[clarky23]

OK....I had to get my computer up for my home business, but the computer came before the new Windows CD/Key....so I had to use the CD/Key that was on the old machine....new CD/Key arrived today....I haven't activated XP on the new machine yet....how can I change the Key before I activiate, or do I have to call Microsoft. thanks in advance.

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The command to change the Product key in Windows XP is:

%systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a

Click Start > Run and type in: "%systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a"
Click Yes, I want to telephone a customer service representative to activate Windows, and then click Next
Click Change Product Key (at the bottom)
Enter your valid Product Key
Press Update and close the window.
If you are returned to the previous window, click Remind me later
Restart your computer

Edited by blsimpson, 10 June 2005 - 03:26 PM.

[blsimpson]

The command to change the Product key in Windows XP is:

%systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a

Click Start > Run and type in: "%systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a"
Click Yes, I want to telephone a customer service representative to activate Windows, and then click Next
Click Change Product Key (at the bottom)
Enter your valid Product Key
Press Update and close the window.
If you are returned to the previous window, click Remind me later
Restart your computer

Edited by blsimpson, 10 June 2005 - 03:26 PM.

[caspdown]

ok u need to edit regestry to do this so make a resotre point!!!

Click Start, and then click Run.

In the Open box, type Regedit, and then click OK.

In the left pane, locate and then click the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\Current Version\WPAEvents

In the right pane, right-click OOBETimer, and then click Modify.

Change at least one digit of this value to deactivate Windows.

Click Start, and then click Run.

In the Open box, type the following command, and then click OK.

%systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a

Click Yes, I want to telephone a customer service representative to activate Windows, and then click Next.

Click Change Product key.

Type the new product key in the New key boxes, and then click Update. If you are returned to the previous window, click Remind me later, and then restart the computer.

Repeat steps 6 and 7 to verify that Windows is activated. You receive the following message:

Windows is already activated. Click OK to exit.

Click OK.

FOLLOW THIS TO THE "T" AND MAKE A RESTORE POINT!

[blsimpson]

If you noticed, he said that he has not activated Windows yet. He does not have to edit the Registry. What I said will work.

[caspdown]

bleh my mistake so just do %systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a then and skip my other steps eheh

[robert12]

I tried this, got an headache AND did not work,
then tried jelly, did not work,

i hate to look like a commercials but here it is, XP KEY CHANGER:

Removed link to application requiring purchase before downloading.

it worked but consider this:

Pro:
- the customer support is quite fast and clear
- it is simple, easy to use
- does not need to connect to microsoft
- unexpensive

Neg:
- i had some troubles downloading it, they say it's because of the server
- for the reason above, i HAD to contact the customer support
- had to reinstall it on each machine (were many) to change the key on each of them

maybe this post will help someone