OFFXP: How to Force Re-Entry of the Product Identification Code (325081)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Word 2002
  • Microsoft Excel 2002
  • Microsoft Access 2002
  • Microsoft FrontPage 2002
  • Microsoft Outlook 2002
  • Microsoft PowerPoint 2002
  • Microsoft Publisher 2002
  • Microsoft Office XP Professional
  • Microsoft Office XP Small Business
  • Microsoft Office XP Standard
  • Microsoft Office XP Students and Teachers
  • Microsoft Office XP Developer
This article was previously published under Q325081
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SUMMARY

To troubleshoot activation or licensing issues, you may have to force the re-entry of your Office XP product identification code. This article describes how to force your computer to prompt you for your Office XP product identification code.

NOTE: The product identification code is located on the documentation that you received with Office XP.

MORE INFORMATION

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

To force the Product Identification Code dialog box to appear, you must rename a specific registry key. Because there are several versions of Windows Installer, the program that facilitates the installation of programs, the registry key may be in one of two locations. To force the Product Identification Code dialog box to appear, first use Method 1. If the ProductID key does not exist at the specified location, use Method 2.

NOTE: Because there are several versions of Microsoft Windows, the following steps may be different on your computer. If they are, see your product documentation to complete these steps.

Method 1

  1. Quit any running Office XP programs.
  2. Click Start, and then click Run.
  3. Type regedit, and then click OK.
  4. Click the following registry key:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion

  5. Click the + next to Uninstall.
  6. Click the 32-character subkey for Office 2002.

    NOTE: To find the 32-character subkey for your Office 2002 version, click a 32-character subkey in the left pane, and then look on the right pane next to the DisplayName value.
  7. In the right pane, click ProductID.
  8. On the Edit menu, click Rename.
  9. Rename ProductID, to ProductIDX.
  10. On the File menu, click Exit.
  11. Start an Office XP program.

Method 2

  1. Quit any running Office XP programs.
  2. Click Start, and then click Run.
  3. Type regedit, and then click OK.
  4. Click the following registry key:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\microsoft\office\10.0\registration\{90280409-6000-11D3-8CFE-0050048383C9}

  5. In the right pane, click ProductID.
  6. On the Edit menu, click Rename.
  7. Rename ProductID to ProductIDX.
  8. On the File menu, click Exit.
  9. Start an Office XP program.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:2/16/2006
Keywords:kbhowto KB325081
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