Vista - Stolen Vista PC

My wife's notebook running Vista was recently stolen and I was wondering if
there is a way to remotely "deactivate" the license key for the PC so that
the Windows Vista installation on the PC will not be associated with
us...Could it be deactivated so it will not operate?

"?????" <?????@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:2F316779-2B6D-47D8-BF11-2F2626A2F159@microsoft.com...
> My wife's notebook running Vista was recently stolen and I was wondering
> if
> there is a way to remotely "deactivate" the license key for the PC so that
> the Windows Vista installation on the PC will not be associated with
> us...Could it be deactivated so it will not operate?


Unless you subscribed to a 3rd party service, such as one that disables the
machine etc when you report it stolen, there isn't much you can do.
IMO the biggest problem you have is personal information being on the drive
& getting into the wrong hands.

I make a point of always encrypting laptop computers...and most desktops for
that matter & Bitlocker makes that very easy for those new to hard disk
encryption.

I never "register" windows either, just activate it.

On 6/4/2007 2:01 PM On a whim, ????? pounded out on the keyboard

> My wife's notebook running Vista was recently stolen and I was wondering if
> there is a way to remotely "deactivate" the license key for the PC so that
> the Windows Vista installation on the PC will not be associated with
> us...Could it be deactivated so it will not operate?

Remotely? I doubt it. You could call the manufacturer and have them
list it stolen. A Service Code could possibly be traced if the thief let
the auto-update from the manufacturer connect (like Dell's alert).

--
Terry R.

***Reply Note***
Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.
Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.

"?????" <?????@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:2F316779-2B6D-47D8-BF11-2F2626A2F159@microsoft.com...
> My wife's notebook running Vista was recently stolen and I was wondering
> if
> there is a way to remotely "deactivate" the license key for the PC so that
> the Windows Vista installation on the PC will not be associated with
> us...Could it be deactivated so it will not operate?

No. In fact there really is no way to "de-activate" a key. the best that can
be done is to re-activate on another system providing the version of Vista
is not an OEM. You still need access to the system to do that though.
--


Harry Ohrn MS MVP [Shell\User]

=?Utf-8?B?Pz8/Pz8=?= <?????@discussions.microsoft.com> in news:2F316779-
2B6D-47D8-BF11-2F2626A2F159@microsoft.com:

> My wife's notebook running Vista was recently stolen and I was wondering if
> there is a way to remotely "deactivate" the license key for the PC so that
> the Windows Vista installation on the PC will not be associated with
> us...Could it be deactivated so it will not operate?

i thought the activatoin is associated with hardware only?

<MsOsWin@anon.com> wrote in message news:Xns9945930F652BBM@207.46.248.16...
> =?Utf-8?B?Pz8/Pz8=?= <?????@discussions.microsoft.com> in news:2F316779-
> 2B6D-47D8-BF11-2F2626A2F159@microsoft.com:
>
>> My wife's notebook running Vista was recently stolen and I was wondering
>> if
>> there is a way to remotely "deactivate" the license key for the PC so
>> that
>> the Windows Vista installation on the PC will not be associated with
>> us...Could it be deactivated so it will not operate?
>
> i thought the activatoin is associated with hardware only?

It is. The only way that a system can be tracked back to an individual is by
the information contained on the hard drive or the manufacturers serial
number on the computer. Activation does not collect and store any personal
information.

--

Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User

If you still have the key, post it far and wide on the internet, along with
the version of Windows it's for.

If enough people use it, THEN they'll deactivate it.

Micro$oft could easily implement some sort of tracking, or at least
disabling, of stolen computers, but until they lose a couple hundred dollars
out of their profit of billions, they won't bother.

It won't get your laptop back, but at least you can deny them use of the OS
that came with it. Better than nothing.

Who knows? If this starts a trend, perhaps Microsoft will pay attention to
their customers for once. People will name their children after you if you
can swing that! heh

CS

"?????" <?????@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:2F316779-2B6D-47D8-BF11-2F2626A2F159@microsoft.com...
> My wife's notebook running Vista was recently stolen and I was wondering
> if
> there is a way to remotely "deactivate" the license key for the PC so that
> the Windows Vista installation on the PC will not be associated with
> us...Could it be deactivated so it will not operate?

CS

Give us a break and try to have at least one coherent thought before
posting!

What has the installed operating system have to do with being responsible
for a lost computer? Maybe McAfee and Norton should share the
responsibility, if their software was on that system.

<sheesh>

--

Ronnie Vernon
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User


"CS" <phony@thisone.com> wrote in message
news:1369fi4kp9qdk8e@corp.supernews.com...
> If you still have the key, post it far and wide on the internet, along
> with the version of Windows it's for.
>
> If enough people use it, THEN they'll deactivate it.
>
> Micro$oft could easily implement some sort of tracking, or at least
> disabling, of stolen computers, but until they lose a couple hundred
> dollars out of their profit of billions, they won't bother.
>
> It won't get your laptop back, but at least you can deny them use of the
> OS that came with it. Better than nothing.
>
> Who knows? If this starts a trend, perhaps Microsoft will pay attention
> to their customers for once. People will name their children after you if
> you can swing that! heh
>
> CS
>
> "?????" <?????@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:2F316779-2B6D-47D8-BF11-2F2626A2F159@microsoft.com...
>> My wife's notebook running Vista was recently stolen and I was wondering
>> if
>> there is a way to remotely "deactivate" the license key for the PC so
>> that
>> the Windows Vista installation on the PC will not be associated with
>> us...Could it be deactivated so it will not operate?
>

"Ronnie Vernon MVP" <rv@invalid.org> wrote in message
news:4A6B1913-6A2C-4BE9-B924-EEEC0132FD26@microsoft.com...
> CS
>
> Give us a break and try to have at least one coherent thought before
> posting!
>
> What has the installed operating system have to do with being responsible
> for a lost computer? Maybe McAfee and Norton should share the
> responsibility, if their software was on that system.
>
> <sheesh>
>
> --
>
> Ronnie Vernon
> Microsoft MVP
> Windows Shell/User

Perhaps if you put as much effort into reading posts as you do thinking up
highly impressive titles to put on your newsgroup posts you would find
things easier to comprehend.

However, in the interest of public service, I will try to make my posts
easier to understand. Please, read slowly and carefully.

Microsoft has implimented an activation scheme to keep people from copying
and using their latest Windows OS. Should two (possibly more) computers log
on to the internet to activate the OS using the same key, Microsoft can and
will refuse to activate OS's attempting to use that key.

Still with me?

This being the case, it would be a very minor effort to refuse to activate
that key, and even remove the activation of the OS, for other
transgressions, such as a stolen computer, on which only that key will work.

This would have the effect of reducing the value of the stolen item, so that
1) thieves would realize a smaller profit from selling it, 2) thieves would
be unable to use it without aquiring another OS, creating more effort on
their part, and 3) making the item in question a less attractive target.

Granted, this wouldn't be as nifty as having the thieves go to prison,
having the computer returned to it's rightful owner, and a shower of fresh
roses cascading over a waterfall.

It would be better than the present system, where the thieves, as well as
those who receive the stolen goods, continue to benefit from patches, fixes,
and upgrades, as well as continued full use of the product they aquired
illegally.

Certainly, it would cost Microsoft a little extra to add the code and the
resources to make this system work, but since crooks are typically lazy, and
thus are unlikely to have the desire to install and learn linux, DR DOS,
Unix, or some other funky OS, they're desire to steal something they can't
use or easily sell may very well be reduced to a point where we see a
decrease in theft of computers, most notably laptops.

Even if it didn't work as well as I describe, Microsoft would be able to use
this system in their sales brochures, possibly increasing their profit.

There are systems very much like this in other areas, such as cell phones
and modern police radios. If either of these get stolen, the cell phone
company or dispatcher/repeater operator, respectively, can disable said item
remotely, making it nothing more than a chunk of useless hardware.

Since Microsoft doesn't worry about theft and loss, unless it's theft and
loss from Microsoft, they haven't bothered to emplace a system such as this.

This is why I suggested the OP post the Windows key around the internet.
Let everybody have it. After all, he (or his friend) paid for it. Other
people will use it, either through piracy or because they lost their's, and
eventually Microsoft will kill it, so that the thieves will at least be
inconvenienced to some extent.

The idea here is that, while it won't make a profound change in lifestyle to
the crooked souls, it would, at a minimum, reduce their ill-gotten gains by
some degree, which is better than nothing.

As for Mcafee and Norton, I'd be pleased as punch if they would remember
their software is meant to be used as a utility, so that other work may be
performed on computers. Seems they believe the only reason people buy
computers is to run their bloated, try-to-do-everything-but-nothing-well
software.

More to the point, Microsoft's software is required for the vast majority of
PC users, while Mcafee's and Norton's is most certainly not.

Was that coherent enough for you, or should I send some pictures, graphs,
and a Powerpoint presentation?

;-)

CS

>
> "CS" <phony@thisone.com> wrote in message
> news:1369fi4kp9qdk8e@corp.supernews.com...
>> If you still have the key, post it far and wide on the internet, along
>> with the version of Windows it's for.
>>
>> If enough people use it, THEN they'll deactivate it.
>>
>> Micro$oft could easily implement some sort of tracking, or at least
>> disabling, of stolen computers, but until they lose a couple hundred
>> dollars out of their profit of billions, they won't bother.
>>
>> It won't get your laptop back, but at least you can deny them use of the
>> OS that came with it. Better than nothing.
>>
>> Who knows? If this starts a trend, perhaps Microsoft will pay attention
>> to their customers for once. People will name their children after you
>> if you can swing that! heh
>>
>> CS
>>
>> "?????" <?????@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:2F316779-2B6D-47D8-BF11-2F2626A2F159@microsoft.com...
>>> My wife's notebook running Vista was recently stolen and I was wondering
>>> if
>>> there is a way to remotely "deactivate" the license key for the PC so
>>> that
>>> the Windows Vista installation on the PC will not be associated with
>>> us...Could it be deactivated so it will not operate?
>>
>

LOL. I guess you are lost in your coherent thinking.

You think a thief that steals a computer steals it for the Operating System or what is installed in a computer. Think again. It has been shown that a person that steals a laptop\notebook usually sells it for money with a cleaned up HD. Not all but the majority .

--
Peter

Please Reply to Newsgroup for the benefit of others
Requests for assistance by email can not and will not be acknowledged.

"CS" <phony@thisone.com> wrote in message news:1369ojuqnrv3p9d@corp.supernews.com...
> "Ronnie Vernon MVP" <rv@invalid.org> wrote in message
> news:4A6B1913-6A2C-4BE9-B924-EEEC0132FD26@microsoft.com...
>> CS
>>
>> Give us a break and try to have at least one coherent thought before
>> posting!
>>
>> What has the installed operating system have to do with being responsible
>> for a lost computer? Maybe McAfee and Norton should share the
>> responsibility, if their software was on that system.
>>
>> <sheesh>
>>
>> --
>>
>> Ronnie Vernon
>> Microsoft MVP
>> Windows Shell/User
>
> Perhaps if you put as much effort into reading posts as you do thinking up
> highly impressive titles to put on your newsgroup posts you would find
> things easier to comprehend.
>
> However, in the interest of public service, I will try to make my posts
> easier to understand. Please, read slowly and carefully.
>
> Microsoft has implimented an activation scheme to keep people from copying
> and using their latest Windows OS. Should two (possibly more) computers log
> on to the internet to activate the OS using the same key, Microsoft can and
> will refuse to activate OS's attempting to use that key.
>
> Still with me?
>
> This being the case, it would be a very minor effort to refuse to activate
> that key, and even remove the activation of the OS, for other
> transgressions, such as a stolen computer, on which only that key will work.
>
> This would have the effect of reducing the value of the stolen item, so that
> 1) thieves would realize a smaller profit from selling it, 2) thieves would
> be unable to use it without aquiring another OS, creating more effort on
> their part, and 3) making the item in question a less attractive target.
>
> Granted, this wouldn't be as nifty as having the thieves go to prison,
> having the computer returned to it's rightful owner, and a shower of fresh
> roses cascading over a waterfall.
>
> It would be better than the present system, where the thieves, as well as
> those who receive the stolen goods, continue to benefit from patches, fixes,
> and upgrades, as well as continued full use of the product they aquired
> illegally.
>
> Certainly, it would cost Microsoft a little extra to add the code and the
> resources to make this system work, but since crooks are typically lazy, and
> thus are unlikely to have the desire to install and learn linux, DR DOS,
> Unix, or some other funky OS, they're desire to steal something they can't
> use or easily sell may very well be reduced to a point where we see a
> decrease in theft of computers, most notably laptops.
>
> Even if it didn't work as well as I describe, Microsoft would be able to use
> this system in their sales brochures, possibly increasing their profit.
>
> There are systems very much like this in other areas, such as cell phones
> and modern police radios. If either of these get stolen, the cell phone
> company or dispatcher/repeater operator, respectively, can disable said item
> remotely, making it nothing more than a chunk of useless hardware.
>
> Since Microsoft doesn't worry about theft and loss, unless it's theft and
> loss from Microsoft, they haven't bothered to emplace a system such as this.
>
> This is why I suggested the OP post the Windows key around the internet.
> Let everybody have it. After all, he (or his friend) paid for it. Other
> people will use it, either through piracy or because they lost their's, and
> eventually Microsoft will kill it, so that the thieves will at least be
> inconvenienced to some extent.
>
> The idea here is that, while it won't make a profound change in lifestyle to
> the crooked souls, it would, at a minimum, reduce their ill-gotten gains by
> some degree, which is better than nothing.
>
> As for Mcafee and Norton, I'd be pleased as punch if they would remember
> their software is meant to be used as a utility, so that other work may be
> performed on computers. Seems they believe the only reason people buy
> computers is to run their bloated, try-to-do-everything-but-nothing-well
> software.
>
> More to the point, Microsoft's software is required for the vast majority of
> PC users, while Mcafee's and Norton's is most certainly not.
>
> Was that coherent enough for you, or should I send some pictures, graphs,
> and a Powerpoint presentation?
>
> ;-)
>
> CS
>
>>
>> "CS" <phony@thisone.com> wrote in message
>> news:1369fi4kp9qdk8e@corp.supernews.com...
>>> If you still have the key, post it far and wide on the internet, along
>>> with the version of Windows it's for.
>>>
>>> If enough people use it, THEN they'll deactivate it.
>>>
>>> Micro$oft could easily implement some sort of tracking, or at least
>>> disabling, of stolen computers, but until they lose a couple hundred
>>> dollars out of their profit of billions, they won't bother.
>>>
>>> It won't get your laptop back, but at least you can deny them use of the
>>> OS that came with it. Better than nothing.
>>>
>>> Who knows? If this starts a trend, perhaps Microsoft will pay attention
>>> to their customers for once. People will name their children after you
>>> if you can swing that! heh
>>>
>>> CS
>>>
>>> "?????" <?????@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>>> news:2F316779-2B6D-47D8-BF11-2F2626A2F159@microsoft.com...
>>>> My wife's notebook running Vista was recently stolen and I was wondering
>>>> if
>>>> there is a way to remotely "deactivate" the license key for the PC so
>>>> that
>>>> the Windows Vista installation on the PC will not be associated with
>>>> us...Could it be deactivated so it will not operate?
>>>
>>
>