restoring original activation status - returning laptop to ebay seller

Hello, my first post on this forum.

I bought a laptop from a private seller on ebay. Unfortunately, there are too many issues with it which were not mentioned in the description, so it does need to go back to the seller as "not as described". I don't want the seller to be worse off than necessary though, so I want to restore windows to how it was when I got it.

However, I do not fully understand how the activation works - I've never had to look into this because I've just used my company laptop as my main machine so far

When I first powered it up, the win10 login screen displayed a generic username (laptop, thinkpad or similar) and didn't require a password. All I needed to do to get to the desktop was click something like "start now" or "sign in".

I followed these instructions: https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/...ardware-change and reinstalled windows (I had some reservations about doing this but it's recommended in many places including here https://home.bt.com/tech-gadgets/com...11363937195187).

I think the Activation status before I first added my account was "Windows is activated with a digital license" - but I am not 100% sure. So the key question is this: If I remove my microsoft account from the laptop, will it return the activation status to how it was previously? Or is there something else I need to do?

I'm afraid I do not have my version number - the laptop's at home and I'm in the office. I'm hoping this doesn't make a difference. I did install all the updates when I reinstalled though.

If it were me, I would just wipe the hard drive, do another clean install of Windows 10 and when it boots into the first OS welcome screen (OOBE), shut down the computer and send it back.

Thanks Berton, it does sound like something I can try!

Berton said:

The activation may remain but I wouldn't worry if it doesn't

I could do with knowing that in advance if anyone else wants to chip in?

NavyLCDR said:

If it were me, I would just wipe the hard drive, do another clean install of Windows 10 and when it boots into the first OS welcome screen (OOBE), shut down the computer and send it back.

Thanks for trying but I'm afraid this clearly does not achieve what I'm trying to do. I got an activated windows and that's what I'd like to be sending back, hope that makes sense.

20191114 said:

Thanks for trying but I'm afraid this clearly does not achieve what I'm trying to do. I got an activated windows and that's what I'd like to be sending back, hope that makes sense.

I'm afraid that it clearly DOES achieve what you are trying to do. You might want to research a little bit about how Windows 10 Activation works. As long as you reinstall the same edition of Windows 10 on the computer that was activated on it before (IE: Home or Pro), a clean install will activate again as soon as the computer is connected to the internet because subsequent activations of Windows 10 occurs by retrieving the digital license stored on Microsoft Activation Servers based upon the computer's unique Hardware ID, not a product key or Microsoft Account.

When I bought an Ebay laptop, it had been reset, they had reset windows 10. And i was able to attach it to my account when I logged in, whatever it was, it was very obviously ready for a new owner to use. And they had pictures of it running on eBay and being reset, so i am certain that is what they did. So the drive was not formatted and win 10 reinstalled. I suppose the prior owner needs to release the pc off their microsoft account too.

20191114 said:

Berton said:

The activation may remain but I wouldn't worry if it doesn't

I could do with knowing that in advance if anyone else wants to chip in?

I've done it and the activation status has changed to "Windows is activated with a digital license" as opposed to "... linked to your Microsoft account" so it seems to no longer be linked to my account - sweet. I will try to remember to post here once my return has completed but If I never post back then it probably means it's been accepted.

NavyLCDR said:

a clean install will activate again as soon as the computer is connected to the internet

You didn't mention the need to connect in your first response, but I don't want to argue, let's forget it all ok?

20191114 said:

I've done it and the activation status has changed to "Windows is activated with a digital license" as opposed to "... linked to your Microsoft account" so it seems to no longer be linked to my account - sweet.

Have you checked your Microsoft Account to see if it is still listed there?
https://account.microsoft.com/devices/

You might be surprised.

NavyLCDR said:

Have you checked your Microsoft Account to see if it is still listed there?
https://account.microsoft.com/devices/

Interesting, that raised two questions for me really:

1. If the seller flogs it again will the next user still be able to link it to their account?
2. If I build a new custom pc from scratch and stick windows on it, will it now allow me to use my account to activate it? I'm guessing it shouldn't, right?

NavyLCDR said:

You might be surprised.

Sounds like an advert slogan for Windows. Remember the "I'm a mac and I'm a pc" ads?

20191114 said:

Interesting, that raised two questions for me really:

1. If the seller flogs it again will the next user still be able to link it to their account?
2. If I build a new custom pc from scratch and stick windows on it, will it now allow me to use my account to activate it? I'm guessing it shouldn't, right?

Sounds like an advert slogan for Windows. Remember the "I'm a mac and I'm a pc" ads?

1. Yes.

2. Do you mean using this method:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/20530

That's a possibility.