How to Uninstall the Product Key Number and Deactivate Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8
Information
This will show you how to uninstall the product key number of a local or remote Vista, Windows 7, or Windows 8 computer so it will no longer be activated by that product key and left in a unactivated (deactivated/unlicensed) state afterwards.
You will only be able to do this tutorial while logged in as an administrator.
For more details and options using the slmgr.vbs command, see: Slmgr.vbs Options
You will only be able to do this tutorial while logged in as an administrator.
For more details and options using the slmgr.vbs command, see: Slmgr.vbs Options
Note
This will not return the product key to a never before activated state.
This will not permanently deactivate the product key number and prevent it from being able to be used to activate another Windows again later. This only removes the product key from the current computer leaving Windows not activated.
This will not remove the product key from Microsoft activation servers. Microsoft activation servers will still have records of all computers the product key have been activated on.
An OEM product key number is permanently tied to the motherboard of the computer it was first activated on. It can only be used to activate Windows on the exact same computer that it was first activated on.
A retail product key number can be used to activate Windows on any computer as long as the product key has been removed from any other computer first.
If you only wanted to change the product key number instead, then see:
How to Change the Product Key Number in Windows 7
This will not permanently deactivate the product key number and prevent it from being able to be used to activate another Windows again later. This only removes the product key from the current computer leaving Windows not activated.
This will not remove the product key from Microsoft activation servers. Microsoft activation servers will still have records of all computers the product key have been activated on.
An OEM product key number is permanently tied to the motherboard of the computer it was first activated on. It can only be used to activate Windows on the exact same computer that it was first activated on.
A retail product key number can be used to activate Windows on any computer as long as the product key has been removed from any other computer first.
If you only wanted to change the product key number instead, then see:
How to Change the Product Key Number in Windows 7
EXAMPLE: Watermark that indicates Windows is not activated
NOTE: This watermark will be at the bottom right corner of your desktop above the taskbar notification area.
Here's How:
1. Open an elevated command prompt.
2. Do either step 3 or 4 for what computer you want to uninstall the product key on and deactivate Windows on.
3. For a Local Computer
NOTE: This would your computer.
A) In the elevated command prompt, copy and paste the command below and press enter. (see screeshot below)
slmgr.vbs /upk
B) Go to step 5.
4. For a Remote Computer
NOTE: This would be doing this from your computer (host) to a remote computer (client) on the network.
Warning
You will only be able to do this from either a Windows 8 computer to another Windows 8 computer, Windows 7 computer to another Windows 7 computer, OR from a Vista computer to another Vista computer.
You will not be able to do this from say a Window 7 to Vista computer, or Vista to Windows 7 computer.
You will not be able to do this from say a Window 7 to Vista computer, or Vista to Windows 7 computer.
A) In the elevated command prompt, type the command below and press enter. (see screeshot below)
Note
- You would substitute Computer-Name in the command below with the computer name of the remote computer.
- You would substitute UserName in the command below with a user account's name with required permission on the remote computer.
- You would substitute Password in the command below with the user account's password of the remote computer.
B) Continue on to step 5.
5. Click on OK. (see screeshot below)
6. The Windows on the selected computer is now in a deactivated unlicensed state with the product key number removed. You will also now have the This copy of Windows is not genuine at the bottom right corner of your desktop until activated again.
7. Every time you restart the selected computer and log in, you will be presented with an option to activate Windows until you do so. (see screeshot below)
A) If you Click on the Type your product key Option
- You will be prompted to enter a valid product key number for that edition of Windows. If successful, it will activate Windows. (see screenshots below)
B) If you Click on the Ask me later Option
- Windows will continue to startup into the user account that you logged into, but will still be in a unlicensed state until you activate Windows using step 7A at the next restart or manually activate while still in Windows.
Shawn
Related Tutorials
- How to Activate Windows 7 by Phone
- How to Activate Windows 8 and 8.1 by Phone
- How to Activate Windows 7 Online
- How to Activate Windows 8 and 8.1 Online
- How to Change the Product Key Number in Windows 7
- How to Change the Product Key Number in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Find and See the Windows 7 Product Key Number
- How to Find Your Windows 8 Product Key Number
- How to Clear Product Key from Registry in Windows
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