professional)?
(so that it would be easier to install over a large number of computers in the network). thanks. :)

Yup there is McoreD

Windows 2003 Server also comes in volume license edition, where if the right CD and key are used the server is already activated.

Read more here:

Ok I found my answer.


"Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition Volume License"


This one requires a VLK when installing. It does not need to be activated. If you do not have a legal VLK, Windows Update will not work for you.

OK; But according to Cactus (thanks Cactus!) if you purchased the right key for your product which no need to be activated, after it is installed, it should be already activated!

Correct, if you have the "Volume License" version of the OS and a VLK, then there is no need to activate. The VLK just lets you install the OS.

BUT

If the VLK is a blacklisted version, then your Windows Update will not work.


This is what i have read...but of course I may be wrong.

You are right. The blacklisted key will let you install, but not use the updates.

i got my Volume Licensed Product (VLP) on dvd... the latest MSDN disc. It contains almost all the windows products available on a bootable dvd including the ISO files to burn them individualy. here are the dvd contents ...

Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition
Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition
Windows Server 2003, Web Edition

Windows XP Professional
Windows XP Professional SP1 Tablet PC Edition

I have not seen an MSDN disc that needed activation. where did you guys get that info? And there is no Win ME or XP Home Ed VLP ... these are retail products.

actually from my researches I have found that there is a such a thing as the Windows ME Corp. Edition. What this edition allows from what I have found out is no CD key is needed during installation, as far as I can tell thats the only difference between ME Corp and ME Retail. just my 2 cents

~PCTech