How to Re-Install Windows XP Without Activation

Windows XP allows you to activate the same copy of Windows 25 times on the same computer. Once you've reached your limit, you must call Microsoft to activate Windows XP. Sometimes, the count limit is reached long before number 25. To prevent the need to activate Windows XP each time your reinstall or format, you can back up your current activation before you install. This fools Windows XP into believing the product has already been activated. The entire process is easy and legal.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Windows XP Installation Disk
• Copy of Current Activation

1. Back up your current Windows XP activation. Right-click "Start" and choose "Explore." Browse to "Windows -- System 32." Copy the files "wpa.dbl" and "wpabln" to a flash drive.

2. Insert the Windows XP installation disk into your computer and restart.

3. Boot from the CD. Press any key if prompted. If you're not prompted, press "F12" to reach the boot menu. Choose "CD-ROM" to continue. You must press "F12" before the Windows loading screen appears.

4. Press "F8" to agree to the license agreement. Press "Enter" to install Windows XP on the current partition. Choose "Format NTFS Quick" to format the partition for the installation.

5. Enter your license key, time zone, computer name, and network settings when prompted.

6. After the computer restarts, browse to the "System 32" folder from Step 1.
   Delete the files "wpa.dbl" and "wpabln." Replace them with the files you copied in Step 1.

7. Restart your computer and the activation reminder will disappear.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep the activation files with your Windows XP installation disk in the event you need to reinstall Windows XP in the future.
• Don't try to use the activation from one computer on another computer. This is illegal and will not work. This may not work correctly if you've recently replaced multiple hardware components such as hard drive, memory, and motherboard. If it doesn't work, you will need to activate the product and back up the new activation files before reinstalling in the future.