How to Change a Windows CD Key

Make a Windows Registry modification to change the CD Key.

The first time that you install the Windows operating system using the installation CD, you are prompted to enter a valid product key that is printed on the installation disk. If you purchase another copy of the Windows operating system after entering the initial product key and would like to change the CD key, you can do so by editing your computer's registry.

Things You'll Need

• PC running Windows XP or later

Instructions

1. Open the Start menu and click on the "Run" icon.

2. Type "regedit" into the text field and hit the "Enter" key to launch the registry editor.

3. Navigate to the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\Software\\Microsoft\\WindowsNT\\Current Version\\WPAEvents section of the registry.

4. Highlight the registry entry labeled "OOBETimer" and choose "Modify" from the "Edit" menu.

5. Change any value in the "Edit" window and click "OK." This unregisters the Windows XP CD key and will allow you to change it later on.

6. Open the Start menu and click on the "Run" icon again.

7. Type "%systemroot%\\system32\\oobe\\msoobe.exe /a" into the text field and hit "Enter."

8. Click "Next" and then click on the "Change Product Key" button.

9. Enter the new Window CD product key and click "Update."

References

• Microsoft: How to Change the Volume Licensing Key