Windows XP Starter Edition build 2600.2901

Windows XP build 2600.2901 is the Windows XP Starter Edition SKU, based on Service Pack 2 of Windows XP Home Edition.

Differences from other SKUs

 * The Luna theme cannot be activated since the tab to change the theme is removed. However, the file is still available and can be used via registry modification.
 * The user cannot run more than three programs or three sessions of a program. Terminating  may bypass this though.
 * This build will not boot on a faster CPU, as it will result in an "Unsupported state" error message that results in a system crash. Alongside, it will not recognize more than 512MB of RAM (256MB for most international releases).
 * A permanent watermark is added on the bottom right of the screen, which will still appear on top of everything as long as  is active.
 * It uses large icons and mouse cursor by default.
 * There is only one wallpaper that is used by default. However, international releases have different backgrounds.
 * It contains a very different File Protection, if there is any user modification in the registry or a few system files, then an "Unsupported state" error message will appear and then  will get terminated, more than likely leading to a system crash. Disabling some protection services may prevent this, however it has a very harsh File Protection system which restores the files and the registry settings upon changing them.
 * Classic View in the Control Panel is missing, however it can be restored via logging in as a SYSTEM or NETWORKSERVICE account privilege.
 * Attempting to logon as NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM works, however it doesn't provide much advantages over the regular "Administrator" account, and much of the protected system components are controlled by a higher level.
 * Being based of Windows XP Home Edition, many MMC extensions won't work, even when being logged on as NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM.
 * Terminating critical system processes such as  or   is not possible by regular means, and the   command line utility is extremely limited.
 * Even if all system processes are force stopped, the system does not trigger a BSOD, the only exception to that stopping the RPC service which leads to an issued "shutdown" by the system.

Apparently, there is also a 1024×768 screen resolution limitation, but this is not implemented.

Bugs

 * Sometimes (and on first boot usually) the three program limit will not be in force - even with Explorer open.