How to change a windows xp pro installation from Corporate to OEM

Greeting Naser,
unfortunately upgrading over existing one doesn't change the "flavour" from corp to oem, and the links you provided just point to "things that I already know 1" (see my question)

and next time you install xp - go straight to the ms update site and choose to not ever downlado and install the Windows Genuine Advantage Tool - i belive this is different to the tool used to check if you're genuine when downloading certain apps from their site

Microsoft requires you to load the 'Genuine Advantage' as it checks for all pirated and volume licence keys that have been compromised.. The only advantage it provides is that if you have an illegal copy of windows they don't let you download anything..  you pretty much can't do anything with Windows XP as far as updates or downloads without using it.

Actually you are not required to have the genuine advantage check installed to receive all
updates.

Without the Genuine Advantage I believe you still receive SECURITY updates. The only things
you will not receive are enhancements to the OS, Bug Fixes, and/or updates to your MS Applications
and drivers.

In most cases once you've disabled, you can operate normally and safely.

BUT, if you are having hardware compatability issues, or program compatability issues with
the OS, this is where you will run into problems.

If I were you, I would make a WindowXP boot disk set or CD, reformat the HD, and install the
OEM version. It is PRO and yes it will require a few hours of updates (and that's on a High Speed Connection!!)
but if problems and mild annoyances are bothering you that much.. The time spent would be worth it.

check our EE solution here
 Title: XP Pro - Corp to Retail / OEM
 I converted XP Pro corp to use a XP Pro retail key quite recently. Microsoft even supply a tool to do it: http://catalog.microsoft.com/genuine/purchase/UpdateInstructions.aspx I didn't have to reinstall anything, I didn't even have to insert the XP disk.
http://www.experts-exchange.com/Operating_Systems/Q_21851820.html

I don't think you can do what you want to do without reinstalling windows from your OEM disk. If it's really only because of the annoying WGA messages that you want to remove, then try this: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/921914

smiffy13
but the kb921914 explain how to uninstall the "beta" version of wga. Which works also with the final version appearentlyl but that's a temporary solution. As soon as MS release a new version (usually every 1-2 months) , you will get it back.

if you go to the Microsoft Update website - then go to the Administrative options you can find the Notification Tool and choose to Never Download/Install this app.

Also in your automatical update too in windows (goto Control Panel and find it in there - Security applet) set the option to automatically download updates but manually install them. When you go to manually install any updates that your PC has downloaded and choose the Custom installation - which shows all the updates that have been downloaded. if you see the Genuine Windows Tool in the list, untick it and select the option to Never install this item. Keep doing this with all updates just in case an updated version of the tool is downloaded again. This procedure works fine for me.

Ryan R

The kb921914 fix only disables the wga message, it doesn't try to make your windows version appear legitimate. As the fix is supplied by microsoft, why would they issue an update to bring the msg back?

No it doesn't make anything legit - it just stops that annoying message thingy from getting installed on your PC.
Just covering the possibilities - M$ may reissue a different version of it so that it gets installed on PCs where the users think they have already stopped it.

As has already appened, as soon as M$ release a new version of it, it will get installed and enabled again

Please close with points refund

<<Just covering the possibilities - M$ may reissue a different version of it so that it gets installed on PCs where the users think they have already stopped it.>>

Seems like I was right (not that it requires points as a reward) - MS has released another WGA tool that recently got put on my HDD though - no probs for me though - it just got me to activate again and then it dissapeared out of the sys tray.

RR

PS - lbertacco
If you suspect your copy of XP isn't legit and you want to go out and change all that, just let the WGA (Windows genuine Advantage) Update be installed on that PC and it should give you options to get yourself legally using XP. If it's not already downloaded it probably will be the next time you connect to the net (depending whether you have automatically donwload & install updates set). If you put this on by mistake - your only chance is to possibly repair using an OEM disc or more likely re-format your HDD and install XP OEM from scratch.

Needless to say - but BACKUP YOUR FILES just in case you lose them.

lbertacco may not be completly happy with the outcome for his own personal reasons, but I think there is valuable info posted in here and that a split should be granted as Netminder has recommended