Is it OK to reinstall XP and reuse the license?

[Gregory K]

I need to reformat my hard drive. If I do that and re-install XP Pro, will I
be able to register it? In the other words, will Microfoft let me use the
same license? Should I do something special to let them know that I am
reinstalling the same system?
Gregory

 

[Alias]

I need to reformat my hard drive. If I do that and re-install XP Pro, will I
be able to register it? In the other words, will Microfoft let me use the
same license? Should I do something special to let them know that I am
reinstalling the same system?
Gregory

If it's been over 120 days, it will *activate* on line. If not, it may
still activate on line although you may need to call and get it
activated (you'll be given the number if it refuses to activate on
line). Just tell them you reinstalled it on the same computer. You can
reinstall XP on the same machine as many times as you like. If it's a
retail version, you can even move it to another computer if you like.

Alias

 

[Bob I]

Yes, you may continue to use the same license on the same PC.

 

[Patrick Keenan]

I need to reformat my hard drive. If I do that and re-install XP Pro, will
I
be able to register it? In the other words, will Microfoft let me use the
same license? Should I do something special to let them know that I am
reinstalling the same system?
Gregory

Same system? No problem.

You never have to register, though, but you may have to *activate*. These
are NOT the same thing.

Some OEM versions do not require activation, but after some updates, you'll
be into the WGA scenario, which will check the validity of the Windows
license. For what you are describing, this won't be a problem either, just
a minor inconvenience requiring a few clicks.

HTH
-pk

 

[Alias]

Same system? No problem.

You never have to register, though, but you may have to *activate*.
These are NOT the same thing.

Some OEM versions do not require activation, but after some updates,
you'll be into the WGA scenario, which will check the validity of the
Windows license. For what you are describing, this won't be a problem
either, just a minor inconvenience requiring a few clicks.

HTH
-pk

Yeah, like telling WGA to never present itself in Auto Updates again.

Alias

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I need to reformat my hard drive. If I do that and re-install XP Pro, will I
be able to register it? In the other words, will Microfoft let me use the
same license? Should I do something special to let them know that I am
reinstalling the same system?
Gregory

Registration is, and always has been, entirely optional, so you
needn't concern yourself with it.

There's no limit to the number of times you can reinstall and
activate the same WinXP license (retail or OEM) on the same PC. Nor is
there ever a charge. Nor does a Product Key (so long as it's not an
evaluation license) ever expire. 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:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

 

[Plato]

I need to reformat my hard drive. If I do that and re-install XP Pro, will I
be able to register it? In the other words, will Microfoft let me use the
same license? Should I do something special to let them know that I am
reinstalling the same system?

Yes, you can register it as many times as you wish for the same pc.