diff --git a/core/modules/comment/comment.module b/core/modules/comment/comment.module
index 1a3580f..a940017 100644
--- a/core/modules/comment/comment.module
+++ b/core/modules/comment/comment.module
@@ -376,7 +376,7 @@ function comment_node_type_delete($info) {
  */
 function _comment_body_field_create($info) {
   // Create the field if needed.
-  if (!field_read_field('comment_body', array('include_inactive' => TRUE))) {
+  if (!field_read_field('comment_body')) {
     $field = array(
       'field_name' => 'comment_body',
       'type' => 'text_long',
@@ -385,7 +385,7 @@ function _comment_body_field_create($info) {
     field_create_field($field);
   }
   // Create the instance if needed.
-  if (!field_read_instance('comment', 'comment_body', 'comment_node_' . $info->type, array('include_inactive' => TRUE))) {
+  if (!field_read_instance('comment', 'comment_body', 'comment_node_' . $info->type)) {
     field_attach_create_bundle('comment', 'comment_node_' . $info->type);
     // Attaches the body field by default.
     $instance = array(
diff --git a/core/modules/field/field.attach.inc b/core/modules/field/field.attach.inc
index 34826cb..207564c 100644
--- a/core/modules/field/field.attach.inc
+++ b/core/modules/field/field.attach.inc
@@ -1346,10 +1346,7 @@ function field_attach_rename_bundle($entity_type, $bundle_old, $bundle_new) {
  *   The bundle to delete.
  */
 function field_attach_delete_bundle($entity_type, $bundle) {
-  // First, delete the instances themselves. field_read_instances() must be
-  // used here since field_info_instances() does not return instances for
-  // disabled entity types or bundles.
-  $instances = field_read_instances(array('entity_type' => $entity_type, 'bundle' => $bundle), array('include_inactive' => 1));
+  $instances = field_info_instances($entity_type, $bundle);
   foreach ($instances as $instance) {
     field_delete_instance($instance);
   }
diff --git a/core/modules/field/field.crud.inc b/core/modules/field/field.crud.inc
index f9c96c9..ad6a04a 100644
--- a/core/modules/field/field.crud.inc
+++ b/core/modules/field/field.crud.inc
@@ -75,13 +75,11 @@ function field_create_field($field) {
       array('%name' => $field['field_name'])));
   }
 
-  // Ensure the field name is unique over active and disabled fields.
+  // Ensure the field name is unique.
   // We do not care about deleted fields.
-  $prior_field = field_read_field($field['field_name'], array('include_inactive' => TRUE));
+  $prior_field = field_read_field($field['field_name']);
   if (!empty($prior_field)) {
-    $message = $prior_field['active']?
-      t('Attempt to create field name %name which already exists and is active.', array('%name' => $field['field_name'])):
-      t('Attempt to create field name %name which already exists, although it is inactive.', array('%name' => $field['field_name']));
+    $message =  t('Attempt to create field name %name which already exists.', array('%name' => $field['field_name']));
     throw new FieldException($message);
   }
 
@@ -113,7 +111,6 @@ function field_create_field($field) {
   // settings that impact column definitions).
   $field['settings'] += field_info_field_settings($field['type']);
   $field['module'] = $field_type['module'];
-  $field['active'] = 1;
 
   // Provide default storage.
   $field['storage'] += array(
@@ -128,7 +125,6 @@ function field_create_field($field) {
   // Provide default storage settings.
   $field['storage']['settings'] += field_info_storage_settings($field['storage']['type']);
   $field['storage']['module'] = $storage_type['module'];
-  $field['storage']['active'] = 1;
   // Collect storage information.
   module_load_install($field['module']);
   $schema = (array) module_invoke($field['module'], 'field_schema', $field);
@@ -148,7 +144,7 @@ function field_create_field($field) {
   // have its own column and is not automatically populated when the field is
   // read.
   $data = $field;
-  unset($data['columns'], $data['field_name'], $data['type'], $data['active'], $data['module'], $data['storage_type'], $data['storage_active'], $data['storage_module'], $data['locked'], $data['cardinality'], $data['deleted']);
+  unset($data['columns'], $data['field_name'], $data['type'], $data['module'], $data['storage_type'], $data['storage_module'], $data['locked'], $data['cardinality'], $data['deleted']);
   // Additionally, do not save the 'bundles' property populated by
   // field_info_field().
   unset($data['bundles']);
@@ -157,10 +153,8 @@ function field_create_field($field) {
     'field_name' => $field['field_name'],
     'type' => $field['type'],
     'module' => $field['module'],
-    'active' => $field['active'],
     'storage_type' => $field['storage']['type'],
     'storage_module' => $field['storage']['module'],
-    'storage_active' => $field['storage']['active'],
     'locked' => $field['locked'],
     'data' => $data,
     'cardinality' => $field['cardinality'],
@@ -274,7 +268,7 @@ function field_update_field($field) {
   // have its own column and is not automatically populated when the field is
   // read.
   $data = $field;
-  unset($data['columns'], $data['field_name'], $data['type'], $data['locked'], $data['module'], $data['cardinality'], $data['active'], $data['deleted']);
+  unset($data['columns'], $data['field_name'], $data['type'], $data['locked'], $data['module'], $data['cardinality'], $data['deleted']);
   // Additionally, do not save the 'bundles' property populated by
   // field_info_field().
   unset($data['bundles']);
@@ -304,8 +298,8 @@ function field_update_field($field) {
  *   The field name to read.
  * @param array $include_additional
  *   The default behavior of this function is to not return a field that
- *   is inactive. Setting
- *   $include_additional['include_inactive'] to TRUE will override this
+ *   is deleted. Setting
+ *   $include_additional['include_deleted'] to TRUE will override this
  *   behavior.
  * @return
  *   A field definition array, or FALSE.
@@ -322,10 +316,8 @@ function field_read_field($field_name, $include_additional = array()) {
  *   An array of conditions to match against.
  * @param array $include_additional
  *   The default behavior of this function is to not return fields that
- *   are inactive or have been deleted. Setting
- *   $include_additional['include_inactive'] or
- *   $include_additional['include_deleted'] to TRUE will override this
- *   behavior.
+ *   have been deleted. Setting $include_additional['include_deleted'] to TRUE
+ *   will override this behavior.
  * @return
  *   An array of fields matching $params. If
  *   $include_additional['include_deleted'] is TRUE, the array is keyed
@@ -339,11 +331,6 @@ function field_read_fields($params = array(), $include_additional = array()) {
   foreach ($params as $key => $value) {
     $query->condition($key, $value);
   }
-  if (!isset($include_additional['include_inactive']) || !$include_additional['include_inactive']) {
-    $query
-      ->condition('fc.active', 1)
-      ->condition('fc.storage_active', 1);
-  }
   $include_deleted = (isset($include_additional['include_deleted']) && $include_additional['include_deleted']);
   if (!$include_deleted) {
     $query->condition('fc.deleted', 0);
@@ -357,10 +344,8 @@ function field_read_fields($params = array(), $include_additional = array()) {
     $field['field_name'] = $record['field_name'];
     $field['type'] = $record['type'];
     $field['module'] = $record['module'];
-    $field['active'] = $record['active'];
     $field['storage']['type'] = $record['storage_type'];
     $field['storage']['module'] = $record['storage_module'];
-    $field['storage']['active'] = $record['storage_active'];
     $field['locked'] = $record['locked'];
     $field['cardinality'] = $record['cardinality'];
     $field['translatable'] = $record['translatable'];
@@ -454,7 +439,7 @@ function field_delete_field($field_name) {
 function field_create_instance($instance) {
   $field = field_read_field($instance['field_name']);
   if (empty($field)) {
-    throw new FieldException(t("Attempt to create an instance of a field @field_name that doesn't exist or is currently inactive.", array('@field_name' => $instance['field_name'])));
+    throw new FieldException(t("Attempt to create an instance of a field @field_name that doesn't exist.", array('@field_name' => $instance['field_name'])));
   }
   // Check that the required properties exists.
   if (empty($instance['entity_type'])) {
@@ -482,8 +467,6 @@ function field_create_instance($instance) {
   // Problem : this would mean that a UI module cannot update an instance with a disabled formatter.
 
   // Ensure the field instance is unique within the bundle.
-  // We only check for instances of active fields, since adding an instance of
-  // a disabled field is not supported.
   $prior_instance = field_read_instance($instance['entity_type'], $instance['field_name'], $instance['bundle']);
   if (!empty($prior_instance)) {
     $message = t('Attempt to create an instance of field @field_name on bundle @bundle that already has an instance of that field.', array('@field_name' => $instance['field_name'], '@bundle' => $instance['bundle']));
@@ -525,9 +508,8 @@ function field_update_instance($instance) {
     throw new FieldException(t('Attempt to update an instance of a nonexistent field @field.', array('@field' => $instance['field_name'])));
   }
 
-  // Check that the field instance exists (even if it is inactive, since we
-  // want to be able to replace inactive widgets with new ones).
-  $prior_instance = field_read_instance($instance['entity_type'], $instance['field_name'], $instance['bundle'], array('include_inactive' => TRUE));
+  // Check that the field instance exists.
+  $prior_instance = field_read_instance($instance['entity_type'], $instance['field_name'], $instance['bundle']);
   if (empty($prior_instance)) {
     throw new FieldException(t("Attempt to update an instance of field @field on bundle @bundle that doesn't exist.", array('@field' => $instance['field_name'], '@bundle' => $instance['bundle'])));
   }
@@ -650,10 +632,8 @@ function _field_write_instance($instance, $update = FALSE) {
  *   The bundle to which the field is bound.
  * @param array $include_additional
  *   The default behavior of this function is to not return an instance that
- *   has been deleted, or whose field is inactive. Setting
- *   $include_additional['include_inactive'] or
- *   $include_additional['include_deleted'] to TRUE will override this
- *   behavior.
+ *   has been deleted. Setting $include_additional['include_deleted'] to TRUE
+ *   will override this behavior.
  * @return
  *   An instance structure, or FALSE.
  */
@@ -671,15 +651,13 @@ function field_read_instance($entity_type, $field_name, $bundle, $include_additi
  *   field_config_instance table. If NULL, all instances will be returned.
  * @param $include_additional
  *   The default behavior of this function is to not return field
- *   instances that have been marked deleted, or whose field is inactive.
- *   Setting $include_additional['include_inactive'] or
- *   $include_additional['include_deleted'] to TRUE will override this
+ *   instances that have been marked deleted.
+ *   Setting $include_additional['include_deleted'] to TRUE will override this
  *   behavior.
  * @return
  *   An array of instances matching the arguments.
  */
 function field_read_instances($params = array(), $include_additional = array()) {
-  $include_inactive = isset($include_additional['include_inactive']) && $include_additional['include_inactive'];
   $include_deleted = isset($include_additional['include_deleted']) && $include_additional['include_deleted'];
 
   $query = db_select('field_config_instance', 'fci', array('fetch' => PDO::FETCH_ASSOC));
@@ -690,11 +668,6 @@ function field_read_instances($params = array(), $include_additional = array())
   foreach ($params as $key => $value) {
     $query->condition('fci.' . $key, $value);
   }
-  if (!$include_inactive) {
-    $query
-      ->condition('fc.active', 1)
-      ->condition('fc.storage_active', 1);
-  }
   if (!$include_deleted) {
     $query->condition('fc.deleted', 0);
     $query->condition('fci.deleted', 0);
@@ -707,18 +680,16 @@ function field_read_instances($params = array(), $include_additional = array())
     // Filter out instances on unknown entity types (for instance because the
     // module exposing them was disabled).
     $entity_info = entity_get_info($record['entity_type']);
-    if ($include_inactive || $entity_info) {
-      $instance = unserialize($record['data']);
-      $instance['id'] = $record['id'];
-      $instance['field_id'] = $record['field_id'];
-      $instance['field_name'] = $record['field_name'];
-      $instance['entity_type'] = $record['entity_type'];
-      $instance['bundle'] = $record['bundle'];
-      $instance['deleted'] = $record['deleted'];
-
-      module_invoke_all('field_read_instance', $instance);
-      $instances[] = $instance;
-    }
+    $instance = unserialize($record['data']);
+    $instance['id'] = $record['id'];
+    $instance['field_id'] = $record['field_id'];
+    $instance['field_name'] = $record['field_name'];
+    $instance['entity_type'] = $record['entity_type'];
+    $instance['bundle'] = $record['bundle'];
+    $instance['deleted'] = $record['deleted'];
+
+    module_invoke_all('field_read_instance', $instance);
+    $instances[] = $instance;
   }
   return $instances;
 }
diff --git a/core/modules/field/field.info.inc b/core/modules/field/field.info.inc
index 78bc62e..144b41c 100644
--- a/core/modules/field/field.info.inc
+++ b/core/modules/field/field.info.inc
@@ -172,14 +172,13 @@ function _field_info_collate_types_reset() {
  * @return
  *   An associative array containing:
  *   - fields: Array of existing fields, keyed by field ID. This element
- *     lists deleted and non-deleted fields, but not inactive ones.
+ *     lists deleted and non-deleted fields.
  *     Each field has an additional element, 'bundles', which is an array
  *     of all non-deleted instances of that field.
  *   - field_ids: Array of field IDs, keyed by field name. This element
- *     only lists non-deleted, active fields.
+ *     only lists non-deleted fields.
  *   - instances: Array of existing instances, keyed by entity type, bundle
- *     name and field name. This element only lists non-deleted instances
- *     whose field is active.
+ *     name and field name. This element only lists non-deleted instances.
  *
  * @see _field_info_collate_fields_reset()
  */
@@ -617,9 +616,8 @@ function field_info_fields() {
  *
  * @param $field_name
  *   The name of the field to retrieve. $field_name can only refer to a
- *   non-deleted, active field. For deleted fields, use
- *   field_info_field_by_id(). To retrieve information about inactive fields,
- *   use field_read_fields().
+ *   non-deleted field. For deleted fields, use
+ *   field_info_field_by_id().
  *
  * @return
  *   The field array, as returned by field_read_fields(), with an
@@ -640,7 +638,7 @@ function field_info_field($field_name) {
  *
  * @param $field_id
  *   The id of the field to retrieve. $field_id can refer to a
- *   deleted field, but not an inactive one.
+ *   deleted field.
  *
  * @return
  *   The field array, as returned by field_read_fields(), with an
diff --git a/core/modules/field/field.install b/core/modules/field/field.install
index 8aba2da..81d24ad 100644
--- a/core/modules/field/field.install
+++ b/core/modules/field/field.install
@@ -36,13 +36,6 @@ function field_schema() {
         'default' => '',
         'description' => 'The module that implements the field type.',
       ),
-      'active' => array(
-        'type' => 'int',
-        'size' => 'tiny',
-        'not null' => TRUE,
-        'default' => 0,
-        'description' => 'Boolean indicating whether the module that implements the field type is enabled.',
-      ),
       'storage_type' => array(
         'type' => 'varchar',
         'length' => 128,
@@ -56,13 +49,6 @@ function field_schema() {
         'default' => '',
         'description' => 'The module that implements the storage backend.',
       ),
-      'storage_active' => array(
-        'type' => 'int',
-        'size' => 'tiny',
-        'not null' => TRUE,
-        'default' => 0,
-        'description' => 'Boolean indicating whether the module that implements the storage backend is enabled.',
-      ),
       'locked' => array(
         'type' => 'int',
         'size' => 'tiny',
@@ -100,8 +86,6 @@ function field_schema() {
     'indexes' => array(
       'field_name' => array('field_name'),
       // Used by field_read_fields().
-      'active' => array('active'),
-      'storage_active' => array('storage_active'),
       'deleted' => array('deleted'),
       // Used by field_sync_field_status().
       'module' => array('module'),
@@ -181,7 +165,6 @@ function _update_7000_field_create_field(&$field) {
     'settings' => array(),
     'indexes' => array(),
     'deleted' => 0,
-    'active' => 1,
   );
 
   // Set storage.
@@ -189,7 +172,6 @@ function _update_7000_field_create_field(&$field) {
     'type' => 'field_sql_storage',
     'settings' => array(),
     'module' => 'field_sql_storage',
-    'active' => 1,
   );
 
   // Fetch the field schema to initialize columns and indexes. The field module
@@ -207,7 +189,7 @@ function _update_7000_field_create_field(&$field) {
   // have its own column and is not automatically populated when the field is
   // read.
   $data = $field;
-  unset($data['columns'], $data['field_name'], $data['type'], $data['active'], $data['module'], $data['storage_type'], $data['storage_active'], $data['storage_module'], $data['locked'], $data['cardinality'], $data['deleted']);
+  unset($data['columns'], $data['field_name'], $data['type'], $data['module'], $data['storage_type'], $data['storage_module'], $data['locked'], $data['cardinality'], $data['deleted']);
   // Additionally, do not save the 'bundles' property populated by
   // field_info_field().
   unset($data['bundles']);
@@ -217,10 +199,8 @@ function _update_7000_field_create_field(&$field) {
     'field_name' => $field['field_name'],
     'type' => $field['type'],
     'module' => $field['module'],
-    'active' => (int) $field['active'],
     'storage_type' => $field['storage']['type'],
     'storage_module' => $field['storage']['module'],
-    'storage_active' => (int) $field['storage']['active'],
     'locked' => (int) $field['locked'],
     'data' => serialize($data),
     'cardinality' => $field['cardinality'],
@@ -301,7 +281,7 @@ function _update_7000_field_delete_instance($field_name, $entity_type, $bundle)
  * Utility function: fetch all the field definitions from the database.
  *
  * Warning: unlike the field_read_fields() API function, this function returns
- * all fields by default, including deleted and inactive fields, unless
+ * all fields by default, including deleted fields, unless
  * specified otherwise in the $conditions parameter.
  *
  * @param $conditions
@@ -329,10 +309,8 @@ function _update_7000_field_read_fields(array $conditions = array(), $key = 'id'
     $field['field_name'] = $record['field_name'];
     $field['type'] = $record['type'];
     $field['module'] = $record['module'];
-    $field['active'] = $record['active'];
     $field['storage']['type'] = $record['storage_type'];
     $field['storage']['module'] = $record['storage_module'];
-    $field['storage']['active'] = $record['storage_active'];
     $field['locked'] = $record['locked'];
     $field['cardinality'] = $record['cardinality'];
     $field['translatable'] = $record['translatable'];
diff --git a/core/modules/field/field.module b/core/modules/field/field.module
index 1ea128b..1dbdc61 100644
--- a/core/modules/field/field.module
+++ b/core/modules/field/field.module
@@ -78,8 +78,6 @@ require_once DRUPAL_ROOT . '/core/modules/field/field.form.inc';
  *   field in the UI. Defaults to FALSE.
  * - module (string, read-only): The name of the module that implements the
  *   field type.
- * - active (integer, read-only): TRUE if the module that implements the field
- *   type is currently enabled, FALSE otherwise.
  * - deleted (integer, read-only): TRUE if this field has been deleted, FALSE
  *   otherwise. Deleted fields are ignored by the Field Attach API. This
  *   property exists because fields can be marked for deletion but only
@@ -109,8 +107,6 @@ require_once DRUPAL_ROOT . '/core/modules/field/field.form.inc';
  *     are defined by modules that implement hook_field_storage_info().
  *   - module (string, read-only): The name of the module that implements the
  *     storage backend.
- *   - active (integer, read-only): TRUE if the module that implements the
- *     storage backend is currently enabled, FALSE otherwise.
  *   - settings (array): A sub-array of key/value pairs of settings. Each
  *     storage backend defines and documents its own settings.
  *
@@ -334,103 +330,20 @@ function field_theme() {
  * Implements hook_cron().
  */
 function field_cron() {
-  // Refresh the 'active' status of fields.
-  field_sync_field_status();
-
   // Do a pass of purging on deleted Field API data, if any exists.
   $limit = variable_get('field_purge_batch_size', 10);
   field_purge_batch($limit);
 }
 
 /**
- * Implements hook_system_info_alter().
- *
- * Goes through a list of all modules that provide a field type, and makes them
- * required if there are any active fields of that type.
- */
-function field_system_info_alter(&$info, $file, $type) {
-  if ($type == 'module' && module_hook($file->name, 'field_info')) {
-    $fields = field_read_fields(array('module' => $file->name), array('include_deleted' => TRUE));
-    if ($fields) {
-      $info['required'] = TRUE;
-
-      // Provide an explanation message (only mention pending deletions if there
-      // remains no actual, non-deleted fields)
-      $non_deleted = FALSE;
-      foreach ($fields as $field) {
-        if (empty($field['deleted'])) {
-          $non_deleted = TRUE;
-          break;
-        }
-      }
-      if ($non_deleted) {
-        if (module_exists('field_ui')) {
-          $explanation = t('Field type(s) in use - see !link', array('!link' => l(t('Field list'), 'admin/reports/fields')));
-        }
-        else {
-          $explanation = t('Fields type(s) in use');
-        }
-      }
-      else {
-        $explanation = t('Fields pending deletion');
-      }
-      $info['explanation'] = $explanation;
-    }
-  }
-}
-
-/**
  * Implements hook_flush_caches().
  */
 function field_flush_caches() {
-  // Refresh the 'active' status of fields.
-  field_sync_field_status();
-
- // Request a flush of our cache table.
+  // Request a flush of our cache table.
   return array('field');
 }
 
 /**
- * Implements hook_modules_enabled().
- */
-function field_modules_enabled($modules) {
-  // Refresh the 'active' status of fields.
-  field_sync_field_status();
-}
-
-/**
- * Implements hook_modules_disabled().
- */
-function field_modules_disabled($modules) {
-  // Refresh the 'active' status of fields.
-  field_sync_field_status();
-}
-
-/**
- * Refreshes the 'active' and 'storage_active' columns for fields.
- */
-function field_sync_field_status() {
-  // Refresh the 'active' and 'storage_active' columns according to the current
-  // set of enabled modules.
-  $all_modules = system_rebuild_module_data();
-  $modules = array();
-  foreach ($all_modules as $module_name => $module) {
-    if ($module->status) {
-      $modules[] = $module_name;
-      field_associate_fields($module_name);
-    }
-  }
-  db_update('field_config')
-    ->fields(array('active' => 0))
-    ->condition('module', $modules, 'NOT IN')
-    ->execute();
-  db_update('field_config')
-    ->fields(array('storage_active' => 0))
-    ->condition('storage_module', $modules, 'NOT IN')
-    ->execute();
-}
-
-/**
  * Allows a module to update the database for fields and columns it controls.
  *
  * @param $module
@@ -441,7 +354,7 @@ function field_associate_fields($module) {
   $field_types = (array) module_invoke($module, 'field_info');
   if ($field_types) {
     db_update('field_config')
-      ->fields(array('module' => $module, 'active' => 1))
+      ->fields(array('module' => $module))
       ->condition('type', array_keys($field_types))
       ->execute();
   }
@@ -449,7 +362,7 @@ function field_associate_fields($module) {
   $storage_types = (array) module_invoke($module, 'field_storage_info');
   if ($storage_types) {
     db_update('field_config')
-      ->fields(array('storage_module' => $module, 'storage_active' => 1))
+      ->fields(array('storage_module' => $module))
       ->condition('storage_type', array_keys($storage_types))
       ->execute();
   }
diff --git a/core/modules/field/modules/field_sql_storage/field_sql_storage.install b/core/modules/field/modules/field_sql_storage/field_sql_storage.install
index 4a3a00e..5a0b2f0 100644
--- a/core/modules/field/modules/field_sql_storage/field_sql_storage.install
+++ b/core/modules/field/modules/field_sql_storage/field_sql_storage.install
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ function field_sql_storage_schema() {
 
   // Dynamic (data) tables.
   if (db_table_exists('field_config')) {
-    $fields = field_read_fields(array(), array('include_deleted' => TRUE, 'include_inactive' => TRUE));
+    $fields = field_read_fields(array(), array('include_deleted' => TRUE));
     drupal_load('module', 'field_sql_storage');
     foreach ($fields as $field) {
       if ($field['storage']['type'] == 'field_sql_storage') {
diff --git a/core/modules/field/modules/field_sql_storage/field_sql_storage.module b/core/modules/field/modules/field_sql_storage/field_sql_storage.module
index adc50bd..3cce888 100644
--- a/core/modules/field/modules/field_sql_storage/field_sql_storage.module
+++ b/core/modules/field/modules/field_sql_storage/field_sql_storage.module
@@ -687,8 +687,8 @@ function field_sql_storage_field_storage_delete_instance($instance) {
  * Implements hook_field_attach_rename_bundle().
  */
 function field_sql_storage_field_attach_rename_bundle($entity_type, $bundle_old, $bundle_new) {
-  // We need to account for deleted or inactive fields and instances.
-  $instances = field_read_instances(array('entity_type' => $entity_type, 'bundle' => $bundle_new), array('include_deleted' => TRUE, 'include_inactive' => TRUE));
+  // We need to account for deleted fields and instances.
+  $instances = field_read_instances(array('entity_type' => $entity_type, 'bundle' => $bundle_new), array('include_deleted' => TRUE));
   foreach ($instances as $instance) {
     $field = field_info_field_by_id($instance['field_id']);
     if ($field['storage']['type'] == 'field_sql_storage') {
diff --git a/core/modules/field/tests/field.test b/core/modules/field/tests/field.test
index 3566484..11e46a7 100644
--- a/core/modules/field/tests/field.test
+++ b/core/modules/field/tests/field.test
@@ -1102,7 +1102,6 @@ class FieldInfoTestCase extends FieldTestCase {
       $this->assertEqual($fields[$field['field_name']]['settings'][$key], $val, t("Field setting $key has correct default value $val"));
     }
     $this->assertEqual($fields[$field['field_name']]['cardinality'], 1, t('info fields contains cardinality 1'));
-    $this->assertEqual($fields[$field['field_name']]['active'], 1, t('info fields contains active 1'));
 
     // Create an instance, verify that it shows up
     $instance = array(
@@ -2380,69 +2379,6 @@ class FieldCrudTestCase extends FieldTestCase {
       $this->pass(t("An unchangeable setting cannot be updated."));
     }
   }
-
-  /**
-   * Test that fields are properly marked active or inactive.
-   */
-  function testActive() {
-    $field_definition = array(
-      'field_name' => 'field_1',
-      'type' => 'test_field',
-      // For this test, we need a storage backend provided by a different
-      // module than field_test.module.
-      'storage' => array(
-        'type' => 'field_sql_storage',
-      ),
-    );
-    field_create_field($field_definition);
-
-    // Test disabling and enabling:
-    // - the field type module,
-    // - the storage module,
-    // - both.
-    $this->_testActiveHelper($field_definition, array('field_test'));
-    $this->_testActiveHelper($field_definition, array('field_sql_storage'));
-    $this->_testActiveHelper($field_definition, array('field_test', 'field_sql_storage'));
-  }
-
-  /**
-   * Helper function for testActive().
-   *
-   * Test dependency between a field and a set of modules.
-   *
-   * @param $field_definition
-   *   A field definition.
-   * @param $modules
-   *   An aray of module names. The field will be tested to be inactive as long
-   *   as any of those modules is disabled.
-   */
-  function _testActiveHelper($field_definition, $modules) {
-    $field_name = $field_definition['field_name'];
-
-    // Read the field.
-    $field = field_read_field($field_name);
-    $this->assertTrue($field_definition <= $field, t('The field was properly read.'));
-
-    module_disable($modules, FALSE);
-
-    $fields = field_read_fields(array('field_name' => $field_name), array('include_inactive' => TRUE));
-    $this->assertTrue(isset($fields[$field_name]) && $field_definition < $field, t('The field is properly read when explicitly fetching inactive fields.'));
-
-    // Re-enable modules one by one, and check that the field is still inactive
-    // while some modules remain disabled.
-    while ($modules) {
-      $field = field_read_field($field_name);
-      $this->assertTrue(empty($field), t('%modules disabled. The field is marked inactive.', array('%modules' => implode(', ', $modules))));
-
-      $module = array_shift($modules);
-      module_enable(array($module), FALSE);
-    }
-
-    // Check that the field is active again after all modules have been
-    // enabled.
-    $field = field_read_field($field_name);
-    $this->assertTrue($field_definition <= $field, t('The field was was marked active.'));
-  }
 }
 
 class FieldInstanceCrudTestCase extends FieldTestCase {
@@ -3178,7 +3114,7 @@ class FieldBulkDeleteTestCase extends FieldTestCase {
     field_delete_instance($instance);
 
     // The instance still exists, deleted.
-    $instances = field_read_instances(array('field_id' => $field['id'], 'deleted' => 1), array('include_deleted' => 1, 'include_inactive' => 1));
+    $instances = field_read_instances(array('field_id' => $field['id'], 'deleted' => 1), array('include_deleted' => 1));
     $this->assertEqual(count($instances), 1, 'There is one deleted instance');
     $this->assertEqual($instances[0]['bundle'], $bundle, 'The deleted instance is for the correct bundle');
 
@@ -3256,18 +3192,18 @@ class FieldBulkDeleteTestCase extends FieldTestCase {
     $this->checkHooksInvocations($hooks, $actual_hooks);
 
     // The instance still exists, deleted.
-    $instances = field_read_instances(array('field_id' => $field['id'], 'deleted' => 1), array('include_deleted' => 1, 'include_inactive' => 1));
+    $instances = field_read_instances(array('field_id' => $field['id'], 'deleted' => 1), array('include_deleted' => 1));
     $this->assertEqual(count($instances), 1, 'There is one deleted instance');
 
     // Purge the instance.
     field_purge_batch($batch_size);
 
     // The instance is gone.
-    $instances = field_read_instances(array('field_id' => $field['id'], 'deleted' => 1), array('include_deleted' => 1, 'include_inactive' => 1));
+    $instances = field_read_instances(array('field_id' => $field['id'], 'deleted' => 1), array('include_deleted' => 1));
     $this->assertEqual(count($instances), 0, 'The instance is gone');
 
     // The field still exists, not deleted, because it has a second instance.
-    $fields = field_read_fields(array('id' => $field['id']), array('include_deleted' => 1, 'include_inactive' => 1));
+    $fields = field_read_fields(array('id' => $field['id']), array('include_deleted' => 1);
     $this->assertTrue(isset($fields[$field['id']]), 'The field exists and is not deleted');
   }
 
@@ -3344,7 +3280,7 @@ class FieldBulkDeleteTestCase extends FieldTestCase {
     field_purge_batch(0);
 
     // The field is gone.
-    $fields = field_read_fields(array('id' => $field['id']), array('include_deleted' => 1, 'include_inactive' => 1));
+    $fields = field_read_fields(array('id' => $field['id']), array('include_deleted' => 1));
     $this->assertEqual(count($fields), 0, 'The field is purged.');
   }
 }
diff --git a/core/modules/field/tests/field_test.storage.inc b/core/modules/field/tests/field_test.storage.inc
index a26af17..3c9b251 100644
--- a/core/modules/field/tests/field_test.storage.inc
+++ b/core/modules/field/tests/field_test.storage.inc
@@ -430,8 +430,8 @@ function field_test_field_attach_create_bundle($bundle) {
 function field_test_field_attach_rename_bundle($bundle_old, $bundle_new) {
   $data = _field_test_storage_data();
 
-  // We need to account for deleted or inactive fields and instances.
-  $instances = field_read_instances(array('bundle' => $bundle_new), array('include_deleted' => TRUE, 'include_inactive' => TRUE));
+  // We need to account for deleted fields and instances.
+  $instances = field_read_instances(array('bundle' => $bundle_new), array('include_deleted' => TRUE));
   foreach ($instances as $field_name => $instance) {
     $field = field_info_field_by_id($instance['field_id']);
     if ($field['storage']['type'] == 'field_test_storage') {
diff --git a/core/modules/field_ui/field_ui.admin.inc b/core/modules/field_ui/field_ui.admin.inc
index c22fe21..91d2fa2 100644
--- a/core/modules/field_ui/field_ui.admin.inc
+++ b/core/modules/field_ui/field_ui.admin.inc
@@ -53,27 +53,6 @@ function field_ui_fields_list() {
 }
 
 /**
- * Displays a message listing the inactive fields of a given bundle.
- */
-function field_ui_inactive_message($entity_type, $bundle) {
-  $inactive_instances = field_ui_inactive_instances($entity_type, $bundle);
-  if (!empty($inactive_instances)) {
-    $field_types = field_info_field_types();
-    $widget_types = field_info_widget_types();
-
-    foreach ($inactive_instances as $field_name => $instance) {
-      $list[] = t('%field (@field_name) field requires the %widget_type widget provided by %widget_module module', array(
-      '%field' => $instance['label'],
-      '@field_name' => $instance['field_name'],
-      '%widget_type' => isset($widget_types[$instance['widget']['type']]) ? $widget_types[$instance['widget']['type']]['label'] : $instance['widget']['type'],
-      '%widget_module' => $instance['widget']['module'],
-      ));
-    }
-    drupal_set_message(t('Inactive fields are not shown unless their providing modules are enabled. The following fields are not enabled: !list', array('!list' => theme('item_list', array('items' => $list)))), 'error');
-  }
-}
-
-/**
  * Determines the rendering order of an array representing a tree.
  *
  * Callback for array_reduce() within field_ui_table_pre_render().
@@ -295,7 +274,6 @@ function theme_field_ui_table($variables) {
 function field_ui_field_overview_form($form, &$form_state, $entity_type, $bundle) {
   $bundle = field_extract_bundle($entity_type, $bundle);
 
-  field_ui_inactive_message($entity_type, $bundle);
   $admin_path = _field_ui_bundle_admin_path($entity_type, $bundle);
 
   // When displaying the form, make sure the list of fields is up-to-date.
@@ -729,10 +707,7 @@ function _field_ui_field_overview_form_validate_add_new($form, &$form_state) {
 function _field_ui_field_name_exists($value) {
   // Prefix with 'field_'.
   $field_name = 'field_' . $value;
-
-  // We need to check inactive fields as well, so we can't use
-  // field_info_fields().
-  return (bool) field_read_fields(array('field_name' => $field_name), array('include_inactive' => TRUE));
+  return (bool) field_read_fields(array('field_name' => $field_name));
 }
 
 /**
@@ -892,7 +867,6 @@ function field_ui_field_overview_form_submit($form, &$form_state) {
 function field_ui_display_overview_form($form, &$form_state, $entity_type, $bundle, $view_mode) {
   $bundle = field_extract_bundle($entity_type, $bundle);
 
-  field_ui_inactive_message($entity_type, $bundle);
   $admin_path = _field_ui_bundle_admin_path($entity_type, $bundle);
 
   // Gather type information.
diff --git a/core/modules/field_ui/field_ui.module b/core/modules/field_ui/field_ui.module
index c75005a..b5c2e12 100644
--- a/core/modules/field_ui/field_ui.module
+++ b/core/modules/field_ui/field_ui.module
@@ -324,33 +324,6 @@ function _field_ui_bundle_admin_path($entity_type, $bundle_name) {
 }
 
 /**
- * Identifies inactive fields within a bundle.
- */
-function field_ui_inactive_instances($entity_type, $bundle_name = NULL) {
-  if (!empty($bundle_name)) {
-    $inactive = array($bundle_name => array());
-    $params = array('bundle' => $bundle_name);
-  }
-  else {
-    $inactive = array();
-    $params = array();
-  }
-  $params['entity_type'] = $entity_type;
-
-  $active_instances = field_info_instances($entity_type);
-  $all_instances = field_read_instances($params, array('include_inactive' => TRUE));
-  foreach ($all_instances as $instance) {
-    if (!isset($active_instances[$instance['bundle']][$instance['field_name']])) {
-      $inactive[$instance['bundle']][$instance['field_name']] = $instance;
-    }
-  }
-  if (!empty($bundle_name)) {
-    return $inactive[$bundle_name];
-  }
-  return $inactive;
-}
-
-/**
  * Implements hook_form_FORM_ID_alter().
  *
  * Adds a button 'Save and add fields' to the 'Create content type' form.