Windows 10: How to remove illegitimate windows product key embedded in BIOS/UEFI?

I've had this version of Windows installed for a few years now, I can't remember it being installed but I'm pretty sure one of my friends did it using a cracked version of Windows. I'd like to use the "free" legit version of Windows for a while, before purchasing a full license.


Upon installing Windows on a completely fresh, new SSD without other drives in the system from a legit windows installation media USB tool created on a legit Windows system, as soon as this new Windows installation connects to the internet it says that this version of Windows is activated. It does this even if I install a "local only" version of windows not attached to a Microsoft account.


The only explanation I can think of is that the illegitimate version of Windows that I had installed on this system previously somehow embedded the product key into the UEFI/BIOS and essentially linked with my motherboard, so that whenever any new Windows installation on this motherboard connects to the internet it reads the UEFI/BIOS key and validates it.


How can I resolve this? I just want to use a legit version of Windows. Will I need to buy a legit product key and use the "change your product key" feature? Or will I somehow be able to use the free, deactivated version of Windows 10?


Thanks!

:)

 

Illegitimate license key

I bought a Windows 10 pro product key off of a website called G2Deal for an insanely cheap price that I couldn't pass up at the time. A friend who is more informed about these kinds of things said that the key is almost definitely an illegitimate one.

I apparently clicked yes on the setting that asked if I wanted to link my MS account with my Windows product key and would like to know how to remove the illegitimate product key from my MS account.

 

EULA; UEFI; Product Keys and reverting....

When you install an OS, it looks for a License key in 3 places, or at least it did.

The first is embedded in the UEFI bios, the second a file on the install media and the third a manual entry.

Since Windows 10 will not be able to use a Window 8.1 License key, it will not use the one from the Bios, but just look to see if the OS in legally activated.

If you want to go back and reinstall Windows 8.1, it will still check the UEFI bios and find its key.

The Windows 10 activation process is going to be handled differently from prior OSes. You should not have a problem going back to 8.1 using your embedded key.

 

Replacing WIndows 10 embedded BIOS key in a Lenovo Thinkstation

I purchased a new ThinkStation desktop PC which came with WIndows 10 Pro. I want to downgrade it to WIndows 10 Home and have purchased the appropriate license and product key from the Microsoft Store. However, ever time I try to install Home to replace
Pro, including FDISK and formatting the C drive the key embedded in the BIOS doesn't let me enter the Home product key and once the installation is complete I have Pro installed. Any suggestions on how to change out the BIOS embedded product key on a Lenovo?