Windows 10: If I deactivate Windows on my current PC by uninstalling the license key, will that PC...

I just want to be able to view and manage files within my SSD on my PC before I transfer the SSD to my new computer.

:)

 

Uninstall Product Key and Deactivate Windows 10


Deactivating Windows will not remove it from Microsoft's activation server.

It just simply deactivates Windows on the PC itself. This would only be helpful if say you're giving or selling the computer to someone, and don't want it to be activated with your retail product key.

You would only need to either uninstall or deactivate Windows on any other PC that you plan on using the same retail product key (license) on a new PC.

 

Uninstall Product Key and Deactivate Windows 10  

What you are referring to is for a full retail W8 license that has not been used to get and activate the free upgrade to Windows 10 offer. You basically traded in your W8 license for the free W10 upgrade.

The W8 license is linked to W10 and you get a digital license for W10 on Microsoft activation servers. You can only have W8 or free W10 activated with the product key (W8) or digital license (W10) on a PC and not both.

If you want to install and activate a retail W8 on a single PC with this W8 product key, then you will need to uninstall the free W10 or deactivate the W10 first. If this is an OEM W8, then you can only do this on the same PC it was originally installed on.

If you want to install the free W10 on a PC with its digital license, then you will need to uninstall W8 or deactivate the W8 first.

Microsoft knows what PC(s) you have them activated on since they must be activated by the Microsoft activation server. If you try to activate on more than one PC, then it gets flagged and denied.

 

Uninstall Product Key and Deactivate Windows 10


Hello blueskyler,

There's no need.

Usually, you'll only uninstall the key to deactivate Windows if you're giving/selling the PC to someone that you don't want to have the key with it.