Universal restore and Windows Activation

I have created an image of Windows XP Pro corporate edition machine. When I perform an universal restore onto a new machine or virtual machine I get prompted to perform a Windows activation before I can log into the desktop. I'm curious as to why this happens when I have a valid corporate edition of Windows XP professional installed into the source image?

 

Whenever Windows "sees" different hardware it will require re-activation. Usually if you change only one component, like a video card, activation will not be required. Since you changed the entire computer hardware that's why it called for re-activation

 

The thing is "snowmaker" says he is using a corporate version of XP Pro and the corporate version doesn't need to be activated.

Are you shure it's the corporate version of XP Pro that you are using and not a retail or OEM version, if it's a retail or OEM version then "Ralphie" is 100% correct with what he said.

 

It depends on what "corporate" version you have. Early ones indeed did not call for activation, especially if they are labelled "volume license agreement". More recent copies do require activation.