Deactivating WinXP

  • Thread starter Thread starter Netherwolf
  • Start date Start date
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Netherwolf

Backstory: (fast-forward to end)
I've never bought a ready-to-use PC. I build my own. The
prospect of moving to XP has me wondering though. And I'm
a little bit worried.
In the off-chance that some shmoe wants to upgrade his
primary hard-drive or his motherboard, what does he do?
I've installed XP for a friend and the security impressed
me. When installing XP, it does a look-over of the system.
On activation, it writes up a security code based on the
system, and sends it to Microsoft and assigns it to the
serial number that came with the package. A re-
installation on the same machine will yield the same
security code. But changing a motherboard is sure to raise
some eye-brows. And even if it doesn't and WinXP continues
to run fine not-withstanding, I'm the kind of guy who re-
installs after about three months. Eventually, after
upgrading this, that, and something else, the machine
won't look like what it used to and XP is going to say unh.

***********************************************************

Actual question:
Is it possible to deactivate your copy of Windows XP so
that it can be re-installed?

At present, the best alternative method I've been able to
conceive is to build a new box with a fat Gig hard drive
and a screaming P4 with a vicious front-side bus. That
way, when it comes time that I absolutely HAVE to upgrade
my unit for fear of obsolescence, it'll have been long
enough that shelling out the extra cash for a new copy of
XP won't be an issue.
 
There is no limit to the number of times Windows XP can be reinstalled
on the same computer.

As long as Windows XP is retail, there will be no problem.
Worst case is a 5 minute call to Microsoft.

If Windows XP is OEM and it came with a computer, normally in can
never be transferred regardless the condition of the original
computer.

See this for more information:
http://aumha.org/win5/a/wpa.htm
 
Windows Product Activation (WPA) on Windows XP
http://aumha.org/win5/a/wpa.htm

[Courtesy of MS-MVP Alex Nichol]

How do I "deactivate", move to another computer, or sell
a previously activated XP?
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/xpfaq.html#how2

[Courtesy of MS-MVP Michael Stevens]

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| Backstory: (fast-forward to end)
| I've never bought a ready-to-use PC. I build my own. The
| prospect of moving to XP has me wondering though. And I'm
| a little bit worried.
| In the off-chance that some shmoe wants to upgrade his
| primary hard-drive or his motherboard, what does he do?
| I've installed XP for a friend and the security impressed
| me. When installing XP, it does a look-over of the system.
| On activation, it writes up a security code based on the
| system, and sends it to Microsoft and assigns it to the
| serial number that came with the package. A re-
| installation on the same machine will yield the same
| security code. But changing a motherboard is sure to raise
| some eye-brows. And even if it doesn't and WinXP continues
| to run fine not-withstanding, I'm the kind of guy who re-
| installs after about three months. Eventually, after
| upgrading this, that, and something else, the machine
| won't look like what it used to and XP is going to say unh.
|
| ***********************************************************
|
| Actual question:
| Is it possible to deactivate your copy of Windows XP so
| that it can be re-installed?
|
| At present, the best alternative method I've been able to
| conceive is to build a new box with a fat Gig hard drive
| and a screaming P4 with a vicious front-side bus. That
| way, when it comes time that I absolutely HAVE to upgrade
| my unit for fear of obsolescence, it'll have been long
| enough that shelling out the extra cash for a new copy of
| XP won't be an issue.
 
Netherwolf said:
Actual question:
Is it possible to deactivate your copy of Windows XP so
that it can be re-installed?

At present, the best alternative method I've been able to
conceive is to build a new box with a fat Gig hard drive
and a screaming P4 with a vicious front-side bus. That
way, when it comes time that I absolutely HAVE to upgrade
my unit for fear of obsolescence, it'll have been long
enough that shelling out the extra cash for a new copy of
XP won't be an issue.
Click to expand...


There is no "de-activation" or "unregistration" process, as such.

There's no limit to the number of times you can reinstall and
activate the same WinXP license on the same PC. Nor is there ever a
charge. If it's been more than 120 days since you last activated
that specific Product Key, you'll most likely be able to activate via
the Internet without problem. If it's been less, you might have to
make a 5 minute phone call.

Here are the facts pertaining to activation:

Piracy Basics - Microsoft Product Activation
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/basics/activation/

Windows Product Activation (WPA)
http://www.aumha.org/a/wpa.htm


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having
both at once. - RAH
 
Michael said:
XP doesn't need the frequent formatting 98 did.

--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm
Click to expand...


I found that on properly configured and maintained machines, not
even Win98 required "frequent" formatting.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having
both at once. - RAH
 
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