Backup and Restore Windows XP Activation

Filed in: Tips n Tricks — February 26th, 2005

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Microsoft required you to activate(online) your copy of Windows XP(WinXP) after the installation. It is troublesome for some who do not have Internet access, and those always reinstall WinXP.

Windows activation
Microsoft Windows XP required activation

Actually, we can skip the activation process!

However, you need to activate WinXP at least once. :p

After the Windows activation, the Windows Product Activation database files(wpa.dbl and wpa.bak) will be saved into your PC. We can backup the files and then restore later to skip Windows activation.

Backup Windows Activation

  1. Goto the “system32″ folder of your Windows installation folder(normally, c:windowssystem32).
  2. Under “system32″ folder, copy the wpa.dbl and wpa.bak files. The filesize is small, you can save them in a floppy disk.
  3. Done.

Restore Windows Activation

  1. Start Windows XP in Safe Mode(Press F8 key when booting to show windows mode selection menu)
  2. Change directory to the “system32″ folder of Windows installaion(example: c:windowssystem32 )
  3. If exists, rename the wpa.dbl and wpa.bak files in “system32″ folder.
  4. Now, copy the your backup copy of wpa.dbl and wpa.bak into the “system32″ folder.
  5. Reboot and you are done!

Note: The backup only works when you are reinstall Windows XP on the same or similar hardware PC. It does not work for ANOTHER PC for obvious reason.

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  • Great trick :-)
  • it's dangerous to teach this stuff here. This violate microsoft policy. They would agree to closed down ur weblogging service if they knew it hehe
  • LcF
    @ahkiong: I teach only backup and restore, don't think it against MS policy. It is a common tip in the Internet. :)
  • It's not illegal. Basically, what it all boils down to is to backup everything before your re-install.

    http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=...
  • But what if I don't Activate it in the 30days?
  • LcF
    Not activate in 30 days then you will unable to login Windows XP!
  • huh?! Are you sure?
  • LcF
    You may try and proof it ;)
  • xp
    if I didn't activate the windows xp. after 30 days. am i still able to log on to windows safe mode?
  • LcF
    @xp: I don't think you can log on safe mode after the activation period expired. You need to log on normal mode and activate the Windows.
  • DJ
    to LcF.

    you could by rebooting and pressing F8
    then you could choose from there
  • Tekno
    when the activation time expires

    there is no way to get into windows without activating it

    not even in safe mode or command prompt

    but

    that doesnt stop u turning back the clock in ur bios

    he he he
  • Wallas
    Guys I tried this and the system showed a message like: your system needs to be activated by microsoft!
  • Reaper
    I tried this too and it doesnt work. I got an message saying you have 3 days to activate windows and then hell broke loose. I was not able to log in.
  • tut
    will this work on 2 different computers if they both installed using the same windows cd?
  • Josh Nielens
    Ok, this is my problem... I bought a computer off a friend of a friend, they told me of this problem but either way I was getting a deal. I just want to know how to fix it, I dont have the code, when I call them and tell them the 42 digit code they say its invalid all 4 of the product keys ive tried didnt work... Two of which directly from a windows xp box. So does anyone know how to get by this?
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