So I don't lose this...
Backup your Registry/System State
- Backup your system state by clicking Start > Run > and typing ntbackup > Click the Advanced Mode button in the Backup Utility Wizard. >Click the Backup tab, then in Click to select the check box for any drive, folder, or file that you want to back up, select the System State.
- As an alternative, you can backup just the Registry by clicking Start > Run > and type in Regedit From within the Regedit screen, right click My Computer, choose Export, name the file whatever you choose, and click Save
To change the product ID
- Log in as the local Administrator
- Click Start > Run > and type in Regedit
- Browse to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\wpaevents
- In the right pane, right-click OOBETimer, and then click Modify
- Change at least one digit of this value to deactivate Windows
- Click OK and close regedit
- Click Start > Run and type in: "%systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a"
- Click Yes, I want to telephone a customer service representative to activate Windows, and then click Next
- Click Change Product Key (at the bottom)
- Enter your valid Corporate Product Key
- Press Update and close the window.
- If you are returned to the previous window, click Remind me later
- Restart your computer
Verify the change
- After the workstation restarts, click Start > Run
- Type in: "%systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a" without the quotes.
- Make sure the dialog box says 'your copy of windows is already activated'