Moving Windows 10 Install - how to properly de-activate and reactivate


  1. Swandy
    Posts : 2
    Windows 10
       New #1

    Moving Windows 10 Install - how to properly de-activate and reactivate


    I am currently running Windows 10 on an iMac under Bootcamp. I wish to delete that installation - taking up too much disk space for the few programs I still need Windows for - and reinstall it under Parallels with a much smaller amount of disk space.

    Question is, do I have to first de-activate the current installation of Windows 10 (and if YES, how do I properly do it) so that I can then do a re-install and re-activation of it?
    Thanks,
    Steve
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  3. bobkn
    Posts : 4,453
    Win 11 Pro 22000.708
       New #2

    De-activation does not exist for Windows.

    Depending on the type of license you have (digital license linked to an MS account?), you may not need to do anything special to activate the new installation. You may need to find a generic installation key to get the proper version of Win 10 installed.

    Generic Product Keys to Install Windows 10 Editions

    (These keys won't activate Windows. Nothing illegitimate here.)
    Last edited by bobkn; 15 Oct 2018 at 12:35.
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  4. NavyLCDR
    Posts : 18,432
    Windows 11 Pro
       New #3

    Make sure the digital license is linked to a Microsoft Account.
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  6. Ztruker
    Posts : 14,046
    Windows 11 Pro X64 22H2 22621.1848
       New #4

    NavyLCDR said:
    Make sure the digital license is linked to a Microsoft Account.
    That means login with a Microsoft Account if you currently use a Local account. Login with the MSA after the reinstall also, then you can switch back to a local account if you want after activation.
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  7. Stigg
    Posts : 623
    Windows 10 Pro
       New #5

    NavyLCDR said:
    Make sure the digital license is linked to a Microsoft Account.
    So, as long as you use a Microsoft account, you can simply login to a new Windows 10 computer with that same Microsoft account? Is that what you're saying? I guess it would only be for a retail version of Windows 10, not OEM?
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  8. NavyLCDR
    Posts : 18,432
    Windows 11 Pro
       New #6

    Stigg said:
    So, as long as you use a Microsoft account, you can simply login to a new Windows 10 computer with that same Microsoft account? Is that what you're saying? I guess it would only be for a retail version of Windows 10, not OEM?
    Retail or OEM does not matter.
    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530
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  9. Stigg
    Posts : 623
    Windows 10 Pro
       New #7

    NavyLCDR said:
    Retail or OEM does not matter.
    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530
    I didn't see anything specific to OEM, but I guess you are saying that OEM is more flexible now.
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  10. spapakons
    Posts : 3,513
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit 21H1 (May 2021 build 19043.1083)
       New #8

    It should activate automatically. If it doesn't activate by phone and that's it.
      My Computer
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