# Stupid, embarassing question re: Windows XP Activation **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 17, 2007, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-embarassing-question-re-windows-xp-activation/408309 "2007-06-17T00:30:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Salem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8c91f0/32.png) [@Salem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Salem)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2007, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-embarassing-question-re-windows-xp-activation/408309/1 "2007-06-17T00:30:31Z")
Long story short, I got a new XP Home Edition put onto my new computer to replace VISTA, which I hated. Had to PAY for the new XP and also lost all of the other bundled programs… I was then networking my two computers and decided to put XP on the other computer, too. Yes, that’s right, I didn’t read the box or pay attention to the new “Activation” stuff. Yah, yah, I’ll do it later. Sure enough, 30 days later, they weren’t kidding and I had to activate. Typed in the key, assuming that it would give me two installs at least like most software and nope, you’ve exceeded your install limit. So now what do I do? There’s no system restore point. Even if I could find the XP disc from the original install on that computer, it probably won’t let me install an older one over the newer one, right? Is there anyway to get rid of the updated XP??? ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2007, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-embarassing-question-re-windows-xp-activation/408309/2 "2007-06-17T00:50:12Z")
How about purchasing another license for XP Home Edition (which will come with a new license key)? ---
**Author:** ![jlitvak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b19c9b/32.png) [@jlitvak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jlitvak)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2007, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-embarassing-question-re-windows-xp-activation/408309/3 "2007-06-17T01:10:03Z")
Call the Microsoft phone number that’s displayed when your activation is rejected. Be very, very courteous. Tell 'em you had to rebuild a system and ask them to give you another activation code. Same problem happened to me when I lost a hard disk a while back. Ten minutes later I was back in business. ---
**Author:** ![DevNull](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c89c15/32.png) [@DevNull](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DevNull)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2007, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-embarassing-question-re-windows-xp-activation/408309/4 "2007-06-17T01:14:49Z")
In my experience: You can buy a new lease on life by calling the activation in on the second computer. Illegal, but you knew that. I do it by accident all the time because some of my restore discs have a key built in and I plain forget to change it. Sometimes I think they don’t even shut down multiples… they only give them a hassle at first install to make sure there isn’t a widespread bootleg key out there. Both computers will work after that second activation (just tell Apu that your system crashed and you replaced everything internal) _until_ you need to authenticate either computer at [Microsoft.com](http://Microsoft.com) for Service Pack installs or a Media Player upgrade or something. Even then, you can just pull the old “It crashed” as many times as you need to. Slime another XP key off a computer at your local dump or computer store dumpster. Just remember to note the model and insist that your computer is that model. If you say it is a Dell, they have to believe you at the Activation Center. It is policy not to argue with people over hardware anomalies. I mean, what if someone copied down your XP key? Microsoft will not take the time to punish the person who owns the authentication sticker. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![ChrisBooth12](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e95f7d/32.png) [@ChrisBooth12](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChrisBooth12)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2007, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-embarassing-question-re-windows-xp-activation/408309/5 "2007-06-17T01:15:05Z")
Hmm i thought 3 PCs were the limit not just one ---
**Author:** ![Salem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8c91f0/32.png) [@Salem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Salem)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2007, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-embarassing-question-re-windows-xp-activation/408309/6 "2007-06-17T01:16:14Z")
Ok, so if I call, there’s hope. I’ll try that Monday. In the meantime, does anyone want a nearly 14 year old girl who can’t get on the internet on “HER” computer? kill me now ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2007, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-embarassing-question-re-windows-xp-activation/408309/7 "2007-06-17T01:45:22Z")
[QUOTE=ChrisBooth12] Hmm i thought 3 PCs were the limit not just one [/QUOTE] I am not aware of any MS licenses for Windows XP that supports more than one installation. The Student/Educational licenses for multiple installations are available for Microsoft Office, but not Windows. ---
**Author:** ![DevNull](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c89c15/32.png) [@DevNull](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DevNull)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2007, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-embarassing-question-re-windows-xp-activation/408309/8 "2007-06-17T01:54:24Z")
[QUOTE=Salem] Ok, so if I call, there’s hope. I’ll try that Monday. [/QUOTE] The activation line is open 24 hours and I never had to wait more than thirty seconds for a live operator. Heck, I called Comcast Cable at 3 in the morning last month to order a second phone line. I love this country! ---
**Author:** ![Cerowyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/82dd89/32.png) [@Cerowyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cerowyn)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2007, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-embarassing-question-re-windows-xp-activation/408309/9 "2007-06-17T02:50:14Z")
[QUOTE=DevNull] I love this country! [/QUOTE] Will you be hurt if you find out that similar service is common in other countries, too? To add to what **Fear Itself** says, the standard license for Office allows one desktop installation and one laptop installation. There are volume license keys that work for lots and lots of application installs (including Windows and Office), but companies that own them are understandably protective of them. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2007, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-embarassing-question-re-windows-xp-activation/408309/10 "2007-06-17T03:22:03Z")
**MODERATOR WARNING** [QUOTE=DevNull] In my experience: You can buy a new lease on life by calling the activation in on the second computer. Illegal, but you knew that. [/QUOTE] And, since you knew it, I’m not sure why you posted it to this thread. Don’t do it again. This is an official warning. **samclem** GQ moderator ---
**Author:** ![DevNull](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c89c15/32.png) [@DevNull](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DevNull)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2007, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-embarassing-question-re-windows-xp-activation/408309/11 "2007-06-17T04:03:51Z")
[QUOTE=samclem] **MODERATOR WARNING** And, since you knew it, I’m not sure why you posted it to this thread. Don’t do it again. This is an official warning. [/QUOTE] I suddenly feel like I should do a PSA for my error in judgement. The following is to replace my original, most-likely illegal, method I posted earlier. I only recommend it for advanced/knowledgeable users who could deal with any contingencies due to the fact that XP installations come in many flavors with many external factors that could cause data loss. If I had to legally get myself out of that particular activation jam, I would change my first computer XP key to all zeroes with a freely available XP key changer. (XP has a knowledge base on how to change your XP key also) That would make the installation on the first computer non-existent legally as it is now completely crippled, but in limbo datawise (Make sure you backup). Then apply the phone activation to machine two long enough to roll back the XP upgrade. After XP is gone off machine two, reactivate machine one again. Check your local laws for dumpster diving/dump scavenging when attempting to acquire a disposed of Certificate of Authenticy for any Microsoft product and more importantly, check with Microsoft that a transfer of that that product is legal under such circumstances before attempting to install. Some Microsoft products are easier to transfer than others. YMMV. IANAL. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2007, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-embarassing-question-re-windows-xp-activation/408309/12 "2007-06-17T05:51:39Z")
I don’t see how that’s any improvement, legally. As I understand the situation, **Salem** purchased and installed a Windows XP Home Edition license and then later installed XP from the same CD to a second computer. One option is to purchase a second license for Windows XP Home Edition and use the key to activate the second computer. [QUOTE=Salem] Even if I could find the XP disc from the original install on that computer, it probably won’t let me install an older one over the newer one, right? Is there anyway to get rid of the updated XP??? [/QUOTE] Based on this, it sounds like the second computer already had some version of Windows XP installed. (I’m not sure what **Salem** accomplished by installing XP Home Edition using the CD.) It may be possible to use the CD that came with that original version of Windows to restore or reinstall XP on it, and that would be legal. ---
**Author:** ![groman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/73ab20/32.png) [@groman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/groman)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2007, 10:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-embarassing-question-re-windows-xp-activation/408309/13 "2007-06-17T10:44:03Z")
[QUOTE=Fear Itself] I am not aware of any MS licenses for Windows XP that supports more than one installation. The Student/Educational licenses for multiple installations are available for Microsoft Office, but not Windows. [/QUOTE] MSDN Licenses for XP used to be for a certain number of computers per key. I don’t know if they are now. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2007, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-embarassing-question-re-windows-xp-activation/408309/14 "2007-06-17T20:04:12Z")
[QUOTE=Salem] So now what do I do? There’s no system restore point. Even if I could find the XP disc from the original install on that computer, it probably won’t let me install an older one over the newer one, right? Is there anyway to get rid of the updated XP??? [/QUOTE] You don’t need to: since the machine came with XP originally, you should have the license key somewhere, likely on a sticker on the machine. The license key is not on the CD. Simply find the sticker and plug in the key when you activate it. ---
**Author:** ![citybadger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/45deac/32.png) [@citybadger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/citybadger)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2007, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-embarassing-question-re-windows-xp-activation/408309/15 "2007-06-17T20:34:07Z")
For future reference: If you buy a computer with Vista Ultimate or Business, you get downgrade rights. This lets you install XP, provided you have the media already. You will have to call and get it activated by phone, however. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2007, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-embarassing-question-re-windows-xp-activation/408309/16 "2007-06-17T21:36:51Z")
[QUOTE=citybadger] For future reference: If you buy a computer with Vista Ultimate or Business, you get downgrade rights. This lets you install XP, provided you have the media already. You will have to call and get it activated by phone, however. [/QUOTE] Can I get a citation on that? It’s not that I doubt you, it’s that I think this will be of use to me at work and I want to be able to point to something in print. Do you get to downgrade to XP Pro or home? ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2007, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-embarassing-question-re-windows-xp-activation/408309/17 "2007-06-18T00:02:41Z")
[Here you go](http://crn.com/software/199701468;jsessionid=2N2NWHJNOKQEYQSNDLPCKH0CJUNN2JVN). ---
**Author:** ![MrFloppy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/43a26b/32.png) [@MrFloppy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrFloppy)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2007, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/stupid-embarassing-question-re-windows-xp-activation/408309/18 "2007-06-18T21:09:05Z")
[QUOTE=Mangetout] Can I get a citation on that? It’s not that I doubt you, it’s that I think this will be of use to me at work and I want to be able to point to something in print. Do you get to downgrade to XP Pro or home? [/QUOTE] It’s true. We bought a Vista Business system. It wouldn’t run some of our apps so we downgraded to XP Pro, used an install disc we had lying around and called Microsoft for the activation code.