Windows 7: Switch to trial

ffrankcool · 15 Jan 2010

Hello guys,

I was wondering, is it possible to remove the Windows 7 CD key that you did put when you installed it to put the OS back in trial mode ?

Thanks,
-Francois

patio · 15 Jan 2010

I don't think it's possible...
You would probably have to save what you need ...wipe the drive and install the trial version all over.

richc46 · 15 Jan 2010

Just so I understand. You are activated and you want to deactivate?

Tews · 15 Jan 2010

You could simply reinstall the os, but you would have to reinstall your apps as well..

Dwarf · 15 Jan 2010

Hi Francois and welcome to Windows 7 Forums

Sorry, but that is not possible. The only way is to reinstall without the key (make sure that you select the correct version). You can extend the trial period (see Activation Trial Period - Extend Up to 120 Days), but after that period has expired you will either have to activate or reinstall. The question is why would you want to deactivate?

ffrankcool · 15 Jan 2010

Well honestly what's happening is that my girlfriend might leave me and I installed an enterprise cd key on her laptop.

So for security reasons, I want to remove it from there without her having to loose all of her data, I just want her to be forced to buy Windows 7 by herself and do the activation on her own... This is why..

So nobody knows where is the license key stored so I can simply delete it?

PS: TY for the warn welcome Dwarf

jfar · 15 Jan 2010

I read that, and as I was reading it I was whispering it to myself as if she was listening.

gregrocker · 15 Jan 2010

Performing a Repair Install from the Windows 7 desktop will reset the activation. Just don't reinsert the key until the 29th day, or extend the activation up to 120 days using the popular workaround.

patio · 15 Jan 2010

And/or if you feel generous perform the Repair install with the RC .iso...which will give her til May/June of next year...

WindowsStar · 16 Jan 2010

Are you using Enterprise on a Domain or with a KMS server? If so it will expire on its own in 180 days. No problem. Enterprise needs to contact the KMS server every 180 days.

If you are not using a KMS server then you have a bigger issue because you have used your MAK key to activate it and that will take away one of activations from the 25 a MAK key gives you. If you are going to setup a KMS server you will be one short for the KMS Server to start working. If you are not using a KMS server then you are using Microsoft’s KMS server until yours is setup. Microsoft has done a great job of making sure you do not abuse your MAK and KMS keys with Windows 7 Enterprise.

All this will resolve when you setup your KMS Server then Microsoft will transfer the control of activation to your server after you install your 27th machine (plus 1 because of her laptop) and as long as her laptop never connects to your KMS Server, it will be automatically deleted after 180 days from your server. Since Microsoft’s server has given the control to your KMS server her machine will then expire 180 days after your server took control.

I hope that makes sense.

Windows 7: Switch to trial

Switch to trial problems?