Beta Request the Web's Best

6 Best Operating Systems for Activation

Gear

How Wize Works

Wize gathers millions of user and expert reviews from websites like Amazon.com, Walmart, and CNET and rates the best products for how people want to use them.

Find out more
User Photos

What To Look For

Why We Recommend These Products

Out of thousands of reviews for 114 products, over 100 people recommended Operating Systems specifically for Activation. These 6 are the most highly recommended products we found.

No 1 Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Microsoft Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 2 Upgrade Version for PC $140 - $219 Compare Prices
  • Upgrade Version
  • Platform: PC
  • Released over 3 years ago
7 People Recommend
"careful if activating before completing your install, though; repeat activations in less than 120 days require phone calls to microsoft.…"

- Pricegrabber.com User

"weaknesses: none, just know that you buy 1 license for 1 computer, if you install on more than 1, you will have to buy extra licenses (activation is online, so there's no way around in case you…"

- martingodts at Pricegrabber.com

" cons: product activation, program too large, requires too much ram, expensive, one install/machine …"

- paulphoto at Shopping.com


No 2 Microsoft Windows XP Professional Edition
Microsoft Windows XP Professional Edition with SP2b Full Version for PC $132 - $419 Compare Prices
  • Full Version
  • Platform: PC
  • Released over 3 years ago
5 People Recommend
"you install it on one pc, and during product activation it will record and register the make, model,and sn# of the motherboard.…"

- Newegg.com User

"pros: this is my first legal copy of xp, and the activation wasn't the pita i thought it'd be, it was pretty easy. …"

- Newegg.com User

"you install it on one pc, and during product activation it will record and register the make, model,and sn# of the motherboard. …"

- Newegg.com User


No 3 Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition English
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition English W/SP2 Upgrade Upgrade Version for PC $86 - $110 Compare Prices
  • Upgrade Version
  • Platform: PC
  • Released over 3 years ago
5 People Recommend
"my only complaint with the purchase process is activation -- particularly annoying if you update and change your pc often (hardware, software, reinstallation) as i do.…"

- Pricegrabber.com User

"weaknesses: activation is a pain, you have to buy one copy for each computer.…"

- XPMobile2400Antec at Pricegrabber.com

"weaknesses: activation, cpu and memory requirements (demanding), integrated apps (internet explorer and outlook express particularly).…"

- SquirrelWorks at Pricegrabber.com


No 4 Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition with SP2b Full Version for PC $97 - $230 Compare Prices
  • Full Version
  • Platform: PC
  • Released over 2 years ago
4 People Recommend
"pros: all the drivers and programs in the world are written to work with this os.cons: m$ won't be fair about their activation process. …"

- Newegg.com User

"in concerened about the activation thing when you change hardware or have to reformat. …"

- Newegg.com User

"the oem version was a snap to install and activation was not a problem. …"

- Newegg.com User


No 5 Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Edition Full Version OEM
Microsoft Windows  Vista  Home Premium Edition Full Version OEM for PC (1 Computers) $110 - $135 Compare Prices
  • Feature Packed
  • Full Version
  • Platform: PC
  • Released over 2 years ago
4 People Recommend
"other thoughts: since this is an oem version, i was uncertain about the activation problem i had when i first installed it.…"

- Newegg.com User

"even though i purchased and oem version which is supposed to be self-supported, you have 90 days free support in all forms starting from either the activation date or start of support, which ever…"

- Newegg.com User

"of course the electronic activation in vista told me that my key was in use and i had to call ms. …"

- Newegg.com User


No 6 Xandros Desktop Home Edition Premium Full Version
Xandros Desktop Home Edition  Premium Full Version for PC Compare Prices
  • Full Version
  • Platform: PC
  • Released over 2 years ago
1 People Recommend
"you get free updates, and you can download tons of games & programs for free!cons: noneother thoughts: save your activation # they send you (email) just in case you need to re-do your system at any…"

- Newegg.com User

"same for software.even windows has hardware and software incompatibilities.other thoughts: i suppose the reason for activation to access the additional software downloads is to prevent wide-open free…"

- Newegg.com User


Compare Top Operating Systems for Activation All Activation Operating System Products

Tip: for more recommendations, try best Operating Systems for "Business", "Server", "Itune".


Can't find what you're looking for?

?
Best Operating Systems for
For example: Best Operating Systems for "Standard", "Hype", "Memory", "Icon" or "Big".


How Are We Doing?

Have a comment? Found a bug? Have a great idea for the site? Good or bad, we love hearing from people who use Wize so we can make the site even better based on your feedback.

Tell us what you think

© Wize, Inc.

Wize.com wants to improve! Will you please help by taking a quick survey?

Yes! Take me there.

No Thanks