Product Key Number - Uninstall and Deactivate in Windows

Amaterasu · 07 May 2013

Brink said:

Hello Amaterasu,

The word deactivate can be a bit misleading. All this does is remove the product key from the PC so that the Windows installed on the PC is no longer be activated with that product key.

If you get an upgrade copy of W7 Ultimate instead of a full copy, then you will not legally be able to use the W7 Home Premium since you are replacing it with the upgrade to Ultimate as per the EULA.

If the W7 Home Premium is an OEM copy instead of retail, then you wouldn't be able to use it's product key to activate on any other PC since it's permanently tied to the motherboard of the PC it was first activated on.

If the W7 Home Premium is a full retail copy, then yes you will be able to install and activate it on any other computer you like so long as it's not installed and activated on any other computer. If it doesn't activate online as usual, then you could activate by phone instead.

Hope this helps, :)
Shawn

ok thanks for your help Shawn :)

Brink · 07 May 2013

You're most welcome. :)

Skeith · 03 Jun 2013

Hi guys,

My office recently bought Windows 7 Pro 32 bit and I did not know on how many computers it can be installed. Yesterday someone borrow the DVD and install it on non office workstation. We can't allow that kind of installation as it break our office policy. My question is, if I remove / deactivate that workstation with this tutorial, can we still use the product key on another workstation?

Brink · 03 Jun 2013

Hello Skeith, and welcome to Seven Forums.

If it's a retail copy and not an OEM copy of Windows 7 Pro, then yes you can use the key on any computer you like so long as it's only activated on one computer at the same time and removed on any other.

If it doesn't activate online as usual, then you should be able to activate by phone.

Hope this helps, :)
Shawn

andrew129260 · 29 Aug 2013

There is a great reason to do this. Example: I have the windows 7 family edition 3 pack. I am about to remove the license for this older pc, and instead place ubuntu as the main OS. This will in turn free up the license so I can install it on another PC.
Edit: It worked great

Brink · 29 Aug 2013

Hello Andrew,

You could, but there's really no need to if you're formatting the PC. This would mostly be helpful if you say wanted to give your computer to someone, but didn't want to give them your product key or uninstall Windows. :)

jakesp2002 · 02 Apr 2015

I'm confused... can this work by installing windows 7 on a windows XP computer, Upgrading to Windows 8 and keeping the key?

Golden · 02 Apr 2015

jakesp2002 said:

I'm confused... can this work by installing windows 7 on a windows XP computer, Upgrading to Windows 8 and keeping the key?

Nope

WinS3v3n64Bit · 05 Jan 2016

I did this: slmgr.vbs /upk. How can I revert it back someone please?
Cause I need to use rearm until I can buy a new win7 home disk.

Thanks.

Brink · 05 Jan 2016

Hello WinS3v3n64bit, :)

You can enter your product key to activate again.

Activate Windows 7 Online

Activate Windows 7 by Phone