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How To Change The Product ID in Windows XP
How To Change The Product ID in Windows XP
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SUMMARY
This article describes how to change the Windows Product ID for a current installation of Windows XP.
If you acquired an additional license, you may have to change the Product ID to activate a second installation of Windows XP by
using your original CD-ROM. If you installed Windows XP on a second computer by using the original CD-ROM, and then
purchased another copy of Windows XP, you may want to change the Product ID and then activate the new installation, instead
of reinstalling Windows XP.
See the "More Information" section of this article for details about the purchase of an additional license for your retail version of
Windows XP.
MORE INFORMATION
WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your
operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use
Registry Editor at your own risk.
When you acquire a new Product ID for your Windows XP installation, follow these steps to change the Product Identification
number:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
In the right pane, right-click the OOBETimer binary value, 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 :
%systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a
9.
10.
11.
12.
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.
Product Activation works by confirming that the software product key or Product Identification number (required as part of
product installation) has not been used on more computers than is permitted by the software license. Activations on the same
computer that use the same product key are unlimited. Product Activation discourages piracy by limiting the number of times
that a product key can be activated on different computers.
For more information about Windows Product Activation, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/basics/activation/mpafaq.asp#policies
For more information about how to purchase a second license for your current copy of Windows XP, visit the following Microsoft
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=321636
10/5/2003
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Web site:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/pricingretail.asp
NOTE: You can also purchase an additional license for a retail version of Windows XP by calling (888) 571-2048 (United States
only).
For additional information about Windows Product Activation, click the article numbers below to view the articles in the
Microsoft Knowledge Base:
302806 Description of Microsoft Product Activation
302878 Frequently Asked Questions About Microsoft Product Activation
Contact Us
2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of use Security & Privacy Accessibility
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=321636
10/5/2003