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How can I
change the volume licensing product key
on a Windows XP SP1-Based Computer?
Because of
changes in Windows XP Service Pack 1
(SP1), Windows XP-based computers that
use a leaked product key that is known
to be available to the general public
may not be able to install SP1 or
automatically obtain updates from the
Windows Update Web site. For an easy and
quick method of obtaining your own CD
Key please read
Quickly Retrieve Windows CD Key.
For
example, you may experience the symptoms
that are described in the following
Microsoft Knowledge Base article when
you install SP1:
326904 Error Message: The Product Key
Used to Install Windows Is Invalid
There are
two (legal) methods that you can use to
change the product key with volume
licensing media after installation. You
can use either the Windows Activation
Wizard graphical user interface (GUI) or
a Windows Management Instrumentation
(WMI) script.
The easier
method to use is the Use the Activation
Wizard method. Use this method when you
only have a few computers on which to
change the product key. The Use a Script
method is best when you have a number of
computers on which you have to change
the product key.
Legal Note: Make
sure you understand that this method is
indeed legal. This is NO crack, NO hack,
there is nothing illegal with this
article. I will not, however, encourage
any reader to use an illegally obtained
CD Key. What you do in your own
house/office is your own business, and I
cannot and will not be held responsible
for your actions.
Method #1: Use the Activation Wizard
If you
have only a few volume licensing product
keys to change, you can use the
Activation Wizard.
Note:
Microsoft recommends that you run System
Restore to create a new restore point
before you complete the following steps:
-
Click
Start, and then click Run.
-
In the
Open box, type Regedit, and then
click OK.
-
In the
left pane, locate and then click the
following registry key:
-
In the
right pane, right-click OOBETimer,
and then click Modify.
-
Change
at least one digit of this value to
deactivate Windows.
-
Click
Start, and then click Run.
-
In the
Open box, type the following
command, and then click OK.
-
Click
Yes, I want to telephone a customer
service representative to activate
Windows, and then click Next.
-
Click
Change Product key.
-
Type
the new product key in the New key
boxes, and then click Update. If you
are returned to the previous window,
click Remind me later, and then
restart the computer.
-
Repeat
steps 6 and 7 to verify that Windows
is activated. You receive the
following message:
Windows is already activated.
Click OK to exit.
-
Click
OK.
-
Install SP1 for Windows XP.
If you
cannot restart Windows after you install
SP1, press F8 when you restart the
computer, select Last Known Good
Configuration, and then repeat this
procedure. |
