[SOLVED] How to really dectivate W10?

[clutchc]

I built a new system for someone, install & activated W10 on it, only to find out later that the motherboard is defective and has to go back. I will be getting a totally different board, but want to use the license (key) on the replacement board. I did not activate with my MS account because the system is for someone else. I activated by using the offline account option.
I used the slmgr /upk and slmgr /cpky commands to remove the key. But from what I understand, once activated on the MS activation server, it is not removable by the user. How do I use the same key now on the replacement board and still give the new owner the full use of the license w/o having already burned thru one activation?

 

[britechguy]

Call Microsoft Technical Support.

You cannot reuse the key, but Microsoft will supply a replacement key when a motherboard replacement due to failure has been done.

Phone: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4051701/global-customer-service-phone-numbers

Chat with Live Agent: https://partner.support.services.microsoft.com/en-us/contact/chat/30/

Virtual Agent: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/contact/virtual-agent/ (my least favorite choice for this precise issue).

They do require proof, but it's not like it's extremely detailed.

 

[clutchc]

Proof? Like the product key?
Never mind. I used the chat line and all is golden now. Thank you for the advice. Worked!

 

[britechguy]

You now can tell us precisely what proof they require.

I have known others in your situation and was told that the "proof" was nothing more than saying the mobo had to be changed and the date of purchase of the new one.

I have not done this procedure myself, and have only vague recollections regarding what Microsoft asks for.

If you're willing, please let us know what they asked of you when you explained the situation.

 

[clutchc]

There wasn't any real "proof" required in my case. I explained the situation to the chat line person, and he verified that my key was legit. Said that the old board would be deactivated once I activated the new board. Hopefully, I got the key activated with the new board before the retailer "fixed" the old board and re-sold it.

 

[britechguy]

Thanks for the follow-up. Now I'll ask for one more so that I can know more.

Did MS actually deactivate the product key you had, and you were then able to reuse it, or did they issue you another product key?

I know that they can deactivate keys, but my understanding was that they could not and did not "recycle" those, but issued a substitute instead. I'm just curious as to how this actually played out.

 

[clutchc]

No, I'm using the original key I had on this new board. I don't think they deactivated anything. I know when I had W7 and needed to get permission to reuse it on a new board, I would have to go thru a phone-game of entering in a whole new series of activation numbers. Nothing like that happened this time. I was just told to enter the key in when requested like always.

Now that you made me think about it. I hope the tech I was chatting with actually knew what he/she was doing.

 

[britechguy]

Well, even if it were to turn out that the tech you got didn't know their stuff, there is absolutely a way to get Windows 10 reactivated at no cost to the end user when a motherboard replacement becomes necessary. And everything I've heard so far has indicated that Microsoft is very helpful about making this happen when you contact them.

I appreciate your having taken the time to respond to my queries.