Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Saving Windows Xp Product Key

Feb 6, 2004 6:33AM PST

I remember reading somewhere here on the forum that you can save the product key once your computer is activated. If you have to reinstall xp again you can just save that piece of info in the proper place and your activation requirements are done. Can someone refresh me how I can find that info on my computer and how to save it? THanks, I appreciate it.

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Re:Saving Windows Xp Product Key
Feb 6, 2004 8:31AM PST
- Collapse -
Re:Saving Windows Xp Product Key
Feb 6, 2004 11:41AM PST

It's called wpa.dbl which can be found in \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32 folder. You can save it into your floppy and after reinstallation of Windows is completed, copy it back into the mentioned folder

You can click here or click here for a detail info.

Remember the hardwares configuration should be remain the same.

Regards,

- Collapse -
Re:Re:Saving Windows Xp Product Key
Feb 6, 2004 11:41PM PST

Thanks!! That is the info I needed. Now I have to figure out the recovery console thing and it's all good. Thanks again.

- Collapse -
Re:Re:Re:Saving Windows Xp Product Key
Feb 6, 2004 11:55PM PST

1. The article [Q307654] explains that the Recovery Console may be installed to the hard disk and requires approximately 7MB of disk space which eliminates the need for using the CD.

2. Thanks to information at "TheElderGeek" Web site, steps are provided to edit the system registry that negates the password requirement for accessing the Recovery Console.

- Collapse -
Re:Re:Re:Re:Saving Windows Xp Product Key
Feb 7, 2004 10:10PM PST

Is this option available on xp home? I tried what both of the sites say to do in the run box and I get a file not found message.

- Collapse -
Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Saving Windows Xp Product Key
Feb 7, 2004 10:12PM PST

Forget it, I figured it out. Happy