Deactivate Windows OS product key through official channels.
Deactivate Windows OS product key through official channels.
I regularly perform thorough software system testing using FileIO and similar tools. There have been instances where I ended up making Windows unusable and losing my product key. After some investigation, I discovered a method to disable the Windows product key for the installed machine. The main concern is that I've never tried reactivating a retail version before, so please verify whether this process is safe for your setup.
It seems you need to contact them to disable it. Later update: it looks like you mistakenly believed you had to do it.
Right. Have you reached the 1-800 helpline? Usually you can clarify that you're reinstalling Windows and they're okay with that. However, from your initial message, you mentioned you no longer have the license key, which means you won't be able to install or activate it again. You might attempt MagicJellyBean and point it at the registry from your previous setup using a different machine. This could help recover the key. If successful, you can reinstall it, try activation, and contact them if needed.