what happens if i use my windows xp activation key more than 3 times ?

Question

people tell me if you use windows xp activation key more than 3 times on 3 different computers, it will not activate as it has exceeded it's limit of use but if i use it on my pc and re-format and use the key more than 3 times on the same computer, what will happen then, since it's the same hardware?

Answer 1

If it's the same hardware, you shouldn't have problems reactivating.

Answer 2

When XP is installed, it creates an activation code using information from 10 different pieces of hardware, including you memory, hard drive, network card, video card, etc. If you reinstall it on the same computer, it will create the same activation code each time. So it will activate as many times as needed on the same computer.



Should it fail for some reason, it will give you a number you can call for Microsoft. Tell them what you are doing, and they can activate it for you. What they do is cancel the activation, and allow it to be able to add a new one. If you really are cheating, and trying to activate it too many times, by canceling the old activation, they will prevent the early PC it was used on from working. So you are still limited in the number of activations you are using.

Answer 3

You can activate it more than that. You may have to call in to Microsoft. Just tell them your hard disk burned out and you had to get a new one and you need to reinstall. You can activate by phone which is a pain in the rear, but they will let you do it for the right reason.



If you attempt to reinstall too often, they might get suspicious, so don't just start installing and reinstalling and activating and reactivating. The best thing to do is install, do all the troubleshooting and THEN activate.

Don't go activating until you have the computer up and running. You have 45 days to activate under XP, so take your time and troublshoot the computer to death first and then when everything is working right, then click on the ACTIVATE. You do not have to REGISTER more than once, so decline to register, just activate it.

Answer 4

You'll probably have to call microsoft and talk to some indian dude over the phone. When I used mine more than once i just told the guy that my computer crashed and i had to re-format the hard drive and that was the reason for needing a new activation code. It worked fine.

Answer 5

More than 3 PCs will keep it from activating. In the case of reinstalling, the worst that will happen is you have to call Microsoft and tell them what happened and they'll give you an activation code.

Answer 6

first of all nothing will happen to you so long you are the legal owner of the software OS

Do it as many times as possible, I never heard that there is a limit for activation on the same hardware because when you activate your mac address (or hardware address) of the machine is also registered. They know who is legal and who is not.

Answer 7

The first time I had to call MS, I had to speak with a person (India). The 2nd time I reactivated, the phone call was all automated. I've never heard of a 3-time limit.

Answer 8

Microsoft is giving XP away fro free basically so look 'emup and get more copys and have fun, if you havent given Vista wirl yet

Answer 9

i dont think anything will happen if it the same pc i reinstall my pc many times and still NPNP no problem at all

Answer 10

You will have to call Microsoft and convince them you aren't a pirate.