Change Product ID

I have an old computer that was given to me. It won't update the windows 98 files. I have a new unregistered version of 98se. Can I change the Product ID without having to uninstall the old and reinstall the new?

 

You can change the product key but I don't think that is your problem. You should be able to update windows without needing a product key.

But since you asked, I will tell you how you to do it.

Click on "start" the "run "

Type "regedit" in the "run" dialog box. Then click "ok" or press enter.

Expand the registry key "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE" by clicking the plus sign next to it.
Do the same for the sub-keys "SOFTWARE ", "Microsoft ", and "Windows "

Then click on the "Current Version" folder itself (not the plus sign)

You will see the registry strings in the right hand pane. Double click the "Product Key" string.

A window will pop up allowing you to input your new product key.

Click "OK" the close all open windows and restart the computer.

 

Changing the product key will not get the cd to install windows. If you are getting the message setup cannot install because a version of windows was detected, rename the win.com file located in the windows folder to winold.com, from dos type in;

cd\windows
ren win.com winold.com

Install windows.