Change your product key windows xp professional

But if you're unsure, a quick way to tell is to install Service Pack 1. Please contact your system administrator or retailer immediately to obtain a valid Product Key…" You are dealing with a pirated copy of Windows.

For more information about obtaining a valid product key, see Microsoft Knowledge Base article The machine's product ID will be located under the Registered To section. None of the procedures described below will work without a legitimate product key. The script method is outlined in article and is designed to work on Corporate Edition installations that use a VLK and do not require activation.

It may work on a Home or Professional installation, but I have not tested this scenario. The script method is the practical solution for changing the product keys on a large number of machines. Regardless of the method you choose, make sure to backup important data before changing a product ID, since an unexpected problem could render the machine unbootable and necessitate a complete reinstallation of Windows.

The following instructions involve editing your system registry. Using the Windows Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that require the reinstallation of your operating system and possible loss of data.

TechRepublic does not support problems that arise from editing your registry. Use the Registry Editor and the following directions at your own risk. Change at least one character of this value to either a number from 0 to 9 or to a letter from A to F, then click OK and close the Registry Editor. This renders the current product key invalid and deactivates Windows.

By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Buy a genuine product key if yours is not genuine. Helpful 17 Not Helpful 7. Alternatively rely on the support and specific tools from a 3rd party company that complies with Microsoft policy.

Helpful 6 Not Helpful 1. Helpful 5 Not Helpful 5. Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. This will not work when the installation source and the product key are representative of varying licenses. Helpful 3 Not Helpful 1. Helpful 4 Not Helpful 4. Don't edit anything except what this article tells you to when you open, 'Regedit'. Doing so can cause system instability, changes in functionality, or worse, be unable to use Windows altogether.

Helpful 2 Not Helpful 4. Do not use any product keys that you find on any websites, these could cause you to fail the windows genuine advantage test as those keys are probable already one Microsoft's product key blacklists.

Failing this test loses your operating systems genuineness, restricts updates and displays annoying messages to buy a real product key.

Helpful 1 Not Helpful 3. You Might Also Like How to. How to. Co-authors: Updated: June 3, Categories: XP Instructions. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read , times. Is this article up to date? Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Office install. How to install Office. Redeem or activate. Office product keys. Activate Office. Install other apps. Set up mobile devices. Office updates.

Upgrade to the latest version. Troubleshoot and uninstall. Do one of the following: If you're signed in, select Use a different account , and then select Enter product key instead.

If you're not signed in, select Enter product key instead. If your product key is new, follow the prompts to complete the redemption process. Office begins the update process. Close all Office apps to finish the process. Type Command Prompt.

Select your Office and Windows version. Need more help? Join the discussion. Was this information helpful? Yes No. Thank you! Any more feedback? The more you tell us the more we can help. Can you help us improve?