How do i change my windows xp serial key

The script should take only a few seconds to run and won't prompt you for further action unless there's a problem, such as an invalid product key. As with the registry editing method, you can verify that Windows is now using a valid product key by running the command:.

The Product Activation Wizard will load and should tell you that your copy of Windows has already been activated. He has written thousands of articles and written or contributed to dozens of books on a variety of IT subjects. Determining if you have a valid product ID Hopefully you already know if you're dealing with a pirated copy of XP.

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Hide Comments. My Profile Log out. Although there are plenty of software applications that can change the product key installed in Windows XP automatically, but some users may prefer to manually change the product key by themselves. However, for some reason such as the need to change the product key to newly purchased genuine product key, especially when the existing installation of OS is pirated or illegal.

The situation also happens in big corporations which have volume licensing VL agreemnts with Microsoft, which tends to use a same VLK Volume License Key or leaked product key to activate all computers. To enter and make use of the new product key does not really require whole fresh re-installation of Windows XP. No account yet? Create an account. Edit this Article. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Cookie Settings. Learn why people trust wikiHow.

Download Article Explore this Article methods. Tips and Warnings. Related Articles. Article Summary. Note: The three methods presented here may need to be used together depending on the situation: Changing the Windows XP Product Key Manually - includes instructions for how to use a stock product key to activate Windows XP.

Using the Windows Key Finder - provides the detailed steps to get the product key from your device using Windows Key Finder. Fixing the Windows Activation Loop - is only required if you have already reached the time limit for activation and need to reset the loop.

Method 1. This will open the "Run" program from which you can access your PC's registry. Doing so will launch the Registry Editor tool. Review the options tree on the left side of your screen. You'll need to navigate through several of the folders listed here in order to reach your destination. Since the registry holds most of your computer's sensitive system information, consider clicking File and then Export in the top left corner of your screen to back up your registry before proceeding.

Click the "WPA Events" folder. Don't expand this one. You should see its contents listed in a window on the right side of the Registry Editor page. Click Modify. These should be several pairs and sequences of random numbers.

Tap Delete. This should remove the values listed here. Type in new numbers. It doesn't matter what you put here, but you'll need to keep the format consistent for example, if you deleted four characters, you'll need to replace that section with four characters.

Click OK once you're done. This will save your changes. Open the Run tool again. Exclude the quotation marks. Entering this command opens the Windows XP activation wizard. For best results, simply copy and paste this text into the Run field. Click OK. Select the telephone option. This option should say "Yes, I want to telephone a customer service representative to activate Windows" and there should be a clickable check box to the left of it.

If you see a note that says "Windows XP is already activated", changing your key manually isn't working. Please proceed to the Windows Key Finder method. Click Next. Click Change Product Key. This is at the bottom of the "Activate" window. Enter a Windows XP product key.

Note that you may have to attempt this step a few times with different keys. If you don't know the version of Windows XP your computer is currently running, consult your computer's manual to verify before you proceed with trying the linked product keys. Click Update. After this process completes, you'll need to confirm your activation of Windows XP.

Click Back. But if you're unsure, a quick way to tell is to install Service Pack 1. Please contact your system administrator or retailer immediately to obtain a valid Product Key…" You are dealing with a pirated copy of Windows. For more information about obtaining a valid product key, see Microsoft Knowledge Base article The machine's product ID will be located under the Registered To section.

None of the procedures described below will work without a legitimate product key. The script method is outlined in article and is designed to work on Corporate Edition installations that use a VLK and do not require activation.

It may work on a Home or Professional installation, but I have not tested this scenario. The script method is the practical solution for changing the product keys on a large number of machines. Regardless of the method you choose, make sure to backup important data before changing a product ID, since an unexpected problem could render the machine unbootable and necessitate a complete reinstallation of Windows.

The following instructions involve editing your system registry. Using the Windows Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that require the reinstallation of your operating system and possible loss of data.