uninstall/deactivate Windows 7 in a VM?

[HAVOC]

I have Windows 7 Home (retail version). I want to use it in a VM using VirtualBox. When I'm done with whatever it is I'm doing, can I uninstall/deactivate it even though it's running as a VM? Just want to make sure I can use it on another computer at a later date.

I've read through this tutorial: Product Key Number - Uninstall and Deactivate in Windows

 

[AddRAM]

Yep, just delete the VM

 

[Pyprohly]

[B][COLOR="#E1AC38"]AddRAM[/COLOR][/B] Whoa, no, serious murder! If you don’t deactivate the key before deleting the VM the key will be lost for good. Deleting an activated VM is like throwing your laptop off a cliff, everything including the key will be unrecoverable, wouldn’t it?

 

[Megahertz07]

Pyprohly, that isn't true. Deactivation only removes the activation key from the computer but don't tell M$ that the key was removed from the computer.
I have the same Win 7 retail for years and installed in 3 computers I had. When I want to sell the old computer I format the HDD and install Lubuntu.
And then install Win 7 on the new one. And it activates normally.

 

[torchwood]

RETAIL IS RETAIL
IT CAN BE MOVED TO ANY MACHINE AT ANY TIME.

Roy

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
I still don't get where the key is stored in the bios ?
If one replaced the hdd/ ssd how can anyone get the key or keys that were on it unless the bios retained it

 

[Pyprohly]

I’ve got questions too.

I was under the impression that deactivation must occur in order to free up the licensing key on the licensing server, because, thinking about it, how are the licensing servers to know if a key is in use or not otherwise?

Definitely, you can’t use the same key twice on two different machines, the second activation attempt would be rejected, right? So the question stands: how do the MS licensing servers tell if a key is currently in use? A switched off machine is indistinguishable from one that no longer exists (i.e., had been formatted).

Also, are only OEM keys stored in the BIOS?

 

[Megahertz07]

Nothing is stored in BIOS.
For win 7 retail:
When you activate M$, windows store somewhere in the computer, the MAC address (Media Access Control address) of the LAN or wireless chip. Every time you boot, Win verifies if MAC is the same when it was activated. M$ allow one online activation every 6 moths. If you want to reinstall in this 6 moths period, you have to do it by phone.

For win 7 OEM.
Is the same activation process. The difference is that the MAC is sent to M$. That is why you can install but cant activate on another computer.

For win 10 Retail and OEM
Is the same activation process. The difference is that the MAC is always sent to M$.

If you want to see what I wrote, try to disable LAN and / or WLAN on BIOS. As soon as you boot, it will ask to activate. Reboot, enable LAN and / or WLAN on BIOS and it will be activate.

 

[Pyprohly]

Thanks for the insight, Megahertz07.

Though, its still not clear to me how the licensing servers may determine when a key becomes available? When you perform a format you’re abruptly taking that unique copy of Windows offline forever. There is no opportunity for the Windows install to contact MS servers in order to free the key.

 

[Megahertz07]

Licensing servers never knows when a key becomes available.
Win7 (OEM) and Win 10 (retail or OEM) - As M$ has the MAC of the fist installation you can reinstall as many times you want as long is on same computer (same MAC).

Win7 or Win10 (retail) - If you do a reinstall (win7) or an install on a different computer (Win7 or Win10) on the 6 moths period, you have to do it by phone.

 

[AddRAM]

He must be new at this

 

[HAVOC]

He must be new at this

Was that directed towards me?

Another quick question. I just bought Windows 10 Home OEM version, it was on sale. I also want to run it in a VM. But like other OEM versions, I can only install it to this computer, correct?

 

[torchwood]

Actually
For OEM installs the base "licence" detail IS stored in the Bios, its part of the SLIC table which is why OEM installs/re-installs are auto-activated on most occasions.
They do not use MAC codes for validation as far as i know.(W10 yes)

They do however count the number of times a specific (non oem base product key) key is used and they will block it if it exceeds 3 activations within 90 days,

Minor Activation checks are performed on EVERY boot, the Major check rolls along every 90 days

There are further checks that take place as well, which are hardware equipement based.
AND there are more, but this is as far as im going


Roy

 

[AddRAM]

He must be new at this

Was that directed towards me?

No

Don`t you have another drive you can clean install 10 on ?

 

[torchwood]

Havoc,
Although officially the free W10 offer has been pulled
did you
register
upgrade >> downgrade
If so then the comp you did it on MAY still be eligable

note
i have also heard of people still being able to upgrade , free of charge.

Roy

 

[HAVOC]

AddRAM:
Yes I do.
My perfect setup would be a M.2 drive with 7 on it, and 4 separate HDD's for my games, VM's, Windows 10 and last but not least Ubuntu. It's possible with my motherboard but I don't have the money right now for the M.2 drive I want. I might put Windows 10 and Ubuntu on the same drive until I buy the M.2.

 

[HAVOC]

torchwood:
I did not register/upgrade during the free offer. I wait quite some time before using a new OS or piece of hardware. Even if it's free.

 

[Pyprohly]

For OEM installs the base "licence" detail IS stored in the Bios, its part of the SLIC table which is why OEM installs/re-installs are auto-activated on most occasions.
They do not use MAC codes for validation as far as i know.(W10 yes)

They do however count the number of times a specific (non oem base product key) key is used and they will block it if it exceeds 3 activations within 90 days,

Minor Activation checks are performed on EVERY boot, the Major check rolls along every 90 days

Thank you for the clarifications, Touchwood, very detailed.

I presume that only OEM keys assigned by manufacturers are stored in the BIOS while a OEM key installed manually is stored exclusively in the registry.

He must be new at this

You what mate.