Deactivating Windows?

[blooglet]

I'm migrating from VMware to VirtualBox for my virtual Windows needs. I'm in the process of reinstalling Windows.

I got this Dutch error during install:

This translates roughly to "The product code does not match the current Windows version". I assume this is because my VMware install is relatively recent, so I can't reuse my product key in VirtualBox yet. Can I deactivate my VMware Windows install so that I can reuse the key?

 

[Stormkitty]

Make sure you're using the right key, as that message would only show up if you tried to say, use a Professional key in an Ultimate install or other similar scenarios. If the key can't be re-activated yet, it'd simply give you an activation failed message when you tried to Activate.

 

[richnrockville]

Sorry but I don't think so. De-Activating windows is not an option. The only way to move a copy of windows to another environment/equipment is via microsoft and then if you had a catastrophic failure of your hard disk. MS does have a heart in these cases.

And as Stormkitty replied, you might have an incorrect key code which works on a different version that you installed.

rich

 

[Bill2]

I would assume different hardware is being seen. As a rule of thumb, a retail key can be moved as long as it is used on a single computer (real/virtual) at a time, so you should be OK if you remove the vmware bit and use the product key (you should have a retail key) on the virtualbox. In case of issues, phone activation can be used. For specifics about the virtual parts, post this question in the Virtualization sub-forum.

 

[blooglet]

Make sure you're using the right key, as that message would only show up if you tried to say, use a Professional key in an Ultimate install or other similar scenarios. If the key can't be re-activated yet, it'd simply give you an activation failed message when you tried to Activate.

I have a legitimately obtained Ultimate install disc and I wanted to use a Home Premium key, but I read somewhere that all Windows 7 install discs are the same (except for the architecture) so I figured it was fine. Are you sure?

The only way to move a copy of windows to another environment/equipment is via microsoft and then if you had a catastrophic failure of your hard disk. MS does have a heart in these cases.

So I'm stuck with VMware?

As a rule of thumb, a retail key can be moved as long as it is used on a single computer (real/virtual) at a time, so you should be OK if you remove the vmware bit and use the product key (you should have a retail key) on the virtualbox.

Wouldn't that require Microsoft to be able to detect that I deleted the VMware hard disk?

 

[Bill2]

Wouldn't that require Microsoft to be able to detect that I deleted the VMware hard disk?

Removal of an OS by formatting the hard disk or otherwise overwriting is a local event, theres no corresponding reset of activation data in the MS servers till you activate a new install. If your key is retail, its fine to transfer it another physical/virtual install as long as its used on only one PC at a time.

I have a legitimately obtained Ultimate install disc and I wanted to use a Home Premium key, but I read somewhere that all Windows 7 install discs are the same (except for the architecture) so I figured it was fine. Are you sure?

Product keys are edition specific so no, a home premium key cant be used to activate an Ultimate install if thats what you are trying to do. But win7 install disks are same in the sense that all disks contain all images, if you have an Ultimate disk you can turn it into a universal installer this way.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/85813-windows-7-universal-installation-disc-create.html

Then just install home premium and activate with the home premium key.

 

[gregrocker]

Extract the Ultimate ISO using ImgBurn, run the ei.cfg removal tool on it, burn an all-versions DVD using ImgBurn at 4x speed.

ImgBurn - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com
ei.cfg removal tool to unlock all versions in ISO

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello.


A product activation key can be deactivated in a Windows 7 OS if you like, run this command in an elevated command window and hit the <enter> key.

click to enlarge

​

 

[bobkn]

Hello.


A product activation key can be deactivated in a Windows 7 OS if you like, run this command in an elevated command window and hit the <enter> key.

click to enlarge
View attachment 144039
​

That deactivates Windows on the machine, but doesn't do anything as regards the Microsoft activation servers. Right?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello.


A product activation key can be deactivated in a Windows 7 OS if you like, run this command in an elevated command window and hit the <enter> key.

click to enlarge
View attachment 144039
​

That deactivates Windows on the machine, but doesn't do anything as regards the Microsoft activation servers. Right?

That's a good question though if it's not activated, when the OS boots it would 'show' that to the MS servers wouldn't it; I'm now curious myself?

 

[gregrocker]

Uninstalling the Product key is only local, to remove a Product Key being moved elsewhere so that when it connects to the internet it won't be rudely deactivated because the Key has a new hardware signature. :shock: However the installation which Product Key has been uninstalled will immediately be flagged as non-geniune unless rearmed temporarily.

To deactivate in MS activation servers the current hardware signature tied to the key needs to be overwritten with a new hardware signature which is done during activation.

This is the reason if there is an existing hardware signature tied to that Product Key the robocall asks how many computers the Product key is installed upon, to which the only acceptable answer is one. This gives the go-ahead to overwrite the previous hardware signature with the new one, and if the previous installation connects to the internet it will be deactivated.

This has been pieced together from years of experience, and comments in our Activation forum here - especially by Bill2 who is especially expert on this.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Thanks for the info.

 

[gregrocker]

Your most welcome. If I got anything incorrect, Bill2 will chime in shortly (thankfully).