How to Activate XP Home
- 1). Click the "Start" button in the lower left corner of the screen. Click "All Programs," "Accessories," "System Tools" and "Activate Windows." Alternatively, hit the Windows logo and "R" keys on the keyboard simultaneously and type "oobe/msoobe /a" without the quotation marks into the "Run" box, and hit the "Enter" key.
- 2). Click the radio button labeled "Yes, lets activate Windows over the internet now." Click "Next." This will display the official statement of privacy for the activation process. Click "Next" after reading it.
- 3). Click the radio button labeled "No, I don't want to register now; let's just activate Windows," and click "Next." In most cases, the product key for Windows does not need to be entered at this point, as it will have been entered when Windows was first installed. However, you should have it ready in case there is a problem. The product key is located on a sticker that is included if you purchased a boxed version of Windows, or affixed to the physical notebook or computer tower if you purchased your computer with Windows pre-installed.
- 4). Click "OK" to complete the activation process if no problems are found with your Windows product key. If your copy of Windows has been activated too many times, however, you may be prompted to call Microsoft. Return to the main product activation screen.
- 5). Click the radio button labeled "Yes, I want to telephone a customer service representative to activate Windows now," and click "Next." You will need to read the official privacy statement and click "Next" a second time. The screen will change to a window displaying a code called an "Installation ID" along with a phone number to call.
- 6). Call the number listed on the screen and follow the prompts to speak with a customer service representative. Be prepared to give your Installation ID to the representative, along with your Windows product key. Explain why you are re-installing Windows--for instance, because you have purchased a new hard drive. The representative will give you a "Confirmation ID," and end the call.
- 7). Type the Confirmation ID into the Windows XP Home activation window, then click "OK." Your Windows installation will be activated.
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