I have installed Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard Edition (x86) onto a machine and activated it using the wrong product key. Is there a procedure to reenter and reactivate Windows with the correct key that does not involve reinstalling the OS?

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You can use Magical Jelly Bean Key Finder

Download Site

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That shows the key but I can't find an option to change it or to reset activation. – John Gardeniers Nov 9 '09 at 21:38
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Sorry about that, the updated version removed that functionality. Try this version: magicaljellybean.com/files/keyfinder.v1.51.zip Make sure you backup your activation files first. – JamesBarnett Nov 10 '09 at 21:10
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Check out this article, its for XP, but should work all the same. You need to basically deactivate your copy, then instead of re-activating, change the key. Make sure its the same type of install media that the new key comes from. (Retail, OEM, VL)

http://www.petrikb.com/change%5Fthe%5Fserial%5Fin%5Fwindows%5Fxp.htm

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