Multiple processors in XP

Windows XP can support multiple processors, but that is a known fact. The question about the number of processor an operating system can support, which sounds like a technical question, is actually a legal one. Though it may support multiple processors, the operating system license has a limit. If you connect processors beyond the limit of the operating system version, then it may become a crime and can cause legal issues. According to the experts at the other end of the Windows support number, the version of the operating system determines the number of processors supported.

Dual-Core

The Home and Professional editions of the operating system has limited licensing policy on the number of processors that can be supported. This does not count the dual or quad -cores as they are pre-cores not pre-processors. They are considered as single processor. Thus, there are options for connecting more processors.

Versions of Windows

As said above, the Windows support number experts say that the version of Windows XP determines the number of processors. If you don’t know the version of the operating system, check the sticker on the computer. Beside the license key, the version will be mentioned. If the sticker is not there then, right-click My Computer and click Properties. The Properties window that pops up has the details about the version of XP running.

XP Home

Windows XP Home edition supports only one processor. It can be dual or quad core, but there’s only one processor. To install more processors, you will have to upgrade Home to Professional or Ultimate or upgrade to Vista or Windows 7.

XP Professional

If you are upgrading from Home to Professional for multiple processors, you can have two processors. However, more than two processors is not possible, as this is an upgrade over Home. Yet, with dual-core processors you could have four cores with this license or eight, with two quad-core processors.

Windows Server

Multiple processors in XP

Servers are computers that can run hundreds of processors, unlike desktops. Home users will not have Windows Server version as the cost of Home edition is very minimal when compared to that. As the number of processors increase, cost of the licensing increases. Multiple processors for a server will cost heavily.

Hope this article was helpful to you!