MS Method to Change XP Product Key & type from / to - Corp / OEM / Retail

[dman]

[edit] Changing the example to not involve IT [/edit]

A friend has a Dell / Compaq / HP / Gateway / IBM pc that the harddrive crashed and they never made and/or lost the recovery cd set. I went over to get them back running but the XP Home (/pro) cd I had didn't work with the key on the label on their computer. I used a temporary key to get it installed but now I'm stuck, how do I correctly enter the key if I don't have the vendor specific original recovery CD's?

Answer:

this link (MS Site)

From what I understand, it's only available to visit once you have failed the Genuine Advantage test.

Source:
Google Search
Source of Link, 5th one down in google search above, no affiliation, visit at your own risk

The MS file above scans your install (each file) for validity (for example, it may find a uxtheme.dll that was invalid, but, will let you ignore if you choose). It'll then let you enter in a(ny) valid key (apparently). Enter the one stuck to the PC which it should accept. After rebooting you will be 90% finished. If you used a VLK/Corp originally and switch to OEM you will have to activate upon reboot. If the install is > 30days old and/or the original key was flagged as bad you may have to call in to activate.

Please no posts like other threads that you can use the oobe /a windows script or magic jelly bean to do this... they don't work to let change a key type between OEM / Corp / Retail.

 

[nweaver]

shouldn't your IT take care of your laptop?

 

[dman]

[Edit] Removed IT Comment. It's not related to the point of this thread. [/edit]

 

[Zugzwang152]

quote edited out per dman's request.

 

[SunnyD]

Edited per dman's request.

 

[ProviaFan]

Ignore the threadcrappers... I appreciate the information; it should come in useful if I have to help any friends who wonder why their Windows Update isn't working any more. Thanks.

 

[NuroMancer]

Why not just download the disc you need for the key?

There is the all in one windows DVD for example, from which has all distros of winxp pro. Use that to install and windows and you'll be fine.

 

[RebateMonger]

I'm not understanding exactly what happened here:

You were using a pirated VLK version of XP?
You then followed a Microsoft link that allowed you to insert the original OEM key (from the back of the laptop)? This allowed you to change versions without doing a re-install of Windows?
You then called Microsoft, who gave you an Activation Key that worked with the "converted" VLK version of XP?

 

[dman]

Originally posted by: NuroMancer
Why not just download the disc you need for the key?

There is the all in one windows DVD for example, from which has all distros of winxp pro. Use that to install and windows and you'll be fine.

If you happen to trust a DVD downloaded from the net, then by all means. I've seen cases where those discs have viruses on them.

 

[jfunk]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger
I'm not understanding exactly what happened here:

You were using a pirated VLK version of XP?
You then followed a Microsoft link that allowed you to insert the original OEM key (from the back of the laptop)? This allowed you to change versions without doing a re-install of Windows?
You then called Microsoft, who gave you an Activation Key that worked with the "converted" VLK version of XP?

In a nutshell, yes. MS doesn't care if the key you entered initially is valid or not, they just want to make sure you have a valid key. I'm not entirely sure this would work if your valid key was for Home instead of XP Pro, as they may have a problem with you getting the "upgrade" for free, but this is otherwise completely normal.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: dman
If you happen to trust a DVD downloaded from the net, then by all means. I've seen cases where those discs have viruses on them.

Yeah. Imagine the rootkits that could be put onto an OS distribution that's delivered online from an unscrupulous site. I'd never be able to trust my computer.