Change my product key windows xp pro

Once Windows is running again, you will need to go through the standard activation procedure to complete the change of Product Key process. Automatically sign up today! Mark W. Kaelin has been writing and editing stories about the IT industry, gadgets, finance, accounting, and tech-life for more than 25 years. Most recently, he has been a regular contributor to BreakingModern.

This applet is going to perform a Genuine Microsoft Software check before it will allow you to change the Product Key. Figure A Update your product key and select your version of Windows. Note: Don't make the mistake I did, the applet will work much better if you use Internet Explorer. Assuming all of that is OK with you, click the I Understand check box and then click the Download button.

Maybe you've been hired by an organization that installed pirated copies of XP but now has a legitimate volume-licensing key VLK. Perhaps an end user purchased an additional retail license for XP but needs to use his original CD to install the software. When situations like these arise, changing XP's product key is often the most practical-or only-solution.

Hopefully you already know if you're dealing with a pirated copy of XP. But if you're unsure, a quick way to tell is to install Service Pack 1.

The Product Key used to install Windows is invalid. 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 You can also directly check the operating system's product ID by right-clicking on My Computer, clicking Properties, and selecting the General tab.

The machine's product ID will be located under the Registered To section. If the ID matches either of the two models commonly associated with VLK fraud, you'll need to obtain a valid XP product key before proceeding.

None of the procedures described below will work without a legitimate product key. 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. Author Info Last Updated: June 3, Method 1.

Type 'Regedit' in the white text field, and click OK. This should open the Registry Editor. Navigate to the following registry key. Select 'Yes, I want to telephone a customer service representative to activate Windows', then click next.

Type the new product key into the small white text fields and then click update. Check that you get a message similar to 'You have successfully activated your copy of Windows. Method 2. 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.

TechRepublic does not support problems that arise from editing your registry. Use the Registry Editor and the following directions at your own risk. Change at least one character of this value to either a number from 0 to 9 or to a letter from A to F, then click OK and close the Registry Editor.

This renders the current product key invalid and deactivates Windows.