Microsoft has ratcheted up the security in the latest build of the Windows XP, which went up on Microsoft's FTP servers last night, and on the 'unofficial' FTP servers shortly afterwards. But it's a virtual ratchet, largely - according to the build 2428 release notes that escaped along with (of course) the code, each technical beta tester is being assigned a unique installation product key in order to unlock the build.
But then the notes go on to tell us that the build has a registry key that can be used to disable the product activation in this build. So although you've got a unique key that can be tracked back to you (possibly...), you don't actually need to use it anyway. Previous leaked builds have been accompanied by various patches and workarounds that deal with the product activation technology, but with 2428 Microsoft is saving these, er, misguided enthusiasts the effort by putting the workaround in the release notes.
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