XP: How to bypass validation to download updates when the product key is invalid
Contributed by mattnus 
Tagged: Windows installation How to bypass the validation to download updates for xp computers when the product key is invalid.
1) Open Internet Explorer
2) Go to Tools menu > Internet Options…
3) Click on Programs tab.
4) Click the Manage Add-ons…. button
5) Scroll down to the “Windows Genuine Advantage” add-on (they should be in alphabetical order).
6) After you click on it, there is a settings box below all the add-ons. In there are Enable/Disable radio buttions. Just click Disable, then OK, then Apply, and you are set
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lucky said on November 2, 2008
i have to not having any such add on
rani said on November 7, 2008
My Addons list doesnt show windows genuine advantage. what do i do? i do not have any activation key and i have only 1 day left.. please help..
sarj said on November 15, 2008
there is no such add-on
rik said on November 18, 2008
hw do i get media 11 wivout product key??
Chris said on December 5, 2008
i cant find the windows genuine avantage to disable
ZOUboo said on December 7, 2008
when i get to the second step i don’t see where to the button to click to manage add…
Colin said on December 17, 2008
didn’t work, no Genuine Advantage button…
edward said on December 24, 2008
How to bypass the validation to download updates for xp preofessional computers when the product key is invalid. the steps youhave given are not apparent in the menu
Adeel Chohan said on January 8, 2009
too bad. I have genuine windows
anonymous said on January 16, 2009
Cant find “Windows Genuine Advantage” in Manage Add-ons
Chetan said on February 3, 2009
I dont get the Windows Genuine Advantage add-on listed and yet the computer is checking for the genuine copy of windows XP.. I do have SP2 installed…
Anonymous said on February 26, 2009
If you explore the windows cd and open up I386 it does reside in a file named UNATTEND.txt. I have successfully used this on VALID windows installations. Still working to this day, have never been blacklisted.
Anonymous said on February 26, 2009
If you explore the windows cd and open up I386 it does reside in a file named UNATTEND.txt. I have successfully used this on VALID windows installations. Still working to this day, have never been blacklisted.
A.M said on March 4, 2009
I tried opening the UNATTEND.txt file, and typing in the key. Much to my dismay, it did not work. Suggestions?
atul said on March 13, 2009
how?????
Bliss said on June 7, 2009
Sorry, did all the above but I have NO Windows Genuine Advantage in the lists? Can it be called something else or is there another way to block this rotten thing.
Anonymous said on June 7, 2009
Yeah, done all the above but I have no Windows genuine advantage to disable!
Anonymous said on July 22, 2009
This tip no longer seems to work. I followed it to the letter (XP sp2) and Windows Update is still asking to run Windows Validation. :(
Anonymous said on August 4, 2009
I have installed the win XP professional version 2002 service pack 2 to my system,but i recieve a windows validation erroe message in the task bar when i start my PC,i dodn’t want to install any updates but i want to overcome this problem.
Anonymous said on September 27, 2009
INSTALL INTERNET EXPLORER 8 LATEST VERSION
THERE YOU CAN FIND
Anonymous said on October 11, 2009
Thank you for this!! :) Worked like a charm.
Anonymous said on November 7, 2009
nothing i got as Windows Genuine Advantage add on
Stephanie said on November 23, 2009
have no windows genuine advantage when I open manage add ons. how do I get to validate my windows xp service pack 2?
Bob said on November 28, 2009
Oh… no go
Dan said on January 18, 2010
how about buying a licensed copy? If you HAVE a LEGAL copy, call MS and ask for an offline validation.
You should be able to remove the existing (probably illegal) key with SysPrep. Then call MS for telephone validation. They will be able to walk you thru it. You will need to have your original CD. If this is an OEM installation (from the likes of Dell/HP/etc) and you don’t have the CD, then call your vendor, and they can ship you one.
Anonymous said on March 8, 2010
you may be victim of software counterfeiting
this copy of windows did not pass the genuine windows validation
how can a remove this message from my desktop and the star shown on my startup menu with the same message of validation???
Anonymous said on March 12, 2010
Here’s a new one for me. Trying to help an elderly lady set up her HP desktop (has XP Home OS). On startup comes the HP registration screen. This poor gal doesn’t want, never has and never will access the internet…she just wants to word process a letter from time to time and look at pictures her relatives send her on CD.
No matter how many ways you tell it “no “skip” or whatever…it just keeps coming full circle back to square one. Is this poor gal’s computer useless because she doesn’t have an internet connection? If that’s true – it stinks. Thanks for any advise on by-passing this HP set-up/registration screen – if that’s even possible.
Anonymous said on April 6, 2010
the last five didgets do not coraspond with mt key
Anonymous said on May 3, 2010
thank you its really working. thanks a lot
runner said on May 25, 2010
I am restalling my XP prof. again, again, what is the best wat to bypass the activation process for XP or anyother MS installion. You buy there product but go throught a hassal to get it to work right.
Any help would be great, Thanks
Anonymous said on June 17, 2010
I have a Dell laptop computer with Vista operating system. The computer is asking for a validation key for Windows Office. If I don’t enter the key I will lose the ability to use certain Windows functions. I entered the validation number on the Windows sticker that came with my computer, but this did not work.
What should I do, please help.
Anonymous said on June 17, 2010
If you have a valid number, I’ll work if you type it in correctly. Double-check the digits. If somebody else has already used that number (maybe illegally), then contact Microsoft support so they can issue you another one.
Omegasymbiote said on July 9, 2010
Okay nice idea but when i contact them all they want to do is try to make me go out and buy a win7 disc, my comp can’t run win7.
Dennis said on August 2, 2010
cant find it
Gowtham said on September 25, 2010
“Windows Genuine Advantage” is not found in the Manage addon’s option in my syatems IE.Please guide me.
Michael Shola said on October 10, 2010
I am sorry I cannot find Windows Genuine Advantage add-on on my Manage Add-ons;what can I do then?
Captbalut said on October 14, 2010
there is no windows genuine advantage add-on
Anonymous said on December 1, 2010
na
kainthastic said on December 11, 2010
there is no genuine advantage add on there.,.,,.,.
Hibiscus_su said on January 31, 2011
done!! could this take effect even if Internet Explorer is not my default browser? I’m using google chrome. thanks!
cxbxcb@yahoo.com said on February 17, 2011
If you are the only user or the administrator, then you should go to permissions and give yourself full access rights and then you will be able to make future changes