How to Enter a New XP Product Key
- 1). Click on "Start" and then the "Run" icon. Type "regedit" and click "OK."
- 2). Browse to the left side of the window to the key named "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\Current Version\WPAEvents." Find the "ODBETimer" subkey in the right side of the window. Right-click on it and choose "Modify."
- 3). Change any one number in the value to another number or a letter from A through F. Click "OK." Shut the Registry Editor.
- 4). Press "Start" and click on "Run." Enter the command "C:\windows\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a" and click "OK."
- 5). Choose the option that reads "Yes, I want to telephone a customer service representative to activate Windows" when the Activation Wizard launches; you will not actually be calling Microsoft but must choose this option. Click "Next."
- 6). Pick "Change Product Key" on the next screen. Enter the new product key that you are changing to. Press "Update" and close the window. Choose "Remind Me Later" if returned to a previous screen in the Activation Wizard.
- 7). Restart the system to complete the change.
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