Windows Central

Millions of Windows XP disks secretly included Microsoft's failed search assistant to keep pirates at bay — "Bob was actually more useful dead than alive"

Microsoft Bob seemingly moved away from tiles of windows to a cartoonish home interface, packed with files, folders, apps, and even the beloved Rover the Dog, who also wiggled its way into Windows XP ...
GIGAZINE

The developer at the time revealed that the license key circulating in the pirated version of Windows XP was not hacked but leaked from within

When Windows XP was released in 2001, users were required to enter a license key to use it legitimately. One such key, 'FCKGW-RHQQ2-YXRKT-8TG6W-2B7Q8,' was circulated early in the release as a license ...