Changing your CD-Key

One of the problems that players have in modern times with Unreal Tournament 2004 (UT2004) is that most people are using the version from GOG.com. That version is fantastic and we those who supported them directly by buying it through them.

Problem is, that version has the same CD-Key for everyone who installs it. Because of that, the key is running rampant around the internet and copies on torrents had the same key too. This was a problem, take a look for yourself here.

Since the original master server is offline there is nothing that validating keys other than the game itself. To satisfy the game, the key must satisfy a basic formula. We won’t bore you.

Changing your CD-Key is relatively easy to do on windows with editing the registry.

Option 1: Use Windows Registry Editor (Instructions for 64-bit Windows OS)

  1. Open the run command by pressing the WIN + R (Windows Key next to Alt and “R”)
  2. Type in the box “regedit” and hit OK
  3. Navigate down the following chain (you’ll have to keep expanding the folders to dive deeper on the left hand column.)
    Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Unreal Technology\Installed Apps\UT2004
  4. In there you will find a value called CDKEY with the value being the CD-Key currently being used. 
  5. Double click on the name CDKEY and it will popup the “Edit String” window.
  6. Enter in a correct CD-Key and be sure to put it in XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX format (with dashes)
  7. Close registry editor, and open up Unreal Tournament 2004. The game should now launch with the new key.

Option 2: Use RegFiles to generate a .reg file (which makes the change for you)

  1. Go to: https://www.regfiles.net/registry/unreal-tournament-2004-registry
  2. There you can enter your CD-Key into the box, as well as the install location of your game (not required but doesn’t hurt to supply)
  3. Download the file, and run the file. It will require admin permissions to make the change. This is normal.
  4. Launch the game, new key will be installed.

Where do I get a fresh key now that I cannot buy the game?

You can get a key by going to https://pastebin.com/tCAhkjyD and downloading the contents to an html and run on your PC, if you’re worried about running unknown files on your computer, this page may work too. The html page will have a generate button that lets you get a new key that normally WOULD NOT work online, but since the master server is gone it will at least let the game open. This generator was not made by PWC Gaming, the people who run this website.