Be genuine windows xp

Note: The three methods presented here may need to be used together depending on the situation: Changing the Windows XP Product Key Manually - includes instructions for how to use a stock product key to activate Windows XP. Using the Windows Key Finder - provides the detailed steps to get the product key from your device using Windows Key Finder. Fixing the Windows Activation Loop - is only required if you have already reached the time limit for activation and need to reset the loop.

Method 1. This will open the "Run" program from which you can access your PC's registry. Doing so will launch the Registry Editor tool. Review the options tree on the left side of your screen. You'll need to navigate through several of the folders listed here in order to reach your destination. Since the registry holds most of your computer's sensitive system information, consider clicking File and then Export in the top left corner of your screen to back up your registry before proceeding.

Click the "WPA Events" folder. Don't expand this one. You should see its contents listed in a window on the right side of the Registry Editor page. Click Modify. These should be several pairs and sequences of random numbers. Tap Delete. This should remove the values listed here. Type in new numbers. It doesn't matter what you put here, but you'll need to keep the format consistent for example, if you deleted four characters, you'll need to replace that section with four characters.

Click OK once you're done. This will save your changes. Open the Run tool again. Exclude the quotation marks. Entering this command opens the Windows XP activation wizard. For best results, simply copy and paste this text into the Run field.

Click OK. Select the telephone option. This option should say "Yes, I want to telephone a customer service representative to activate Windows" and there should be a clickable check box to the left of it. If you see a note that says "Windows XP is already activated", changing your key manually isn't working. Please proceed to the Windows Key Finder method. Click Next. Click Change Product Key. This is at the bottom of the "Activate" window.

Enter a Windows XP product key. Note that you may have to attempt this step a few times with different keys. If you don't know the version of Windows XP your computer is currently running, consult your computer's manual to verify before you proceed with trying the linked product keys. Click Update. After this process completes, you'll need to confirm your activation of Windows XP. Click Back. Check the "Activate Windows over the Internet" option.

This will allow you to activate your version of XP quickly. Note that calling Microsoft using the "telephone a customer representative" option likely won't work since Microsoft discontinued support for Windows XP on April 8th, Follow the on-screen instructions.

After you've completed your Windows XP activation, you should be able to use it without getting locked out of the system. Method 2. Open the Winkey Finder website. Winkey Finder is a free, no-install program that can locate and retrieve your Windows XP product key. Click on the latest version of Winkey Finder. As of January , this is version 2.

Since this version is currently in beta, you can also download the final version of 1. Click Download Winkey Finder. You should see this button at the bottom of the Winkey version page. Right-click the Winkey folder. It should be wherever you chose to save it when you clicked Download e.

Click Extract All. Doing so will extract the locked file's contents onto your desktop. Double-click the Winkey Finder folder. This is the one you just extracted. Double-click the Win Keyfinder program. It should be the only executable ". View your product key. Running the Winkey Finder program should immediately display your Windows XP product key, allowing you to apply the key to the Windows XP activation wizard the next time Windows asks you to update.

To be safe, be sure to write down the product key when you see it. Method 3. Restart your computer. You can choose this option from the Start menu, or you can simply hold down your computer's power button until it turns itself off and then press the button again.

Tap F8 as soon as your computer logo appears. The technology has been a debated subject ever since. Consumers are able to be informed whether they have a genuine license or not, and it also provides exclusive access to updates and services. Regardless of this, pirates have still managed to work around product activation, either by using Volume Licenses activated through alternate servers or illegally distributed licenses intended for a particular channel.

We discussed this extensively in previous Notebooks. I was able to fix this problem by starting the PC in safe mode with command prompt. I then typed 'explorer' into the command prompt to load Windows. I used it, I admit, but am now 'legal. As part of the new Windows Genuine Advantage campaign, customers running Volume License distributions used by large businesses are now required to activate their licenses.

This can be done using different methods. Activating Windows is one of the easiest task you will ever do. If you purchase a retail boxed license and upgrade to Windows 7, the operating system will automatically attempt Internet Activation after 3 days as long as you are connected to the Internet.

If not, you are given a 27 day grace period within which to Activate Windows. If you choose not to activate Windows, the operating system will go into what is called Reduced Functional mode. Meaning, certain functionality will be disabled. A Windows 7 installation in Reduced functional mode notice the watermark at the right hand corner. Activating Windows 7 manually is very simple. First of all, you need to make sure you have a working Internet connection.

Once that is confirmed, go on to the next step. Within seconds you should be automatically activated. If not, there are a number of factors that could be preventing you from activating. It is possible Microsoft Activation Servers are overwhelmed at the moment. Give it some time and try again later. Again, you could be running a non-genuine installation or using a black listed product key. We will find out more about this later in the article. Use the toll free number and hold on to speak with a customer agent.

Another work around for Activation is to extend Activation Grace Period for another 30 days. You can do this up to 4 times 3 times for volume licenses for a total of days extension.

After this grace period, you will need to make sure Windows is activated. Click Start, type: CMD. If you would like to see how many rearms you have left, open another command prompt and type slmgr. A small window will appear on screen with the details. You will also notice that the The copy of Windows is not genuine watermark is removed.

If you do have to activate manually and you encounter problems, here are some suggestions and solutions. There are a number of factors that can cause this. Click Change Product Key. Enter your key. Click Update. Did this summary help you? Yes No. Log in Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue.

No account yet? Create an account. Edit this Article. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Cookie Settings. Learn why people trust wikiHow. Download Article Explore this Article Steps. Tips and Warnings. Related Articles. Article Summary. Author Info Last Updated: May 6, In the Edit Binary Value window, remove all the values in the value data box.

Click OK and close the registry editor. In the Activate Windows wizard, chose the second option. Enter your genuine key in the New Key box and click on Update. Check whether your Windows XP is genuine optional. Select Permissions and set permissions to deny for all groups and users. After rebooting, the machine put the values back. If you deny permissions, it can't reset. Boot up in Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

At the cmd window, type "explorer" or "explorer.