Here are the lists of procedure to backup the activation file for Windows and Office, so administrator can re-store the activation file after Windows/ Office    Re-installation without having to call Microsoft for activation again. (Please note this is not a crack and only work for the re-installation of same OS or Office, same version into the same machine.)

Office XP and 2003:

Backup the data.dat or opa11.dat files in C:\\\\Documents and Settings\\\\All Users\\\\Application Data\\\\Microsoft\\\\OFFICE\\\\DATA

Restore into same folder after re-installation.

Windows XP:

1. Double-click My Computer, then double-click on the "C" drive. (Or the drive in which you installed windows)
2. Navigate to the C:\\\\Windows\\\\System32 folder.
3. Locate the files named "wpa.dbl" and "wpa.bak" and copy them to a safe location such as a USB key or CD.
4. Reformat your disk and reinstall Windows XP on your reformatted hard drive, click "No" when asked if you want to activate Windows.
5. Reboot your computer into SafeMode (press F8 as Windows is booting up to see the Windows Advanced Options menu and select SAFEBOOT_OPTION=Minimal)
6. Double-click My Computer, then double-click on the "C" drive again.
7. Navigate to the C:\\\\Windows\\\\System32 folder again.
8. Locate the files named "wpa.dbl" and "wpa.bak" (if it exists) and rename them to "wpadbl.new" and "wpabak.new"
9. Copy your original "wpa.dbl" and "wpa.bak" files from your USB key, CD or DVD or other location into the C:\\\\Windows\\\\System32 folder
10. Restart your system.

Windows Vista:

Download the ABR.zip tools from URL: http://directedge.us/files/ABRbeta3.zip

Run the tools from USB drive to save the activation and product key into the USB drive. Run the tool to restore back the activation file after complete reinstallation.

General:

Download the Win Keyfinder from http://www.winkeyfinder.com/ Use this tool to backup restore Windows XP activation and view the product key for all Office and Windows Edition.

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