101. How Do I Change The Windows XP Product Key Number

One of the main reasons for changing the Windows XP product key number is if you knowingly or unknowingly install a pirated copy of Windows XP and upon attempting to activate your copy of XP or download updates from the Microsoft download site you are refused either activation or the specific download.

Of course this may not be your fault. The copy of Windows XP may have come pre-installed on your pc and the store may have wittingly or unwittingly installed a pirated image of the software on your pc.

Either way, eventually, you are going to have to obtain a new product key number to make your copy legal. Once the new product key number is obtained it will be necessary to edit the registry in order to input the new product key. It should be noted that once the new product key has been inserted into the registry you will be required, once again, to Activate the new product coded copy of Windows XP.

PLEASE NOTE

To rectify the problem you will need to edit the registry, therefore, before you proceed, you should ensure that you have backed up the registry. (see 662. How do I backup the Registry in Windows XP ).

Click the Start button.
From the Start Menu click Run.
In the Run dialogue box type: regedit
The Windows Registry window will now open.
Navigate to the following registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\Current Version\WPAEvents
In the Right Hand Pane of the registry window Right Click on the OOBETimer value and select Modify.
Change at least one of the characters in the Modify dialogue box to either a number between 0 (Zero) and 9 (Nine) or a letter between A and F and close the registry.
This operation now Deactivates the current product key rendering it invalid.

To Re-Activate Windows

Click the Start button.
From the Start menu click Run.
In the Run dialogue box type: C:\windows\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a and press OK (If your copy of XP is an upgrade from Windows NT/2000 then substitute the above command for the following: C:\winnt\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a
The Windows Activation Screen will now launch.
Select Yes i want to Telephone a Microsoft customer service representative and then click the Next button.
Select Change product key option and type in your new Product key number.
Click Update and then close the window.
On pressing Update the window may return to the previous screen. If it does so, then simply select the Remind Me later option.
Now Reboot your system.
When your PC has rebooted you will be asked to Re-Activate your copy of xp through the normal activation channel, i.e., via the internet.