How to Change the Product Key in XP Pro

Change Windows product key.

When you install Windows XP Professional, Microsoft requires a product license key before continuing the installation. Some Windows XP Professional copies came with a temporary key that allowed you to evaluate the operating system for 30 days. After 30 days, the operating system does not accept updates from Microsoft and some add-ons are disabled. You can change the license for your Windows XP copy in the registry.

Instructions

1. Click the "Start" menu button on your Windows task bar and select "Run." Enter "registry" and press "Enter." This opens your Windows registry.

2. Navigate to "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\Current Version\WPAEvents" in the system registry. In this registry key, double-click "OOBETimer" to open its value dialog window.

3. Delete the value in the registry key and press "OK." This disables the current Windows license.

4. Click the "Start" button again and select "Run." Enter the following text into the text box: c:\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a
   Click "OK" to start the wizard that guides you through changing the product key.

5. Select "Yes, I want to telephone a customer service representative to activate Windows" and click "Next." If you do not have a purchased copy of Windows, call the toll-free number to purchase a license directly from Microsoft. The customer representative takes your credit card information and gives you a new license key. Click "Change Key." Enter your new product key provided on your purchased Windows XP license package or provided by the customer representative. Click "OK" to save the changes.

References

• Microsoft: How to Change the Volume Licensing Product Key