How to change your MS Windows serial number

It might be the case that you need to change the Windows serial number (eg: you have many computers that you install from an image).


The simpliest way to achieve that is to set some registry keys. Only after this change, your copy of Windows becomes legal.


Please follow the next steps:

1. Open Registry Editor (Start -> Run -> Write regedit in the opened dialog box and press Enter or OK button)


2. Search for the following registry key (in the left pane of the Registry Editor): HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\Current Version\WPAEvents


3. In the right pane, look for OOBETimer, right click on it, and select Modify from the context menu


4. Change at least one digit. Now your Windows is deactivated.


5. Again, go to Start -> Run. This time enter: %systemroot%\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /a in the dialog box and press Enter.


6. Confirm the next message with: Yes, I want to telephone a customer service representative to activate Windows, and then click Next.


7. Select Change Product key


8. Type the new product key in the New key boxes, and then click Update


9. Now you have an activated copy of Windows. To check that, just try again the step 5.
10. Restart your computer