Monday: 17.July.2006

Upgrading your bootleg copy of Windows XP to a legit "Genuine Advantage" version

Some friends bought a used PC that did not have a genuine copy of Windows installed. They subsequently purchased a valid copy (WXP Pro), but could not figure out how to "validate" their copy of Windows.

After a little research, I found a special utility that does this, which you can find here, in case you know someone in the same boat. Microsoft calls it The Genuine Advantage Product Key Update Tool.

••• continued •••

It is for users attempting to change their current non-genuine Product Key to a genuine COA (Certificate of Authenticity) sticker or genuine Product Key – all without a reinstall. (More help here.)

It worked fine. Didn't even have to open the plastic wrapper on the new Windows CD. Never touched the actual CD. Now they are now able to download Windows updates. Voila!

Background info: my friends had found themsleves in a digital catch-22 .. when they tried to do the upgrade themselves (for $149), they clicked the link to "upgrade now" (or whatever it says) .. but found themselves at a screen which informed them they needed to upgrade their version of Internet Explorer in order to complete the upgrade a legit copy of Windows.

BUT ... they could not upgrade their copy of I/E, cuz another screen told them they did not have a legit copy of Windows. Absurd, no? That's when they called me. I told them to buy a copy (OEM) of Windows XP Pro thru an online reseller (to save $$$) and call me when it arrived.

Summary: they did, I did, it did. Problem solved.

Related info.





Posted by Rad at July 17, 2006 09:54 AM

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