How to install Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 Tools to XP or Vista

I got email from Philip Edney with a hint that how you can install Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 Tools: Visual Studio 2005 Extensions (VSeWSS)   for none-Windows 2003 server OS. Of course since that's not supported you'll have to do small registry hack (but that's what developers do :-):

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Shared Tools\Web Server Extensions\12.0]
"Sharepoint"="Installed"

I just tested it with Windows Vista and it works! Before the hack it gives me "This product can be installed if Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 has been installed first. " and after the hack it went fine. I think there're a lot of people who would like to try/use this option even if they fall for unsupported mode.

But thanks to Phil to let me know about that possibility! Update: Phil mentioned that he actually got the information from Raju Sakthivel so the credits chain just goes on and on :-)

Anyways... Happy hacking!

J