How to Backup a Windows XP License

Backing up your Windows Licence can save a lot of aggravation.

If you are enabling and disabling hardware or swapping parts for testing in Windows XP, the operating system may think you are trying to run a copied version and deactivate itself. In order to fix this, you need to call Microsoft, wait on the phone and then explain the problem to a tech support person or you can backup two small files and restore them when you are all done.

Instructions

1. Double-click "My Computer" and click on the drive on which you installed Windows.

2. Browse to the system root directory. If you are using a standard installation of Windows XP, it will be C:\windows\.

3. Open the "System32" folder.

4. Copy the files WPA.DBL and WPA.BAK to a new location on the computer or to a disk.

5. Perform the computer work.

6. Restore the files to their original place when you are done. If the computer asks if you want to overwrite the current files say "Yes."

Tips & Warnings

• These files will not allow you to pirate Windows XP nor will they let you auto-reactivate after formatting your system drive. They will usually work if the Windows installation was repaired using the original installation disk.

References

• Windows Support Center: Windows Product Activation (WPA) on Windows XP