Changing the product key that you used to install Windows with might be necessary if you find out that your current product key is.. well, illegal, and you've purchased a new copy of Windows to solve the problem.
Microsoft Windows XP Professional The last serial number for this program was added to our data base on November 24, 2016 601 visitors told us the serial is good, 209 guys said the number is bad.
While it's probably less common these days, many people still use product key generators or other illegal tools to get product keys that work to install Windows only to find out later, when they try to activate Windows, that their original plan isn't going to work out.
You could completely reinstall Windows using your new, valid key code, but changing the product key without reinstalling is considerably easier. You can change the product key manually by making certain registry changes or by using a wizard available in Control Panel.
The steps involved in changing your product key differ considerably depending on which Windows operating system you're using. See our article What Version of Windows Do I Have? if you're not sure.
How to Change the Product Key in Windows 10, 8, 7, and Vista
Since some versions of Windows use slightly different names for some menus and windows pay close attention to the differences that are called out in those steps.
- Open Control Panel.
- In Windows 10 or Windows 8, the quickest way to do that is with the Power User Menu via the WIN+X keyboard shortcut.
- In Windows 7 or Windows Vista, go to Start and then Control Panel.
- Click or tap on the System and Security link (10/8/7) or System and Maintenance link (Vista).If you're viewing the Small icons or Large icons view (10/8/7) or Classic View (Vista) of Control Panel, you won't see this link. Simply open the System icon and proceed to Step 4.
- In the Windows activation area of the System window (10/8/7) or View basic information about your computer window (Vista), you'll see the status of your Windows activation and your Product ID number.The Product ID is not the same as your product key. To display your product key, see How to Find Microsoft Windows Product Keys.
- Next to the Product ID, you should see an Activate Windows (Windows 10) link or Change product key (8/7/Vista) link. Click or tap on this link to start the process of changing your Windows product key.If you're using Windows 10, an extra step is required here. In the Settings window that opens next, choose Change product key.
- In Windows 10 and Windows 8, enter the product key into the Enter a product key window.In Windows 7 and Windows Vista, the key should be entered into a screen called Windows Activation. Microsoft winzip for windows 7.If you're using Windows 10 or Windows 8, the key will be submitted once all the characters have been entered. In Windows 7 and Vista, press Next to continue.
- Wait on the Activating Windows.. message until the progress bar is complete. Windows is communicating with Microsoft to make sure that your product key is valid and to reactivate Windows.
- The Activation was successful message will appear after your product key has been validated and Windows has been activated.
- That's all there is to it! Your Windows product key has been changed.
Tap or click Close to close this window. You can now also close any other windows you opened in the above steps.
How to Change the Windows XP Product Key
A completely different process is required to change the Windows XP product key code because you have to make changes to the Windows Registry. It's important to take great care in making only the changes described below!
It's highly recommended that you back up the registry keys you're changing in these steps as an extra precaution.
If you're uncomfortable making registry changes in order to change your Windows XP product key, using the popular free product key finder program called Winkeyfinder is another option. It's an excellent alternative solution to changing the Windows XP product key code manually.
Prefer screenshots? Try our Step by Step Guide to Changing the Windows XP Product Key for an easy walkthrough!
- Open Registry Editor via Start > Run. From there, type regedit and click OK.
- Locate the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE folder under My Computer and click on the plus sign (+) next the folder name to expand the folder.
- Continue to expand folders until you reach the following registry key:
- In the results that appear in the window on the right, locate OOBETimer.
- Right-click on the OOBETimer entry and choose Modify from the resulting menu.
- Change at least one digit in the Value data text box and click OK. This will deactivate Windows XP.
- In the text box in the Run window, type the following command and click OK.
- When the Let's activate Windows window appears, choose Yes, I want to telephone a customer service representative to activate Windows and then click Next.
- Click the Change Product Key button at the bottom of the window.Don't worry about filling anything out on this screen. It's not necessary.
- Type your new, valid Windows XP product key in the New key: text boxes and then click the Update button.
- Now reactivate Windows XP by following the instructions on the Activate Windows by phone window, which you should now be seeing, or via the internet by clicking the Back button and following the instructions on that screen.If you'd rather postpone activating Windows XP until a later date, you can click the Remind me later button.
- After activating Windows XP, you can verify that activation was successful by repeating steps 9 and 10 above.
The Windows Product Activation window that appears should say 'Windows is already activated. Click OK to exit.'
Windows Xp Serial Key Generator
Click OK and you're done!
You may need a serial number and product key to activate someAutodesk software.
Note: If you are on subscription, you may no longer need toenter a serial number or product key; you just need to signin. Serial numbers are never required for launching productswith network licenses.
Serial Number Locations
Serial numbers are unique codes associated with your AutodeskAccount and a particular product that you have purchased or isotherwise available to you. For 2014 versions and later, you canfind them in Autodesk Account, on the Management tab. Depending onyour license type, you may not need a serial number to launch yourproduct.
Autodesk Account
The Management tab of your Autodesk Account page stores theserial numbers and product keys for each licensed product.
Note about serial number visibility in AutodeskAccount: Only account administrators, such as ContractManagers and Software Coordinators, and Named Users with assignedsoftware benefits will see serial numbers in Autodesk Account.You are the account administrator if you purchased a softwaresubscription using your Autodesk Account or were assigned the roleof Contract Manager or Software Coordinator by your company. If youdo not see the software you wish to activate in your Autodeskaccount or see the message 'Contact your admin for serial numbers,'you need to contact the account administrator. Only anadministrator can assign you as a Named User or End User and giveyou permissions to download and activate the software.
Education Community
When students, educators, and educational institutions downloadproducts from the Education Community,the product serial numbers are found in the followinglocations:
- Displayed at the time of download
- Sent by email
- On the Management tab in Autodesk Account
See:FindSerial Numbers & Product Keys for Educational Licenses
Physical Media
Serial Numbers do not appear on software packaging forAutodesk software versions 2014 and newer. Serial numbers for theseversions are emailed to you after you place an order or can befound in AutodeskAccount.
If you have physical media (a DVD or USB key) for a 2013or earlier product, your serial number and productkey will be printed on the label of the productpackaging.
Example of label from 2011 version. Format is similar for 2010- 2013 product releases.
Product Key Locations
Product keys are codes that identify each productversion.
- You can find product keys for recent versions of your productin Autodesk Account, on the Management tab.
- To look up a product key for a particular product version (2010and later), you can also go to: Look UpProduct Keys.
Older product keys
If you can't find the product key for older versions ofAutodesk software (2013 and later), you may be able to findit in a text file in the installation folder.
To determine if your product key is available inyour installation folder:
- Using your installation media, (USB key, DVD, download folder,etc.) navigate to the folder that contains the setup.exefile for your Autodesk product.
- In that folder, look for a file named MID.txt,MID01.txt, MID02.txt or some variation on thatname.
- Open this file in Notepad and verify that the product name iscorrect.
- The first five characters of the part number should also be theproduct key for that product.
Example:
Windows Xp Product Key Number
MID:Autodesk_Design_Suite_Ultimate_2012_64bit_SWL_ENU_C009_EXE1
Product Name: Autodesk Design Suite Ultimate 2012
Platform: Windows XP/Vista/Win7
Media: ESD
Part Number: 769D1-05Y001-P503E,769D1-05Y001-P504E
Product Name: Autodesk Design Suite Ultimate 2012
Platform: Windows XP/Vista/Win7
Media: ESD
Part Number: 769D1-05Y001-P503E,769D1-05Y001-P504E