Is it possible to deactivate Win8 Product key....

[L1vE_Daedalus]

Is it possible to deactivate Win8 Product key in one computer and use the same product key to activate a new computer?

 

[SinxarKnights]

Only if it is a retail key. Any OEM key is locked to the motherboard it was activated on.

 

[Wolfshadw]

Per the license agreements, retail versions of a Windows OS may be transferred to a new computer. An OEM version of a Windows OS is tied to the original motherboard it was installed on.

That said, people have previously reported success on transferring an OS to a new system and contacting Microsoft to re-activate it. This *MAY* work as it's entirely up to Microosft's discretion, but it would be prudent to be ready to purchase a new license if they decline your activation.

-Wolf sends

 

[USAFRet]

Is it possible to deactivate Win8 Product key in one computer and use the same product key to activate a new computer?

This depends entirely on what type of license it is.
As said above, an OEM license is tied to that original motherboard. Microsoft may or may not allow an OEM license on a different PC.
A Retail license, no problem.

But disregard any "deactivation" routine you might come across. That actually does nothing.

 

[L1vE_Daedalus]

Only if it is a retail key. Any OEM key is locked to the motherboard it was activated on.

The computer I want to deactivate use to have a dead HDD so I had to buy another hdd (laptop) and op for it now I want to deactivate it so I can use the same product key for a computer im building...

I bought the Win8 op from walmart if you need that info...

 

[USAFRet]

I bought the Win8 op from walmart if you need that info...

Again, this depends on exactly what you bought.
OEM license or Retail.
(buying from Walmart does not automatically equal "Retail")

 

[L1vE_Daedalus]

How do I check or how do I find out if the product is oem or retail

 

[L1vE_Daedalus]

I bought the Win8 op from walmart if you need that info...

Again, this depends on exactly what you bought.
OEM license or Retail.
(buying from Walmart does not automatically equal "Retail")

How do I check or how do I find out if the product is oem or retail

 

[Wolfshadw]

The disc itself will likely say something like, "Intended for distribution with a new PC." or something along those lines if it's an OEM license.

-Wolf sends

 

[USAFRet]

I bought the Win8 op from walmart if you need that info...

Again, this depends on exactly what you bought.
OEM license or Retail.
(buying from Walmart does not automatically equal "Retail")

How do I check or how do I find out if the product is oem or retail

Windows Explorer
This PC
Right click and select Properties
Down at the bottom, "Product ID:"
Do you see the letters OEM in that string?
If yes, it is OEM
If no, it 'may be' but probably not OEM.

 

[L1vE_Daedalus]

It does not say oem on the system nor on the op disk/product, could I deactivate it now and how do i do it?

 

[USAFRet]

It does not say oem on the system nor on the op disk/product, could I deactivate it now and how do i do it?

In the Windows licensing, there is no "deactivation".
You simply remove the OS from the old PC and install on the new PC.

If it is indeed a Retail license.

 

[L1vE_Daedalus]

It does not say oem on the system nor on the op disk/product, could I deactivate it now and how do i do it?

In the Windows licensing, there is no "deactivation".
You simply remove the OS from the old PC and install on the new PC.

If it is indeed a Retail license.

I bet its retail op its the one in purple box, it says full version, it does not say oem.
but any way you're saying nothing could be done right?

 

[USAFRet]

If it is a Retail license, just install it on the new PC.
Remove it from the old PC. There is no real "deactivation".

There is a command line function for 'deactivation', but that only tells that PC it has no license. It does not phone home and tell the activation servers that "this license is now deactivated".

 

[L1vE_Daedalus]

Won't that cause win8 to constantly have pop ups about "you need to activate your system" or "product key is invalid"

 

[Wolfshadw]

*IF* that happens, all you'll need to do is call the number provided and give Microsoft the product key. They'll be able to verify that it is a retail version and walk you through the activation process.

-Wolf sends

 

[USAFRet]

Won't that cause win8 to constantly have pop ups about "you need to activate your system" or "product key is invalid"

You WILL need to activate it.
If it fails, you need to call MS.

 

[L1vE_Daedalus]

I fell kinda bad for not saying this earlyer but I have done that before but not only did I install win8 on a laptop (with new hdd) but I tried to install it on a different desktop with a new hdd too, it did accepted the key but after a few days it said product key have been used does that mean its oem .....by the way for retail op's the key can be reused no mater what?

 

[USAFRet]

I fell kinda bad for not saying this earlyer but I have done that before but not only did I install win8 on a laptop (with new hdd) but I tried to install it on a different desktop with a new hdd too, it did accepted the key but after a few days it said product key have been used does that mean its oem .....by the way for retail op's the key can be reused no mater what?

So all this asking if it was Retail or OEM...and you had the answer initially?

Anyway...a Retail license can be used, sequentially, on one PC at a time.
An OEM license is licensed to that original motherboard.

 

[L1vE_Daedalus]

I'm really sorry about and thanks for the help though.
I'll just buy win7 pro oem than buying a new key for win8...

 

[Wolfshadw]

I fell kinda bad for not saying this earlyer but I have done that before but not only did I install win8 on a laptop (with new hdd) but I tried to install it on a different desktop with a new hdd too, it did accepted the key but after a few days it said product key have been used does that mean its oem .....by the way for retail op's the key can be reused no mater what?

So all this asking if it was Retail or OEM...and you had the answer initially?

Anyway...a Retail license can be used, sequentially, on one PC at a time.
An OEM license is licensed to that original motherboard.

I'm pretty sure Microsoft will still give that warning regardless of if it's OEM or Retail. The OP activated the OS on his laptop. Then proceeded to attempt to activate on a desktop. When the key was checked it was found to have been used already; at which point, Microsoft probably provided a number to contact them so the OP could explain why they were trying to activate on another computer.

@L1vE_Daedalus - As long as it's a retail version of Windows (I didn't think Wally-World sold OEM versions), you can use it over and over again, provided that it's only activated (in use) on one system at a time. As stated (repeatedly), there is no "deactivation" process. When you contact Microsoft and explain why you're transferring your retail license to a new system, they'll make the changes in their database (probably) and walk you through the activation process. The retail OS on your laptop is automatically "deactivated" and attempting to use it again is against the Microsoft License Agreement.

-Wolf sends

 

[USAFRet]

Yes, WallyWorld does sell OEM. I had to look it up the other day for another member.

 

[FALC0N]

I thought OEM licenses could be moved on windows 8, providing it wasn't from a royalty OEM.

 

[Wolfshadw]

I thought OEM licenses could be moved on windows 8, providing it wasn't from a royalty OEM.

They changed that policy back to one more in line with Windows 7 shortly after the Windows 8 release.

-Wolf sends