[Moved to !iiiiiiitttttttttttt@programming.dev, check pinned post.] iiiiiiitttttttttttt.

Remember? I have the disc in a box next to me

Thanks for the free key sucker 😎

Don't forget the classic:

I'm old enough to remember Win3.0 and the 10-digit activation codes that were valid if they were mod-7. Yes, that did include 000-0000000.

This is the internet. You can say FUCK GW here

I am almost certain there is a copy of both XP and 7 with the key written on the disc just like this in my box of "maybe I'll need it one day" computer cables and parts box lol.

I'm old enough to have saved and loaded data with a cassette drive (i.e. a random ass tape deck with a special cable attached to the computer) on a TI-99/4a. You had to set the volume level the same for recording and reading or else it wouldn't read correctly. Get off my lawn.

Pfffft, you kids! I remember shuffling through a couple of dozen 3½" disks to install Windows 3.1 for Workgroups.

Haha, no.
I've got better, a modified ISO that doesn't need a key. Maybe there is malware, who knows, but it doesn't need a key.

Matter of fact, I carry around a portable USB DVD drive and book case with discs in my backpack. Linux ISOs but also the newest Hiren's Boot disc (which is based on Windows 11 PE).

But I just like DVDs. Yes, I have a Ventoy disk, yes, it boots in seconds, not minutes, yes it's smaller and more convenient, but does it spin? Does it make any (audible) sounds? Is it nice and shiny? Does it require burning, verification and some more care? No, it's just a boring USB stick.

But my backpack also includes a WRT54GL with DD-WRT, so...

It's similar to how I grabbed at 3G when its shutdown was announced. I switched my phone to 3G only ("WCDMA only" in *#*#4636#*#* menu) until I was forcefully disconnected when the cell towers in my area shut down. But for the sake of affecting some possible statistics, I switched back to 3G only every time before entering area that still had 3G and switched it back only a while after exiting it.
My idea was there could be some statistics for the last days of 3G usage, and perhaps it could include devices that would not successfully re-connect after the shutdown.

Just an example there. I like to keep old technology around, and I like to affect statistics in certain ways, and I do want DVD purchase statistics to be higher, so I keep using them, and I like them too.

...that cd-key is etched into my brain.

I’m old enough to remember this….

I still have functioning WinXP and Win98 virtual machines.

I still have mine around here, somewhere! It's WinXP Media Center 2005. That I still use on my Dimension E510.

Yes. Next to my Windows 7 and BeOS CDs

I think we are using the same actovation key

Hell I remember windows not having a backdoor key that was something like 12345678-123. Something like that anyway....in my defense it's been 27 ish years since I installed NT

Mine had Windows 98 and 2000 on them.

Microsoft: we’ll make long-ass cd keys so they’re difficult to memorize and pirate

18-year-old me: hold my cherry coke

I can remember that code of the top of my head, quarter a century later. Lunch yesterday?? Hahaha no

I'm old enough to already have forgotten the key a long time ago. Hello, old friend.

Grew up with Commodore 128 with a tape drive and arcade games at the grill bar. Precious memories.

Wait, you're telling me the files are IN the computer?

Yep and I even used those same Sony cd-r's. They were less reliable than cheaper ones actually. That cd key actually seems familiar! Maybe just a weird memory thing though

I still have a 50 stack of dvdrws somewhere. I probably use two or three a year

Take a lighter. Hold it to the clear side of the disk. Once it's good and hot take the lighter and drop it through the other side.