How to activate Windows XP using an Unattend.txt file

This article describes how to activate Microsoft Windows XP using an unattended installation.

Note Before the automatic activation of Windows XP can occur, you must first establish an Internet connection.

To activate Windows XP by using an unattended installation, add the following information to the Unattend.txt file:

• In the Unattended section, type:
  AutoActivate = Yes
• Under the UserData section, type:
  ProductID = yourProductID
  (Your Product ID is located on the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) sticker.)
  
  Note Every Windows XP retail installation must have a unique Product ID for activation.

If the Internet connection is through a proxy server, specify the proxy settings in the Unattend.txt file:

• In the Unattended section, type:
  ActivateProxy=Proxy
• Type your computer's proxy settings in the Proxy section.

For information about how to customize unattended installations, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

For additional information, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: