Change WinXP CD Key using WPA
It is possible to change the WinXP CD Key without reinstalling completely.
- Run System Restore to create a new Checkpoint. So that you can rollback if something goes wrong
- Start regedit and change at least one digit of the “oobetimer” value:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \SOFTWARE \Microsoft \Windows NT\CurrentVersion \WPAEvents]
oobetimer = ? (Change at least one digit) - Start the Windows Product Activation (WPA) screen by running this command:
%systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a
- At the activation screen, select the option to “Activate by Phone”
- At the product key change screen, type in your new product key (Make sure to use a key which match your Windows license)
- If it returns to the activation screen, after typing in the new key, click “Remind me later”
- Close the window and reboot the machine
- After the reboot run the command to start the Activation Screen again and make sure that it says “Windows is already activated”
Note the new CD-Key has to match the license of the installation. If having installed a WinXP Pro Corporate Edition (Pirated Version), then the new CD-key must be a corporate CD-key (And not a Retail or OEM CD-key).
More Info MS KB328874
More Info MS KB842196
More Info MS KB918342
Related Change WinXP license before installing
Related Retrieve a lost CD-Key from registry
Related Save the WinXP Product Activation before reinstall
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