I just purchased an XP Pro CD. I think it is a educational copy, but I am not sure. It has "Student Media/Work at Home Media listed on the disk. I assume this is similar to an OEM version. Is there any difference in functionality besides the fact that Microsoft won't support updates (excluding security) I don't care much about M$ not updating, but I want to be sure that it will be fully functional. This is it: http://www.viosoftware.com/Windows+... I just want to be sure before I open it and it becomes unreturnable. Thnks

I bought that from my school as well and I have it currently installed with no problems. I haven't noticed a difference between this and my desktop with the OEM version of XP.

Thanks for the reply. I figured as much (and should have asked BEFORE I bought it, lol)Thanks for the reply

The disc is not so much what you paid for but the product key, if this license key has been abused - opening it or not will make no difference, unfortunately; and you won't find that out till you try to activate the OS using affixed key.

VioSoftware seems fairly reputible. Pricewatch, Pricegrabber etc. all have them as rated sellers. I would assume that their products are legit. (unless it was pirated from them at some point)

9.80 out 10 lifetime rating: http://www.resellerratings.com/stor... What makes you think that "Microsoft won't support updates"?

I had read somewhere that MS will only support security updates for non-retail versions of XP. "So I have that going for me....Which is nice"