If the change is too significant, or there have been already too many changes, Windows XP will reset the WPA.DBL file back to its original non-activated (file about only 2K in size) state, and users have to reactivate. If there is any hardware change, Windows makes a note of the changes in the WPA file, but also keeps the original configuration for reference. On each system boot, Windows analyzes system current hardware and compares it to the stored hardware configuration information. Note that the trick only works if users does not make significant hardware change. By replacing the new WPA.DBL in new XP installation and rolling back to the activated WPA.DBL, users can skip and do not need to perform online activation process again or have to call Microsoft activation hotline and type activation code consists of extra long number of characters. Since all activation confirmation is saved in WPA.DBL file, users can backup and transfer the existing activated WPA.DBL file to automatic activate Windows to activated state if users choose to reload or reinstall Windows XP in fresh clean state. User won’t be able to restore WPA.DBL in System Restore as it’s not included in the backup mechanism.
However, WPA.DBL file is not protected, and if user deletes it, user will have to re-activate Windows XP again.
To secure the WPA.DBL file, Microsoft encrypts the file with RC4 algorithm. Windows XP stores the hardware configuration information of the computer at the time of activation, product activation state status, expiration info of the XP installation, and the current hardware specification in WPA.DBL file which located in %SystemRoot%\System32 folder.
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