Discussion Locked

Hide and Seek

0 helpful
5 replies
Closed to new repliesThis discussion is closed. It stays readable, but it takes no new replies.
Is it possible to find and change the product ID key in windows xp.

5 replies

by thechas

To the best of my knowledge, no.

There is a multi-step process with XP installations.

The Product Key, unlocks the files on the CD.

From the product key, a system serial number is generated.

When you activate XP, a third serial (system ID) number is generated.
This number identifies both the CD key (via the serial number) and the system hardware.

If you could change the Product Key, you would likely generate an actication event.

Chas

by bladedthoth

While it is possible, as I have seen it done, it will not update it with Microsoft's database as being "Released". The old serial number will still be ascociated with your current computer that it is on, and pose some issues down the road, especially if you go back and reuse the number.

I know with Office XP, when you 'upgrade', it forces you to go through the registration process, and quite frequently, to the irritation of many clients, the old S/N is flagged as 'cloned', or used more thanonce to register a product, causing you to call in and explain to them what happened. You can choose to input another serial number.

I'm not sure about it, Windows XP has been more leinient about upgrades (Still requiring you to register, but notflagging your S/N), it doesn't ask you to reinput your S/N. It might be possible to force the registration process a second time, however. I'll look into it, and see what I can do. :)

This discussion is closed to new replies.