Windows XP
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Change Windows XP CD key (Volume key to OEM key)
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.
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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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.
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.
Create a textfile (change.txt) and add the following key:
REGEDIT4
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWA
"OOBETimer"=hex:ff,ff,ff,f
Rename it to change.reg
Run at the cmd "regedit /s change.reg"
next run the next line in the cmd:
%SYSTEMROOT%\system32\oobe
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
REGEDIT4
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWA
"OOBETimer"=hex:ff,ff,ff,f
Rename it to change.reg
Run at the cmd "regedit /s change.reg"
next run the next line in the cmd:
%SYSTEMROOT%\system32\oobe
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
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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.
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Windows XP
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Microsoft Windows XP is the sixth release of the NT series of operating systems, and was the first to be marketed in a variety of editions: XP Home and XP Professional, designed for business and power users. The advanced features in XP Professional are generally disabled in Home Edition, but are there and can be activated. There were two 64-bit editions, an embedded edition and a tablet edition.