How to prevent reactivating your copy of Windows XP after reinstalling it

Microsoft has implemented new copy protection protocols against pirates on their latest operating system – Windows XP.

To be able to use this OS you will need to register your copy with Microsoft (this is the activation), otherwise Windows will not function at all.

The problem is that if you want to reinstall Windows for whatever reason, then you will also need to reactivate it with Microsoft!

A bit annoying, right?

To prevent this, here is how it can be done:

After having correctly activated Windows XP, go to the C:\windows\system32 folder.

You will need to look for a file called wpa.dbl and copy it to a safe location.

Now after you have finished your reinstallation of Windows XP, to avaoid registering with Microsoft again you simply need to copy this file back to the same folder (c:\windows\system32) and everything should work!

Reboot your PC and see if the activation has already been done.

Here is how you can do this:

Click Start, run and type c:\windows\system32\oobe\msoobe /a

If this doesn’t work then type oobe/msoobe /a

The following window will appear:

Your Windows XP will be active!