Changing Windows CD Key

  • Thread starter Thread starter S_Nyaya
  • Start date Start date
S

S_Nyaya

Hi,

I shall be glad if someone can give me pointers if this can be done:

I need to reinstall Windows XP Pro on one machine that already has a
perfectly working and valid OS (same) on it. However, the user is no longer
working with the company in where he had installed that OS (it was a
Corporate Edition).

He has already purchased another copy of the OS. I am only the tech and do
not really know why he needs to do the change though! The laptop belongs to
him and I guess he just wants his "own" OS installed on it.

Instead of doing a clean wipe and reinstalling everything - is there a way
to change just the Serial number (using it from the new copy) and activate
and register it with that new key?

I am just exploring this possibility because the machine as of now has
several utilities on it which will take me a while to gather and reinstall
and configure all over again! And the machine works superbly as of now!

One friend here said it might not be possible because the original installed
OS was a Corporate Edition while the key to the new SW is that of an
individual install. I just want to make sure.

Regards and thanks in anticipation.

Satyanyaya
 
You'll have to use the new Windows XP Pro CD and
Product Key and proceed with a "Repair Install".

How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.­com/XPrepairinstall.htm

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User
Microsoft Newsgroups

Get Windows XP Service Pack 2 with Advanced Security Technologies:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/windowsxp/choose.mspx

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| Hi,
|
| I shall be glad if someone can give me pointers if this can be done:
|
| I need to reinstall Windows XP Pro on one machine that already has a
| perfectly working and valid OS (same) on it. However, the user is no longer
| working with the company in where he had installed that OS (it was a
| Corporate Edition).
|
| He has already purchased another copy of the OS. I am only the tech and do
| not really know why he needs to do the change though! The laptop belongs to
| him and I guess he just wants his "own" OS installed on it.
|
| Instead of doing a clean wipe and reinstalling everything - is there a way
| to change just the Serial number (using it from the new copy) and activate
| and register it with that new key?
|
| I am just exploring this possibility because the machine as of now has
| several utilities on it which will take me a while to gather and reinstall
| and configure all over again! And the machine works superbly as of now!
|
| One friend here said it might not be possible because the original installed
| OS was a Corporate Edition while the key to the new SW is that of an
| individual install. I just want to make sure.
|
| Regards and thanks in anticipation.
|
| Satyanyaya
 
S_Nyaya said:
Hi,

I shall be glad if someone can give me pointers if this can be done:

I need to reinstall Windows XP Pro on one machine that already has a
perfectly working and valid OS (same) on it. However, the user is no
longer working with the company in where he had installed that OS (it
was a Corporate Edition).

He has already purchased another copy of the OS. I am only the tech
and do not really know why he needs to do the change though! The
laptop belongs to him and I guess he just wants his "own" OS
installed on it.
Instead of doing a clean wipe and reinstalling everything - is there
a way to change just the Serial number (using it from the new copy)
and activate and register it with that new key?

I am just exploring this possibility because the machine as of now has
several utilities on it which will take me a while to gather and
reinstall and configure all over again! And the machine works
superbly as of now!
One friend here said it might not be possible because the original
installed OS was a Corporate Edition while the key to the new SW is
that of an individual install. I just want to make sure.

Regards and thanks in anticipation.

Satyanyaya
Click to expand...

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/xpfaqnojs.htm#18

--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.com/mscommunity
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei"
 
Hi,

or maybe remove the WPA files from the System 32 directory then
restart the computer and if everything went "fine", it should ask for a
reactivation
then ,you can use another key, it's faster than reinstall !
But, before, do a backup of your private or personnal files as usual

Try it and let us know

Thierry
--
Cordialement
Thierry Mathijs
Microsoft MVP Windows XP & Moooh! Shell Users
Microsoft Associate Expert
Think different !! http://www.microsoft.com/belux/fr/piracy/
http://www.msmvps.com/XPditif/
 
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/xpfaqnojs.htm#18

--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.com/mscommunity
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei"
-
Click to expand...

Ooops , better safe than my solution ... and it s on our FAQ too..
I need some rest ;-))
http://a.vouillon.free.fr/faq-winxp.htm#160 :-)
Thanks

Thierry

-
Cordialement
Thierry Mathijs
Microsoft MVP Windows XP & Moooh! Shell Users
Microsoft Associate Expert
Tel: + 32 495/ 326973
Alternate mail: (e-mail address removed)
Think different !! http://www.microsoft.com/belux/fr/piracy/
http://www.msmvps.com/XPditif/
 
S_Nyaya said:
Hi,

I shall be glad if someone can give me pointers if this can be done:

I need to reinstall Windows XP Pro on one machine that already has a
perfectly working and valid OS (same) on it. However, the user is no longer
working with the company in where he had installed that OS (it was a
Corporate Edition).
Click to expand...


Actually, there is no such thing as WinXP "Corporate Edition."
That is a term applied exclusively to pirated (iow, stolen) copies of
the Volume Licensed WinXP Pro by the "warez" aficionados.

The currently installed Volume License probably belongs to your
user's former employer, not to the user. Therefore, he must remove and
replace the installation because he's no longer covered under the former
employer's license.

He has already purchased another copy of the OS. I am only the tech and do
not really know why he needs to do the change though! The laptop belongs to
him and I guess he just wants his "own" OS installed on it.
Click to expand...


If you were a more experienced "tech" you wouldn't even need to ask.
But we all had to start somewhere, so keep asking questions.

Instead of doing a clean wipe and reinstalling everything - is there a way
to change just the Serial number (using it from the new copy) and activate
and register it with that new key?
Click to expand...

No. Product Keys are bound to the specific type and language of
CD/license (OEM, Volume, retail, full, or Upgrade) with which they are
purchased. For example, a WinXP Home OEM Product Key won't work for any
retail version of WinXP Home, or for any version of WinXP Pro, and vice
versa. An upgrade's Product Key cannot be used with a full version CD,
and vice versa. An OEM Product Key will not work to install a retail
product. An Italian Product Key will not work with an English CD. Bottom
line: Product Keys and CD types cannot be mixed & matched.

You'll need to use the full retail copy of WinXP Pro to perform a
repair (a.k.a. in-place upgrade) installation, using the new CD and
Product Key.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade of Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/directory/article.asp?ID=KB;EN-US;Q315341


I am just exploring this possibility because the machine as of now has
several utilities on it which will take me a while to gather and reinstall
and configure all over again! And the machine works superbly as of now!

One friend here said it might not be possible because the original installed
OS was a Corporate Edition while the key to the new SW is that of an
individual install. I just want to make sure.
Click to expand...


Other than the fact that there's no such thing as a "Corporate
Edition," your friend is correct.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH
 
In
Bruce Chambers said:
Actually, there is no such thing as WinXP "Corporate Edition."
That is a term applied exclusively to pirated (iow, stolen) copies of
the Volume Licensed WinXP Pro by the "warez" aficionados.

The currently installed Volume License probably belongs to your
user's former employer, not to the user. Therefore, he must remove
and replace the installation because he's no longer covered under the
former employer's license.




If you were a more experienced "tech" you wouldn't even need to ask.
But we all had to start somewhere, so keep asking questions.



No. Product Keys are bound to the specific type and language of
CD/license (OEM, Volume, retail, full, or Upgrade) with which they are
purchased. For example, a WinXP Home OEM Product Key won't work for
any retail version of WinXP Home, or for any version of WinXP Pro,
and vice versa. An upgrade's Product Key cannot be used with a full
version CD, and vice versa. An OEM Product Key will not work to
install a retail product. An Italian Product Key will not work with
an English CD. Bottom line: Product Keys and CD types cannot be mixed
& matched.
You'll need to use the full retail copy of WinXP Pro to perform a
repair (a.k.a. in-place upgrade) installation, using the new CD and
Product Key.
Click to expand...

Bruce,
The OEM Pro version will also work, see the link below to my FAQ. It has
been verified from several posts that it does work.
Look for the Do a Repair Install Specialized information for using OEM XP
Pro CD to change "Corp" Product Key option.

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/xpfaqnojs.htm#18
--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm
 
This is simple. You need to purchase a retail version of XP Pro - in order
to get a legitimate key. Run the Magic Jellybean keyfinder from here
http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml . It will display the
current key. Click on Options in the Magic Jellybean menu and then select
Change key. Enter the legitimate key from the purchased version of XP Pro.
Reboot the system. You will be asked to Activate. Do so.
 
Hi,

Maybe it was a wrong choice of words in my posting - but the install is
perfectly legal (I said so in my OP). It was a Volume Licensed install that
I meant. Sorry!

The user wants to change it perhaps because there were non-technical issues
involved (not software-related) in re to his no longer being in their
employ. But that is none of my business - I am just the guy he brought the
laptop to this morning!

He has, as mentioned, already purchased a new XP Pro product.

It was me who did the posting because I wanted to save some time and labor
in the process! The laptop is loaded with software. It works perfectly as of
right now - which is why I wanted not to disturb anything in the first
place. But I still needed to explore if changing the Key would work - hence
the post!!!

Thanks very much for the responses. I am trying out the magicjellybean
utility later this evening and hope to post a not saying it went okay.

Satyanyaya
 
S_Nyaya said:
Hi,

Maybe it was a wrong choice of words in my posting - but the install
is perfectly legal (I said so in my OP). It was a Volume Licensed
install that I meant. Sorry!

The user wants to change it perhaps because there were non-technical
issues involved (not software-related) in re to his no longer being
in their employ. But that is none of my business - I am just the guy
he brought the laptop to this morning!

He has, as mentioned, already purchased a new XP Pro product.

It was me who did the posting because I wanted to save some time and
labor in the process! The laptop is loaded with software. It works
perfectly as of right now - which is why I wanted not to disturb
anything in the first place. But I still needed to explore if
changing the Key would work - hence the post!!!

Thanks very much for the responses. I am trying out the magicjellybean
utility later this evening and hope to post a not saying it went okay.
Click to expand...

That won't work. Use the info on Michael Stevens page.

--
Peace!
Kurt
Self-anointed Moderator
microscum.pubic.windowsexp.gonorrhea
http://microscum.com/mscommunity
"Trustworthy Computing" is only another example of an Oxymoron!
"Produkt-Aktivierung macht frei"
 
In
S_Nyaya said:
Hi,

Maybe it was a wrong choice of words in my posting - but the install
is perfectly legal (I said so in my OP). It was a Volume Licensed
install that I meant. Sorry!

The user wants to change it perhaps because there were non-technical
issues involved (not software-related) in re to his no longer being
in their employ. But that is none of my business - I am just the guy
he brought the laptop to this morning!

He has, as mentioned, already purchased a new XP Pro product.

It was me who did the posting because I wanted to save some time and
labor in the process! The laptop is loaded with software. It works
perfectly as of right now - which is why I wanted not to disturb
anything in the first place. But I still needed to explore if
changing the Key would work - hence the post!!!

Thanks very much for the responses. I am trying out the magicjellybean
utility later this evening and hope to post a not saying it went okay.

Satyanyaya
Click to expand...

Magicjellybean will only work with retail versions, if you want to use OEM
Pro to repair install a VLK, "Corporate" XP installation, see the link
below.
Change [Corporate, pirated VLK, etc.] Product Key with OEM Pro CD and valid
Product Key
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/xpfaqnojs.htm#oemrpin
--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm
 
Michael said:
Bruce,
The OEM Pro version will also work, see the link below to my FAQ. It has
been verified from several posts that it does work.
Look for the Do a Repair Install Specialized information for using OEM XP
Pro CD to change "Corp" Product Key option.

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/xpfaqnojs.htm#18
Click to expand...


Thanks, Mike. I'll try to remember to include that information in
future responses to this type of question.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH
 
Harry said:
This is simple. You need to purchase a retail version of XP Pro - in order
to get a legitimate key. Run the Magic Jellybean keyfinder from here
http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml . It will display the
current key. Click on Options in the Magic Jellybean menu and then select
Change key. Enter the legitimate key from the purchased version of XP Pro.
Reboot the system. You will be asked to Activate. Do so.
Click to expand...


Harry, have you verified that Magic Jellybean can change the Product
Key when two disparate (VL and retail, in this case) are involved? And
if the Key can be changed, will the installation accept subsequent
service packs without a problem? I was of the understanding that
Product Keys and License types could not be mixed.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH
 
Bruce Chambers said:
Harry, have you verified that Magic Jellybean can change the Product Key
when two disparate (VL and retail, in this case) are involved? And if the
Key can be changed, will the installation accept subsequent service packs
without a problem? I was of the understanding that Product Keys and
License types could not be mixed.
Click to expand...
You are right Bruce. I stand corrected. Thanks. Magical Jellybean will not
accept a non-VL key on a VL install.
 
Please accept my apology. The MJB keyfinder will not allow for the
substitution of a non-VL key on a VL install of XP.

--

Harry Ohrn MS-MVP [Shell/User]
www.webtree.ca/windowsxp


Harry Ohrn said:
This is simple. You need to purchase a retail version of XP Pro - in order
to get a legitimate key. Run the Magic Jellybean keyfinder from here
http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml . It will display the
current key. Click on Options in the Magic Jellybean menu and then select
Change key. Enter the legitimate key from the purchased version of XP Pro.
Reboot the system. You will be asked to Activate. Do so.

--

Harry Ohrn MS-MVP [Shell/User]
www.webtree.ca/windowsxp


S_Nyaya said:
Hi,

I shall be glad if someone can give me pointers if this can be done:

I need to reinstall Windows XP Pro on one machine that already has a
perfectly working and valid OS (same) on it. However, the user is no
longer working with the company in where he had installed that OS (it was
a Corporate Edition).

He has already purchased another copy of the OS. I am only the tech and
do not really know why he needs to do the change though! The laptop
belongs to him and I guess he just wants his "own" OS installed on it.

Instead of doing a clean wipe and reinstalling everything - is there a
way to change just the Serial number (using it from the new copy) and
activate and register it with that new key?

I am just exploring this possibility because the machine as of now has
several utilities on it which will take me a while to gather and
reinstall and configure all over again! And the machine works superbly as
of now!

One friend here said it might not be possible because the original
installed OS was a Corporate Edition while the key to the new SW is that
of an individual install. I just want to make sure.

Regards and thanks in anticipation.

Satyanyaya
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Harry said:
You are right Bruce. I stand corrected. Thanks. Magical Jellybean will not
accept a non-VL key on a VL install.
Click to expand...


No problem. I just wanted to be sure that I've not been giving out
incorrect information.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH
 
Bruce Chambers said:
No problem. I just wanted to be sure that I've not been giving out
incorrect information.
Click to expand...

I was certain that I had been able to swap keys out once upon a time using a
regular XP Pro key to replace a VL Key. Anyway I can't repo it now.
 
Back
Top