What is an installation ID?
The installation ID is the required activation data. The installation ID is a code that is provided to Microsoft as part of activation, either electronically, if activation occurs over the Internet, or verbally to a customer service representative if activation occurs over the telephone. The installation ID is made up of two components: the software’s product ID and a hardware hash value. The product ID is unique to that software installation and is generated from the product key used during installation. (For Windows XP SP1 and Office 2003 installations only, the product key is also sent as part of activation in order to deter product key cracks). The hardware hash value is a nonunique representation of the PC on which the software was installed. It is called a hash value because it has no direct correlation to the PC and cannot be backward-calculated to the original value.
The installation ID is the required activation data. The installation ID is a 50-digit code that is provided to Microsoft as part of activation, either electronically, if activation occurs over the Internet, or verbally to a customer service representative if activation occurs over the telephone. The installation ID is made up of two components: the softwares product ID and a hardware hash value. The product ID is unique to that software installation and is generated from the product key used during installation. The hardware hash value is a nonunique representation of the PC on which the software was installed. It is called a hash value because it has no direct correlation to the PC and cannot be backward-calculated to the original value.
