Avoid reactivating XP after a clean install [ How To ]

Here is a great trick brought by Online Tech Tips for anyone reinstalling XP off something other than their original CD—such as a slipstreamed and automated installation—or lacking a net connection to run the activation.

You can avoid having to reactivate XP by simply copying a file from your Windows directory and saving it on a USB stick, or CD. When you first activated Windows, XP creates a file called “WPA.DBL” and stores it in the C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32 directory.

Now when you go to reinstall Windows, you’ll reach the point where you have to activate. Decline the activation and complete the installation.

Then restart your computer and enter into "Safe Mode" from the boot menu. Now paste the wpa.dbl file you backed up into System32 folder. Now you’re re-activated and free of nagging.

Note: This will only work if you use the WPA.DBL file on the same computer that it was originally activated on. If you install XP on a different machine and try to copy the WPA.DBL file there, it won’t activate.