Disable Windows 10: How it works

Want to use Windows 10 on another device and can't use the activation key? That's because you need to deactivate Windows 10 on your current computer first. This will automatically unlock the license for a new device and make it available again.

This is why it can be useful to deactivate Windows 10

In order to use Windows 10, you must use the so-called activation key. This is issued once per license and can only be used for one computer. If you want to set up a new computer and activate the same Windows version, you must first deactivate Windows 10 on the other device. This also makes sense if the computer is to be given away or sold. This way, you won't lose your Windows license and can use it again at any time. To deactivate Windows 10, the operating system does not have to be deleted. The deactivation succeeds with a few simple commands via the console.

1. Click in the Windows search bar and type "CMD" to open the console.
2. Once the console is open, press the Shift and Ctrl keys simultaneously.
3. The current Windows version is now displayed in the console.
4. Type the command "slmgr /upk" in the console and confirm with Enter.
5. Die Konsole wird nun anzeigen, dass Windows 10 deaktiviert wurde.

Deaktivierung überprüfen

1. Öffnen Sie die Systemsteuerung.
2. Wählen Sie „Update und Sicherheit“ und danach „Aktivierung“.
3. Im Dialogfeld finden Sie oben einen Eintrag, ob Windows aktiviert oder deaktiviert ist.
4. Sollte die Deaktivierung nicht funktioniert haben, wiederholen Sie die genannten Schritte.