Changing CD-Key without reinstalling

[Whoosh25]

Yep ...finally bought an official copy of XP pro.

Is there a way of changing the old "Evaluation" CD-Key to a good one without re-installing everything?

Any tips is appreciated..thanks

 

[TheBlueRaja]

<removed>

I know your joking, but still... o_87

 

[Hipster Doofus]

Do a search. This was discussed a couple of months ago. It was even posted on the front page so it is here.........somewhere.

 

[TheBlueRaja]

Ok ok, im a Baaaaaad man....

 

[Shamus MacNoob]

yes it was

And the proper way is to use repair ..... and just pop in the new key was on front page and was in the forums ........ just use the repair option and it works fine .... dont reinstall with repair you wont loose any settings at all

 

[Vorpal]

1. Run regedit and go to: HKey_Local_Machine\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\Current Version\WPAEvents,
on the right double click on "oobetimer" and change at least one digit of this value to deactivate Windows.

2. Choose run from start menu and type in this command:
%systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a ( where %systemroot% is most likely C:\WINDOWS\ ) to get the activation screen and go to the second option which is activate by phone.
C:\Windows\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a

3. In the new screen choose the option to change product key, and type in the new product key ( corporate one only ).

4. Close that window, reboot your system and enter the command in step 2 for the second time to verify your activation , you should see "Windows is already activated".

 

[Sage]

here is the thread

http://www.xp-erience.org/sections.php?op=viewarticle&artid=170