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.
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?
- 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"