Uninstall Product Key and Deactivate Windows 10  

Thanks, cereberus, though I should mention that I installed Windows (as I always have) using only the local account option. The PC does, after a clean install of Win 10, still activate using the same Product Key, and so the primary issue for me is whether the existence of this persistent Product Key on the laptop would theoretically enable a new user of this laptop to somehow---for example, by communicating with Microsoft or Dell---gain access to my old Microsoft or Dell accounts, the log-in credentials for which I've forgotten. I've thought of contacting Microsoft myself about this specific question, but my experiences over the years with their poor front line tech support suggests that that would be an exercise in futility.

FerchogtX said:

Hello there, I got a question here:

I've read that installing a product key (retail) and then linking to your microsoft account makes that key tied to your microsoft account rather than the computer you are using... am I correct in this regard?

I assume I still need to deactivate that key and my current windows copy if I have to use that license in another PC, right? Any tips in this regard? I currently have one retail key linked to my Microsoft account, at least according to the activation applet, That means I can use my Microsoft account to activate a new machine with this same key (previusly having the other machine deactivated)?

Another question is: I have another Pro key I wanna tie to another microsoft account, I currently use a local account, but don't wanna link a microsoft account to this local account. Will the key linking to the microsoft account work if I just setup a new user account in the PC and install the new product key from there?

Thanks in advance for your answers.

Cheers!

Hello,

When you link a product key as a digital license to your Microsoft account, it only makes it easier to activate on the same hardware or if you make a hardware change. The digital license is still tied to your computer. It's just now also referenced with your Microsoft account.

Deactivating only removes the product key from a computer so it is no longer activated. It doesn't change the computer being linked to the license. if you have a retail license, you can use it to activate another computer, but not more than one computer at the same time can be activated with the same key (license). If you have an OEM key, it can only be used to activate the same computer, and no other. Of course you can't uninstall a product key if its embedded in your motherboard's UEFI firmware chip.

Option 1 below may be best to link and still keep the local account.

Read more here: Link Microsoft Account to Windows 10 Digital License

Hello @FerchogtX,

I wrote this which might also help . . .

 License Types and Rules

MS offers Win 10 Licenses in many channels governed by different rules, but for most users, you can only acquire a License through the OEM [ Original Equipment Manufacturer ] or Retail channel.

An OEM License refers to the License that a manufacturer installs on new devices. If this is your case, the Product Key is NOT transferable, and you can NOT use it to Activate another installation [ unless you are re-activating a new installation on the same computer ].

A Retail License refers to the License that you acquire when purchasing a copy of Win 10 from your local store or an online retailer [ such as from MS or Amazon for example ]. If you have a Win 10 Retail License, you CAN transfer the Product Key to another computer, as long as you DEACTIVATE the Product Key on the other computer.

A Volume License is designed for large Businesses, Education, and Government. Usually, a Volume License allows organizations to use one master Product Key to Activate ANY installation of Win 10. Although you can use this License multiple times on different computers, you can NOT transfer it with the device when the system ownership changes, and you are NOT allowed to use the License to Activate devices that are NOT part of the Organization.

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I hope this helps.

FerchogtX said:

I assume that solution doesn't alter things like your user avatar on the local account, yes?

Correct.