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- Windows Server 2008/2003/2000/XP/NT Administrator Knowledge Base
  - Windows XP
    - Registry Tips
      - Security
        Block XP Registration

Section(s): Security
Published on Apr 20, 2004.
Last Modified on Apr 20, 2004.
Last Modified by Wayne Maples.
Rated 4 out of 5 based on 56 votes.

To use Windows Update, you have register XP. If you want support from Microsoft without having to give them you private data (name, email, phone, ...), you can use the following registry hack to fool XP into thinking that XP has been registered. This is essentially the same hack used in Win98 to block registration. Don't be confused - this is not blocking Product Activation. This will only work if you have not installed XP. If you have installed XP and there is internet connectivity, you already are registered.

Your PC must not be connected to the network.
During XP setup answer no when setup asks you to use Windows Dynamic Update.
Dynamic update connects to Microsoft to register XP.
Once the installation is completed, reboot to Safe mode.
Click Start
Click Run
Rename %systemroot%\System32\regwizc.dll and %systemroot%\System32\Dllcach\regwizc.dll to regwizc.dll.bka or whatever.
By renaming the regwizc DLL, it blocks other windows components from registering XP to Microsoft.
Apply registry hack:
Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Key: SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion
Name: RegDone
Type: REG_SZ
Value: 1 its registered
Change the IE home page to something besides Microsoft's web site.
Reboot to Normal mode and reconnect your nic card before the XP Windows GUI loads.