After installing Windows XP you notice a message in the bottom right, "30 days left for activation" in the icon tray. This indicates that you must activate your windows XP because the Windows key you used is not a match with the CD installer product.
Remove Windows Activation
- Disable Internet access
- START -> RUN -> Type: regedit.exe and click RUN
- Navigate the registry to the following hive and key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\WPAEvents
- On the right panel, find "OOBETimer" and double click it.
- Delete and replace the values with the following: FF D5 71 D6 8B 6A 8D 6F D5 33 93 FD
- Click "OK"
- Next, on the left panel, right-click "WPAEvents"
- Click on "permissions"
- Click "SYSTEM"
- Click the box "Deny Full Control"
- Click "OK"
- Click "YES" and exit Registry Editor.
- Reboot
Testing: Try to activate windows by clicking "Activate Windows" wither under the START menu or under ALL PROGRAMS.
The procedure does not guarantee that your Windows installation will cease to fully function after 30 days. It will remove the warning. In some cases it will allow Windows to continue running fully after the 30 day trial period. Results vary.
Troubleshooting: In some cases after 30 days the user is presented with the message, "This copy of Windows must be activated with microsoft before you can log on. Do you want to activate Windows now?" when first booting windows, then after selecting "yes" presented with another message, "Windows is already activated. Click OK to exit." This can happen when the registry hack failed to work. User is prevented from using Windows. A workaround is presented below under the heading, "Another 30-days to try Windows."
Remove Windows Activation with Dummy Key
If the above procedure fails you may need to supply a bogus key along with the activation patch.
- Disable Internet access
- Click "ACTIVATE ON THE PHONE" and then "CHANGE Product Key"
- Enter a Dummy Key such as: THMPV – 77D6F – 94376 – 8HGKG – VRDRQ
- Click "UPDATE"
- Click "REMIND ME LATER"
- Restart the computer
- Log in to Windows and click START -> RUN and type "%system"
- Click "OK"
See all Microsoft Windows Installation Keys for further information.
Another 30-days to try Windows
How about if you could have another 30 days in your trial period?
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.
- Reboot or turn on computer
- Press F8 on boot to goto boot options, Boot into Safe Mode With Command Prompt.
- Type: "rundll32.exe syssetup,SetupOobeBnk"
- Now reboot by pressing Control-Alt-Delete which opens the Task Manager, select Shut Down from the toolbar menu, and choose reboot.
This process can be repeated every 30 days indefinitely.