How to Deactivate Windows 11/10 by Uninstalling License key

Can one deactivate Windows 10 on their PC? What happens after you deactivate your operating system? If you have the same questions, you're in the right place for assistance. This post will inform you whether it's possible to deactivate Windows 11/10.

We'll outline the key reasons for doing it and the steps to deactivate. We'll also teach you how to back up your files conveniently. 

When You Need to Deactivate Windows 11/10

You may want to disable your operating system for different reasons. You could want to give or sell your computer to a different person. Deactivating the operating system ensures you don't transfer your license to the new user. It also gives them a chance to enter their license.

Deactivating Windows 11/10 lets you use its license key on a different device. You'll have to disable it on your older device since it's only allowed to use the key on one computer. What if a person wants to switch from one hard drive to another? They'll also need to deactivate their product key. 

Are you eager to deactivate Windows 11/10 on your device? This tutorial will teach you how to do it conveniently.  

🎯Related reading: How to Disable Windows 10 Update in Every Way

How to Deactivate Windows 11/10: Step-by-Step

Removing the license key will instantly deactivate Windows 11/10 on your device. To disable your operating system, follow these steps.

Step 1. The first step entails finding your Windows installation's product/license key. Open an elevated Command Prompt and paste the following command to view the Activation ID for your device:

slmgr.vbs /dlv

Step 2. Type the following instructions to uninstall the product key (ensure you enter the correct Activation ID):

slmgr /upk

Step 3. The system will notify you when the product key is successfully uninstalled.

Step 4. You'll also need to clear the product key from the registry. Type the following command:

slmgr /cpky

Step 5. The system will notify you that it has successfully removed the product key.

Step 6. You can also visit the Control Panel to confirm that your Windows activation status has changed.

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What to Do After Windows Deactivation

Will my device stop working upon deactivating Windows? The answer is NO. You'll still use it as usual. Windows will still allow you to launch and run applications that don't require an activated operating system. You can also conduct Windows updates with no limitations.

However, you won't be able to customize some settings on your unactivated operating system. For example, you can't adjust your wallpaper, lock screen, or background settings. Apps or features that require Windows activation will also stop working.

The system will also display the "Activate Windows. Go to Settings to activate Windows" message on the desktop screen.

Have you considered reactivating your Windows 11/10? You can achieve that using the following methods.

Method 1. Activate Windows via Command Prompt

You can easily enter the product key in CMD as follows.

Step 1. Launch an elevated Command Prompt.

Step 2. Type the following instructions and hit Enter (ensure you enter the correct product key):

slmgr /ipk

Step 3. If you enter the correct key, you'll receive the "Installed product key successfully" message. You can then continue using an activated version of your operating system as usual. To find the Windows 10 product key, follow the steps in the blog.

Method 2. Activate Windows via Settings

You can apply this method as follows:

Step 1. Open Settings. Please navigate to "Update & Security">"Activation."

Step 2. Next, select "Change product key."

Step 3. Provide the required product key to activate your system.

Method 3. Activate Windows via the Troubleshooter

This method is applicable using the following steps:

Step 1. Open Settings and go to "Update & Security."

Step 2. Click on the "Activation" option in the left panel.

Step 3. Click on the "Troubleshoot" icon. Select the "I recently changed hardware on this device" option and finish the activation process.

📚For more detailed information, you can refer to the page: How to Activate Windows 10 for Free Permanently

Bonus: Create a Windows System Image Before Deactivation

A system image is a copy of your entire operating system. You can use it to restore your OS following a hard disk malfunction or system crash. These benefits make it essential to create a system image before deactivating Windows. What is the best tool to achieve this task?

The answer is EaseUS Todo Backup. This program lets you create a complete system image for your PC and use it for "System Backup and Recovery" tasks. The tool also backs up your boot partitions and program files to ensure you can conveniently recover your system if it breaks down.

It supports multi-path backup storage for all files. This means that you can store your files in different locations for safety purposes. You can also protect your backup files via a password. This prevents unauthorized access. What more? The tool has an "App Data Backup and Recovery" feature that allows you to save bookmarks, Outlook emails, browsing history, game saves, configurations, etc.

Want to create a system image for your PC? Ensure you download this software and use it to create a system image easily.

To Wrap Up

This post has described the simple steps to deactivate Windows 10/11. You can deactivate Windows 11/10 when selling your PC or applying your license key on a new device. You'll still use your device normally after deactivating Windows.

It's best to back up your files before the deactivation. You can achieve this easily via EaseUS Todo Backup. This tool has a multi-path backup storage feature that allows you to save files to different locations.

Is the blog helpful? Share it with your fans and followers on your social platforms to help them deactivate Windows.

FAQs

The frequently asked questions about how to deactivate Windows 11/10 include:

1. Does Windows Deactivation Cause Data Loss?

You won't lose any files after a Windows deactivation. You'll keep using your device as usual. This implies that you can start and run programs that don't need Windows activation. You may also conduct regular updates for your operating system. However, you'll be limited in some aspects. You won't adjust your wallpaper, lock screen, or background settings. 

2. How Do I Permanently Shut Down Windows 11?

You can achieve this in many ways. You can click the Start Menu>Power button and then select Shutdown. You can also do that using keyboard shortcuts. Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete and pick the power sign. You can then choose to shut down your PC. You can also hit and hold the Alt key and hit F4.  

3. How Do You Disable Windows 11 and Go Back to Windows 10?

You can do that by rolling back or making a clean install. A rollback is only possible if it's less than ten days since you performed the upgrade. Go to Settings>System>Recovery and select the previous Windows version. You'll need to perform a clean install if that's not possible. Back up your data and use a Media Creation tool for complete Windows 10 installation on your PC.