Use xp before activation

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. You'll need to do this during the first time the logo appears after rebooting. A workaround is presented below under the heading, "Another days to try Windows.

See all Microsoft Windows Installation Keys for further information. In this process we will load Windows in Safe Mode with Command Prompt, which is an option that can be made available when you turn on the computer by pressing the F8 key.

You may have to press the F8 key more than once. Typically you will be able to enter the Windows boot selection menu by pressing F8 right after the initial logo and bios information is posted to the monitor.

In reply to MohammedIqbal's post on March 1, To do this, turn the laptop on and press F8 as it is booting up. Go into "Safe Mode" by choosing the "Safe Mode" option. I renamed the file to IE8install to make it easier later. Your thumb drive's letter may be different.

If e: doesn't work, try f: etc until you find the right one. I thank everyone else in this thread for their help. You can follow the question or vote as helpful, but you cannot reply to this thread. Threats include any threat of suicide, violence, or harm to another.

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