Question

Change Windows XP CD key (Volume key to OEM key)

Asked by: vectorform

Hello,

I am looking for a way to change my Windows XP CD key from the current key (a volume license key) to the OEM key that came with the computer.

I had to format the PC a while back, and not thinking about licensing/validation concerns, used a volume license key I had, because I had that copy of XP handy and had left my OEM copy at the office.

Now since Microsoft is requiring validation for everything I would like to use my OEM key, without having to reformat.  

I am running Win XP SP2 so Microsoft's article about changing it in SP1 will not work for me.  I tried using a program called Magic Jelly bean Keyfinder, but when I try to change the key, it says it is invalid.  I am reading the key right off the OEM sticker on the desktop so I know it is correct.  I suspect the issue is that I am switching from a volume license key to an OEM key, but I could be wrong.

Any help would be appreciated.  

Thanks.

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Asked On
2006-02-16 at 13:02:44ID21740048
Tags

key

,

change

,

oem

,

xp

,

windows

Topic

Windows XP Operating System

Participating Experts
3
Points
500
Comments
4

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Answers

 

by: KellyCraigPosted on 2006-02-16 at 13:07:01ID: 15975191

Go to Control Panel and Add Remove Programs.

SP2 is a program you can uninstall and basically roll back your computer to SP1 and then follow the instructions you found in Microsoft's article.

Other than that?
you can change it in your Registry, but I believe it would be over your head and too long of a process to post here.

 

by: wwwallyPosted on 2006-02-16 at 15:34:36ID: 15976620

Create a textfile (change.txt) and add the following key:

REGEDIT4

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\WPAEvents]
"OOBETimer"=hex:ff,ff,ff,ff,ff,ff,ff

Rename it to change.reg
Run at the cmd "regedit /s change.reg"

next run the next line in the cmd:
%SYSTEMROOT%\system32\oobe\msoobe /a

Select "Please select Yes I want to telephone a customer service representative to activate windows"
click next and enter your location then click change product key,now enter your new key, then select update.

Your key is changed

Good Luck,

Walter


 

by: carl_legerePosted on 2006-02-16 at 17:15:20ID: 15977178

www- that will not work, it is only for changing from VLK to VLK
must use repair install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

sorry, i know it sucks but it is the only way.  You will not loose user settings, software, etc. you will loose updates.  You will loose XP SP2 unless you slipstream SP2 into your OEM media with nlite.
http://www.nliteos.com/

 

by: vectorformPosted on 2006-02-17 at 21:01:37ID: 15987143

I tried to do a sysprep, which was a solution in another thread, but when I restarted it said setup was not complete.  Didn't try www's solution after what carl said.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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