- Windows Xp Activation By Phone Key Generator
- Windows Xp Activate By Phone Keygen
- Windows Xp Activation By Telephone Keygen Key
Early versions of Windows just needed a valid product key to work. From Windows XP and for every Windows version that followed, we also need to activate the operating system to use it. Let's see how Windows activation works, and how and why we can lose the Windows activation status.
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Activating my Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 2 VM with my LG Stylo 3 Plus! Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) Genuine Serial KEy MR49R-DRJXX-M6PX2-V96BF-8CKBJ You should now reactivate Windows XP by following the instructions on the Activate Windows by phone window which you should now be seeing or via the Internet by clicking the Back button and following the instructions on that screen.
Table of Contents
Windows Activation: a 'Solution' to Windows piracy
Does this product key remind you of anything?
This is probably the best-known Windows 98 product key. Many PC technicians and power users from late 90's have probably memorized it - I know I have. Anyone could install Windows 98, enter the above product key during the installation, and have a full version of Windows, as if they have bought a license.
Back then, Windows didn't have any system whatsoever to make sure a product key wasn't used more than once. They couldn't even prevent product key generators, which could spew out practically endless valid product keys.
This, of course, is software piracy, and Microsoft didn't particularly like it - although one could argue that the freedom to install Windows for free did help Microsoft conquer more than 90% of the PC market.
In any case, after the miserable failure that was Windows ME - and probably nobody wanted to pirate that piece of crap - Microsoft decided to do something about Windows piracy. The solution, which they first implemented it in Windows XP, was Windows activation.
Now, beyond a valid product key, every Windows installation needed to communicate with Microsoft to become activated, either automatically through the internet or manually, with a telephone Windows activation.
This Windows activation ties any given Windows product key with a particular PC. If the same product key were reused on a different PC, the Windows activation would fail.
How a Windows product key is tied to a particular PC
There are three steps to Windows activation.
First, during the Windows installation, the operating system creates a unique product ID from the product key. We can see our Windows product ID by pressing Win + Pause/Break.
The second step for the Windows activation is the Hardware Identification (HWID). HWID is a unique number that is tied to our PC's hardware, and it is also calculated during the Windows installation.
Every component of our PC, from the CPU to the GPU to the Network Adapter, has a unique serial number. Windows runs a mathematical formula on each serial number and creates a hash, in a way that it is impossible to find the original serial number from the hash (a one-way hash).
Between four and ten bits are used from each component's hash, depending on the part.
Component Name | Example Hash Value (#o of bits) |
---|---|
Display Adapter | 00010 (5) |
SCSI Adapter / SAS adapter | 00011 (5) |
IDE Adapter / SATA Adapter | 0011 (4) |
Network Adapter MAC Address | 1001011000 (10) |
RAM Amount Range (i.e. 0-64mb, 64-128mb, etc) | 101 (3) |
Processor Type | 011 (3) |
Processor Serial Number | 000000 (6) |
Hard Drive Device | 1101100 (7) |
Hard Drive Volume Serial Number | 1001000001 (10) |
CD—ROM / CD-RW / DVD-ROM / DVD-RW | 010111 (6) |
'Dockable' | 0 (1) |
Hardware Hash version (version of algorithm used) | 001 (3) |
Only internal PC components count, not peripherals, such as the monitor, keyboard/mouse, USB devices, etc.
From all the above Hash values, through an algorithm, an 8bit HWID is created.
On Windows activation through the Internet, a 'handshake request' is sent to Microsoft. This request contains the product ID, the HWID, the activation technology version, and the request header data, with a request ID that ties all the information together.
Through the Windows activation, the product ID (which represents the unique product key) is tied to the particular hardware ID on Microsoft's servers. This prevents the product key to be reused for Windows activation on a different PC.
The one-way hashing for the HWID guarantees our anonymity. It is impossible to identify our hardware components' serial numbers from the information that is sent to Microsoft.
If the Windows activation is successful, the confirmation is sent back to our PC as a digital certificate, signed by Microsoft.
The telephone Windows Activation - to activate Windows without an internet connection - works similarly.
The product ID and the HWID are combined to an 'Installation ID', which is translated into a 63 digit decimal number.
We need to provide this number through our phone keypad, and the automated telephone system will give us a confirmation ID to manually add for the Windows activation.
What happens to the Windows activation when we change hardware?
The check for the Product ID and Hardware ID doesn't happen only during the installation.
At each login, Windows recalculates the HWID. It then compares the current HWID with the HWID on Microsoft's servers, to see that it is running on the same or similar hardware where it was activated.
If the HWIDs are 'substantially different', we lose the Windows Activation, and Windows needs to be re-activated.
Changing a single hardware component, even something as inconsequential as the DVD-RW, will by definition change the HWID. So, does that mean that by such a simple change, we will lose our Windows activation status?
Of course not.
Microsoft has predicted the upgrade scenario. That is why the HWIDs need to be 'substantially different' for us to lose the Windows activation.
But, what does 'substantially different' mean?
First of all, the network adapter has a superior weighting as a hardware component. If we have the same network card, we need to change six or more hardware components before reactivation is required.
This means that with the same network adapter, we can change CPU, add or remove RAM, change GPU, change DVD-RW, and clone Windows on a new hard drive, and our PC won't require reactivation.
If however we change network adapter, or we didn't have a network adapter to begin with, we can only change up to three devices (including the network adapter). If we change a fourth device, we need to reactivate.
If should be noted that if we change one particular component multiple times, e.g. change six GPUs, it only counts as one change regarding the Windows activation.
Also, adding additional components (a second hard drive, a second GPU for SLI or Crossfire, etc.) won't affect the Windows activation at all, provided that the original parts remain on the system.
The bad news is that most PCs use the motherboard integrated network adapter. The motherboard also integrates a SATA controller. Most modern motherboards integrate a GPU, regardless if we are using it or not.
That means that just by changing the motherboard and the CPU, we have probably surpassed the allowed three changes (network adapter, SATA controller, integrated GPU, CPU), and would need a reactivation.
The exceptions to Windows Activation
Not every single version of Windows activates the same way. Enterprise versions of Windows XP acquired through a volume license agreement and with a volume license product key had no activation, hardware checking, or limitation on installation.
For a long time, Windows XP pirates were using a leaked volume license key that didn't require a Windows activation, before Microsoft blacklisted it with the 'Windows Genuine Advantage' initiative.
Also, some PCs with pre-activated Windows would have an OEM-specified BIOS, for a protection named 'System Locked Pre-installation' or SLP. Windows wouldn't check the HWID on this systems; it would just compare the PC's BIOS to the SLP information.
For more information regarding the Windows activation, you can read the Technical Details on Microsoft Product Activation for Windows XP.
It's a bit dated, since it was last updated in August 2001, and it won't cover Windows Vista or later versions, but the basis of the Windows Activation hasn't changed much over the years.
Did Windows Activation deter piracy?
Pirates, if anything, are an insistent bunch.
For every version of Windows that required activation, there have been multiple methods to activate Windows illegally. From the aforementioned volume license keys to Emulated KMS (Key Management System) servers that would 'activate' invalid product keys.
At the end of the day, if somebody wants to pirate Windows, the Windows activation isn't much of an obstacle.
To be continued... how to activate Windows after a 'substantial' upgrade
Depending on the version of our Windows license (Retail, OEM or DSP), reactivation over the internet might be impossible after a 'substantial' hardware change.
There is, however, a way to bypass this restriction, which we will cover in detail in a future guide.
Stay tuned!
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Below is the help file from a Windows Activation screen. It contains all of the phone numbers Microsoft has worldwide for its activation centers:
To activate your product over the telephone, use one of the following numbers:
Windows Xp Activation By Telephone Keygen Key
- Windows activation: (888) 571-2048
- Microsoft Office activation (United States only): (888) 652-2342
- TTY number: (800) 718-1599
- If you are an international customer, find the telephone number from the following list:
Country/region Volume License Keys only toll call Volume License Keys only toll-free Albania (389) (2) 30 90 890 Algeria (+213) (21) 89 10 70 American Samoa (61) (2) 9870 2131 Andorra (33) (1) 7226 6080 (French) and (34) (91) 114 1464 (Spanish) Angola (351) 214 154 065 Anguilla (54) (11) 4317 2626 (1) (866) 993 9301 Antarctica (61) (2) 9870 2131 Antigua and Barbuda (54) (11) 4317 2626 (1) (866) 647 2707 Argentina (0) (800) 999 4617 Armenia (7) (495) 745 5445 (Moscow, Russia) Aruba (1) (305) 603 4466 Australia (61) (2) 9870 2131 1800 642 008 Austria (43) (1) 795 673 56 (00) (800) 22 84 82 83 Azerbaijan (7) (495) 745 5445 (Moscow, Russia) Bahamas, The (54) (11) 4317 2626 (1) (866) 317 5700 Bahrain (971) (4) 391 7000 Bangladesh (65) 6324 8098 Barbados (54) (11) 4317 2626 (1) (800) 534 3365 Belarus (7) (495) 745 5445 (Moscow, Russia) (8) (820) 0071 0004 Belgium (32) (2) 401 2650 (0) (800) 40758 Belize (1) (305) 603 4466 Benin (225) 20 24 24 90 Bermuda (716) 871 2919 (1) (866) 263 1098 Bhutan (65) 6324 8098 Bolivia (800) 100 359 Bosnia and Herzegovina (387) (33) 606 100 (0) (800) 20 230 Botswana (27) (11) 361 7000 Bouvet Island (47) (23) 162 126 Brazil (11) 3217 3521 (0) (800) 888 4081 British Indian Ocean Territory (27) (11) 361 7000 Brunei (65) 6324 8098 Bulgaria (359) (2) 965 7100 (0) (800) 1 5555 Burkina Faso (225) 20 24 24 90 Burundi (225) 20 24 24 90 Cambodia (65) 6324 8098 Cameroon (225) 20 24 24 90 Canada (716) 871 2781 (888) 352 7140 Cape Verde (351) 214 154 065 Cayman Islands (54) (11) 4317 2626 (1) (866) 263 7308 Central African Republic (225) 20 24 24 90 Chad (225) 20 24 24 90 Chile (800) 330 600 China (86) (21) 96081368 (800) 830 1832 Christmas Island (61) (2) 9870 2131 Cocos (Keeling) Islands (61) (2) 9870 2131 Colombia (01) (800) 051 0595 Comoros (27) (11) 361 7000 Congo (DRC) (225) 20 24 24 90 Cook Islands (61) (2) 9870 2131 Costa Rica (0) (800) 012 1446 Côte d’Ivoire 80 00 09 99 Croatia (385) (1) 789 0 300 (0) (800) 300 300 Cyprus (800) 90 900 Czech Republic (420) 225 990 844 (0800) 100 074 Denmark (45) 38 487 131 (807) 01315 Djibouti (225) 20 24 24 90 Dominica (54) (11) 4317 2626 (1) (866) 993 9311 Dominican Republic (1) (888) 751 2323 Ecuador (1) (800) 258 025 Egypt (20) (2) 3539 3333 El Salvador 800 7054 Equatorial Guinea (225) 20 24 24 90 Eritrea (254) 20 286 8800 Estonia (372) 686 8820 8002230 Ethiopia (254) 20 286 8800 Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) (1) (305) 603 4466 Faroe Islands (45) 38 487 131 Fiji Islands (61) (2) 9870 2131 Finland (358) 800 118 062 (0) (800) 770 215 France (33) (1) 7226 6080 (0) (805) 110 235 France, Metropolitan (33) (1) 5517 4075 French Guiana (1) (305) 603 4466 0800 779 809 French Polynesia (33) (1) 7226 6080 French Southern and Antarctic Lands (33) (1) 7226 6080 Gabon (225) 20 24 24 90 Gambia, The (225) 20 24 24 90 Georgia (7) (495) 745 5445 (Moscow, Russia) Germany (49) (69) 2222 5494 (0) (800) 284 8283 Ghana (44) (203) 147 4930 Gibraltar (44) (203) 147 4930 Greece (44) (870) 2411 963 800 11 43100 Greenland (45) 38 487 131 Grenada (54) (11) 4317 2626 (1) (866) 993 9312 Guadeloupe (1) (305) 603 4466 Guam (61) (2) 9870 2131 Guatemala (1) (801) 13 00100 Guinea (225) 20 24 24 90 Guinea Bissau (225) 20 24 24 90 Guyana (1) (305) 603 4466 Haiti (54) (11) 4317 2626 193 – pin 3141 Heard Island and McDonald Islands (61) (2) 9870 2131 Honduras 8000 0122 – pin 5009 Hong Kong SAR (852) 2904 2198 Hungary (36) (1) 267 4636 (06) 800 18749 Iceland (47) (23) 162 126 800 8236 India (91) 80 4010 3000 1800 11 11 00 or 1800 102 1100 Indonesia (65) 6324 8098 001 803 65 7668 Iraq (971) (4) 391 7000 Ireland (353) (1) 447 5390 (1) (800) 930 031 Israel (44) (870) 2411 963 (1) (800) 350 444 Italy (39) (02) 3604 6340 (800) 531 042 Jamaica (1) (800) 647 2701 Japan (81) (3) 6831 3460 0120 801 734 Lithuania (370) 520 51120 800 22032 Luxembourg (33) (1) 7226 6080 (French) or (49) (69) 2222 5494 (German) (800) 2 99 77 Macau SAR (852) 2904 2198 Macedonia, Former Yugoslav Republic of (389) (2) 3090 890 Madagascar (27) (11) 361 7000 Malawi (27) (11) 361 7000 Malaysia (65) 6324 8098 00 800 2468 1668 Maldives (65) 6324 8098 Jordan (962) (6) 5503451 Kazakhstan (7) (727) 298 0127 (free for Almaty) 8 800 0801001 (free for Kazakhstan) Kenya (254) (20) 286 8800 Kiribati (61) (2) 9870 2131 Korea 1577 9700 (nationwide local toll only; no long-distance tolls apply); international: (82) (2) 567 7881 (international rates may apply) 1577 9700 Kuwait (965) 2243 1071 Kyrgyzstan (7) (495) 745 5445 (Moscow, Russia) Martinique (1) (305) 603 4466 Mauritania (212) (22) 95 61 53 Mauritius (230) 202 8120 Mayotte (61) (2) 9870 2131 Mexico (01) (800) 527 2000 Micronesia (61) (2) 9870 2131 Moldova (4) (021) 203 61 53 Monaco (33) (1) 7226 6080 (0) (805) 11 02 35 Mongolia (7) (495) 745 5445 (Moscow, Russia) Montenegro (381) (11) 3305 500 Montserrat (54) (11) 4317 2626 (1) (866) 993 9316 Morocco (0801) 000 809 Mozambique (351) 214 154 065 Myanmar (65) 6324 8098 Namibia (27) (11) 361 7000 Nauru (61) (2) 9870 2131 Nepal (65) 6324 8098 Netherlands (31) (20) 713 9240 (0) (800) 023 3487 Netherlands Antilles (001) 8663 220 524 New Caledonia (33) (1) 5517 4075 New Zealand (64) (9) 356 3093 (0) (800) 676 334 Nicaragua (001) (800) 220 1804 Niger (225) 20 24 24 90 Nigeria (234) (1) 27 10 156 Niue (61) (2) 9870 2131 Norfolk Island (61) (2) 9870 2131 Northern Mariana Islands (61) (2) 9870 2131 Norway (47) 23 162 126 (800) 56 615 Oman (968) 2444 6487 Pakistan (92) (21) 11167 4357 Palestinian Authority (962) (6) 462 6969 Palau (61) (2) 9870 2131 Panama (001) (800) 507 1885 Papua New Guinea (61) (2) 9870 2131 Paraguay (009) (800) 542 0004 Peru (0) (800) 51 900 Philippines (65) 6324 8098 00 800 2468 1668 Pitcairn Islands (61) (2) 9870 2131 Poland (48) (22) 594 19 99 (00) (800) 121 1654 Portugal (351) (214) 154 065 (800) 849 102 Puerto Rico (1) (866) 584 6059 Qatar (974) 411 9420 Reunion (33) (1) 7226 6080 0800 822 222 Romania (40) (21) 204 70 15 0800 822 222 Russia (7) (495) 745 5445 8 800 700 8002 Rwanda (225) 20 24 24 90 Saint Helena (27) (11) 361 7000 Saint Kitts and Nevis (54) (11) 4317 2626 (1) (866) 745 0644 Saint Lucia (54) (11) 4317 2626 (1) (866) 796 2893 Saint Martin (1) (305) 603 4466 Saint Pierre and Miquelon (27) (11) 361 7000 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (54) (11) 4317 2626 (1) (866) 796 2899 Samoa (61) (2) 9870 2131 San Marino (39) (02) 3604 6340 (800) 531 042 (27) (11) 361 7000 Saudi Arabia (966) (1) 218 8385 Senegal (225) 20 24 24 90 Serbia (381) (11) 3305 500 (0) 700 300 300 Seychelles (27) (11) 361 7000 Sierra Leone (225) 2031 0500 Singapore (65) 6324 8098 1800 324 8098 Slovakia (421) (2) 50 102 616 (0) (800) 178 278 Slovenia (386) (1) 5853 449 080 8028 Solomon Islands (61) (2) 9870 2131 Somalia (27) (11) 361 7000 South Africa (27) (11) 361 7000 (0) (801) 43 43 43 South Georgia and the Sandwich Islands (54) (11) 4317 2626 Spain (34) (91) 114 1464 (900) 150 889 Sri Lanka (65) 6324 8098 Suriname (1) (305) 603 4466 Svalbard and Jan Mayen Island (47) 23 162 26 Swaziland (27) (11) 361 7000 Sweden (46) (8) 5033 4670 020 140 00 15 Switzerland (41) (44) 580 7558 (00) (800) 22848283 Taiwan (886) (2) 8771 7276 00 800 2468 1668 Tajikistan (7) (495) 745 5445 (Moscow, Russia) Tanzania (27) (11) 361 7000 Thailand (65) 6324 8098 001 800 2468 1668 Timor-Leste (65) 6324 8098 Togo (225) 20 24 24 90 Tokelau (61) (2) 9870 2131 Tonga (61) (2) 9870 2131 Trinidad and Tobago (1) (888) 801 2598 Tunisia (216) 71 16 87 00 Turkey (90) (212) 33 66 999 0800 211 3939 Turkmenistan (7) (495) 745 5445 (Moscow, Russia) Turks and Caicos Islands (54) (11) 4317 2626 (1) (866) 745 7616 Tuvalu (61) (2) 9870 2131 Uganda (254) (20) 286 8800 Ukraine (380) (44) 2305102 (0) (800) 308 8002 United Arab Emirates (971) (4) 391 7000 United Kingdom (44) (203) 147 4930 (0) (800) 018 8354 United States (716) 871 2781 (888) 352 7140 United States Minor Outlying Islands (65) 324 8098 Uruguay (000) 4054 349 Uzbekistan (7) (495) 745 5445 (Moscow, Russia) Vanuatu (61) (2) 9870 2131 Vatican City (39) (02) 3604 6340 (800) 531 042 Venezuela (0) (800) 642 7676 Vietnam (84) 4 935 1053; outside Vietnam: 603 7712 4671 Virgin Islands, British (716) 871 2919 (1) (866) 993 9307 Virgin Islands, U.S. (716) 871 2919 (1) (877) 678 8034 Wallis and Futuna (61) (2) 9870 2131 Yemen (971) (4) 391 7000 Zambia (27) (11) 361 7000 Zimbabwe (27) (11) 361 7000