Unactivate Windows XP?

[Michael]

I have a new computer that I would like to use my copy of Windows XP on, but
I have already activated my copy of Windows on another computer. Is there a
way that I can unactivate Windows so I can use it on my new computer?

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

No. If that copy is still installed on your other computer,
you cannot activate it on a second computer.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User
Microsoft Community Newsgroups
news://msnews.microsoft.com/

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

| I have a new computer that I would like to use my copy of Windows XP on, but
| I have already activated my copy of Windows on another computer. Is there a
| way that I can unactivate Windows so I can use it on my new computer?

 

[Ron Martell]

I have a new computer that I would like to use my copy of Windows XP on, but
I have already activated my copy of Windows on another computer. Is there a
way that I can unactivate Windows so I can use it on my new computer?

There is no actual procedure to "unactivate" Windows XP and no real
need to do this.

Unless your Windows XP on the old computer is an OEM version there
should be no problem in moving your Windows XP license to the new
computer. The only requirement is that you *must* uninstall it from
the old computer, preferably by reformatting (or destroying) the hard
drive from that computer.

However if your Windows XP is an OEM version, such as one that came
bundled with your old computer, then that license is permanently
locked to the first computer that it was installed on and cannot be
legitimately moved to another computer even if the original computer
is scrapped, lost, stolen, or destroyed.

To determine of your old computer's Windows XP is an OEM version open
Control Panel - System - General (WinKey+Pause) and look at the 20
character product i.d. code that is shown as the last line in the
"Licensed to:" section. If the second segment of that product i.d.
code reads OEM then your Windows XP is an OEM version. If it is a
numeric value then you have some other version and the OEM
restrictions do not apply.

One more caveat with regard to OEM versions. Many of these,
especially the one provided with newer computers, are BIOS locked
which means they are self-activating when installed on a computer with
a BIOS version from that specific computer manufacturer/assembler.
BIOS locked OEM versions normally cannot be activated on a computer
from any other manufacturer. To determine if your OEM version is
BIOS locked look in Control Panel - Accessories - System Tools for an
"Activate Windows" menu item. If that item is not present then your
OEM version is BIOS locked.

Assuming that you do not have an OEM version all that you need to do
is to go ahead and install your Windows XP on the new computer, and
once this is installed and updated and you have transferred your data
files from the old computer you then need to remove Windows XP from
the old computer. Activation should be automatic over the Internet,
provided it has been 120 days or more since you last activated it on
the old computer. And if automatic activation does not work then you
can activate by telephone. Just say you are moving the license to a
new computer.

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

 

[logan]

yes, and your welcome...


I choose Polesoft Lockspam to fight spam, and you?
http://www.polesoft.com/refer.html

 

[Harry Ohrn]

I have a new computer that I would like to use my copy of Windows XP on,
but I have already activated my copy of Windows on another computer. Is
there a way that I can unactivate Windows so I can use it on my new
computer?

If it is not an OEM version then simply remove it from the old system and
install on the new. If it is an OEM version then legally you are out of luck
as OEM versions are tied to the first system they are installed on. One
reason why OEM versions are so much cheaper than retail versions

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I have a new computer that I would like to use my copy of Windows XP on, but
I have already activated my copy of Windows on another computer. Is there a
way that I can unactivate Windows so I can use it on my new computer?

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

Assuming a retail license (OEM licenses are not legitimately
transferable), simply remove WinXP from the computer it is currently on
and then install it on the new computer. If it's been more than 120
days since you last activated that specific Product Key, the 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

 

[Gerry Cornell]

Ron

The Rules are not always applied so strictly as you imply.

The major computer suppliers issue OEM copies under Licence,
which they do customise. There are also, shall we call them "generic"
OEM versions, which are not customised. I do not know whether
the latest generic version incorporates BIOS locking.

Certainly with circa December 2002 generic OEM versions you
can, by reasoned argument persuade Microsoft to reactivate
Windows XP where major changes involving replacement of
motherboard and CPU have been carried out.

Microsoft are determined to stop wholesale pirating, and rightly so.
However, they are not interested in alienating customers who have
had to replace a damaged motherboard. At least that is my
impression.

--

Regards.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England

Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Ron Martell]

Ron

The Rules are not always applied so strictly as you imply.

The major computer suppliers issue OEM copies under Licence,
which they do customise. There are also, shall we call them "generic"
OEM versions, which are not customised. I do not know whether
the latest generic version incorporates BIOS locking.

No, they are not. And I use these exclusively on systems that I sell.
My supplier is small enough that they have not yet been coerced by
Microsoft into producing their own XP install CDs, which would then
become BIOS Locked. And at that point I would take my business
elsewhere.

But there is considerable pressure, mostly in the terms of the pricing
of licenses, for OEMs to switch to the SLP (= BIOS Locked) procedure.

Certainly with circa December 2002 generic OEM versions you
can, by reasoned argument persuade Microsoft to reactivate
Windows XP where major changes involving replacement of
motherboard and CPU have been carried out.

Microsoft are determined to stop wholesale pirating, and rightly so.
However, they are not interested in alienating customers who have
had to replace a damaged motherboard. At least that is my
impression.

They are succeeding quite well in alienating many of these customers,
especially those with major brand computers who frequently find that a
factory replacement motherboard will cost them double the price (and
sometimes more) of an equivalent motherboard from one of the major
motherboard companies.

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

 

[Gerry Cornell]

Ron



Snipped

They are succeeding quite well in alienating many of these customers,
especially those with major brand computers who frequently find that a
factory replacement motherboard will cost them double the price (and
sometimes more) of an equivalent motherboard from one of the major
motherboard companies.

They being Microsoft or the major brand computer supplier supplying
BIOS locked Windows XP?

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

The market in different parts of the world may be different. I have
not noticed much, if any, adverse press comment in the UK.

The problem would seem to be the conflicting arguments of a
monopolistic practice and prevention of software piracy. From a consumer
point of view the problem arises either when there is a motherboard failure
or they wish to upgrade their computer.

Logically the first situation might be improved by the supplier of Windows
XP providing a "free"extended warranty for the motherboard ( unlikely ) or
undertaking to replace the copy of Windows XP in the event of motherboard
failure within a defined period ( 3 to 5 years ). The computer supplier
might find it costly to police such a warranty. It would be a fairer
practice
than exists at the present time.

I think trying get change where the user just wishes to upgrade is quite
unlikely to occur unless a major computer supplier decides to make selling
an OEM not locked Windows XP a highlighted feature of their marketing
strategy.

--

Regards.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England

Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Ron Martell]

They being Microsoft or the major brand computer supplier supplying
BIOS locked Windows XP?

Both. But it is Microsoft that is pushing the SLP version onto any
and all OEMs who have sufficient sales volume to justify the
production of a custom version and CDs.

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."