How to Replace a Damaged Windows 2000 Disk

by Larry Amon
CDs don't carry the license

CDs don't carry the license

CD image by Ricardo Bego Mantoan from Fotolia.com

Windows 2000 is a stable operating system released by Microsoft after Windows 98 and Windows Me, but before Windows XP. Because of the age of Windows 2000, you can no longer get a Windows 2000 disk as easily as you once could and Microsoft does not supply replacement disks. Licenses for Windows are independent from specific disks, so you can use any Windows 2000 disk you can find, even one being sold without a license.

Step 1

Get your license key. Make sure you have your Windows 2000 CD key. If you don't have it, you can use a program like Magical Jellybean Keyfinder to find your key (See Resources).

Step 2

Ask someone to make a copy of his Windows 2000 disk. It only needs to be the same version. If you have an upgrade disk, the copy will need to be an upgrade disk.

Step 3

If you cannot obtain a Windows 2000 disk from a friend, you can buy one online. Online auction sites like Ebay are a good place to find older software CDs. Online computer stores are more likely to have older software titles as well. Amazon.com may likely have it from its list of independent sellers.

About the Author

Larry Amon has been working in the computer field for more than 10 years and has experience writing scripts, instructional articles and political commentary. He has been published online, as well as in "NRB Magazine" and "Delmarva Youth & Family." He started a nonprofit media organization in 2000.

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