Windows XP's most famous pirated key wasn't a hack. It was a leak

PCWorld reports that the infamous Windows XP "FCKGW" product key was not a hack but a leaked legitimate corporate volume licensing key. The key allowed millions of users to bypass Windows XP's mandatory activation process, as volume licenses did not require phoning home to Microsoft. Microsoft has since blacklisted the key and shut down the associated servers, closing this well-known piracy loophole. About a year ago, in a social media post, long-time Microsoft veteran Dave Plummer ( who worked on Windows Task Manager) recounted the story of what's now known as the most iconic Windows product key.