In this guide, we will learn how to check Windows Activation Status and troubleshoot activation errors. Activation helps verify that the copy of Windows that you are running is genuine. That it hasn’t been used on more devices than the Microsoft Software License Term allows. In this article, we shall discuss how to Check Windows Activation Status and troubleshoot activation errors. Please see how to fix the following issue “Failed to run the action install Operating System: Lifetouch deployment failed.
As mentioned earlier, this guide will help you determine the most common Windows activation errors. Which will in turn help you troubleshoot and fix any activation errors in Windows.
Here are some guides to Windows 11: How to end a program via the Task Manager in Windows 11. See how to create Task Manager Shortcut: How to add access, pin the Task Manager on Windows 11,
Methods of Windows Activation
Depending on how you got your copy of Windows 10 or Windows 11. You will either need a digital license or a 25-character product key to activate it. Without one of these, you won’t be able to activate your device.
A digital license also called a digital entitlement in Windows 11. It is a method of activation in Windows 11 that doesn’t require you to enter a product key.
- The Product key is a
25- character codeused for activating Windows. What you will see is PRODUCT KEY: XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX.
After determining which activation method you use. Follow the steps in the corresponding guide on how to check Windows 10 activation status and change your product key. Or use Software Licensing Management Tool (slmgr) to install and uninstall the Windows product key.
Check Windows Activation Status
You must link your Microsoft account to the Windows 10 or Windows 11 license on your device.
Linking your Microsoft account with your digital license enables you to reactivate Windows. This is possible using the Activation troubleshooter whenever you make a significant hardware change. To check activation status in Windows 11, select the
- Start button, and then
- Select Settings
- Then System and then
- Select Activation .
From the image below, the activation status is displayed under the “Activation State".
Here is a guide on how to check Windows 10 activation status and change your product key. See how “how to find your Windows 10 Product key“.
Try the Windows Activation Troubleshooter
When having Windows activation issues such as the one shown below, make sure the error hasn’t changed. Sometimes when you run the Activation troubleshooter or try to activate it, the error code and message will change.
If the error code has changed, look up the new code below and follow the recommended steps.
See how to fix Error code 0x8007232B:we can’t connect to your organization’s activation server.
Common Windows Activation Status [Check Windows Activation Status and troubleshoot activation errors]
The following are some of the most common activation errors with possible solutions for Windows 10 and Windows 11. This table will help you detect Windows activation errors.
| Error | What it means and how to fix it |
|---|---|
| Windows reported that the hardware of your device has changed.0xC004F211 | A Windows license is associated with your device’s hardware. If you make significant hardware changes, such as replacing your motherboard, Windows won’t be able to find a matching license the next time you start your device. If Windows was preinstalled on the device and you have made a change such as replacing the motherboard, you’ll need a new license. To purchase a new Windows license, Start > Settings > System > Activation, and then select Go to Microsoft Store. Open Activation settings. If you have a Windows product key you used on your device before the hardware change, enter it by selecting Start > Settings > System > Activation, and then selecting Change product key. Additionally, Microsoft provides an exception path for transferring a Windows License after a hardware change. You’ll need to be signed in to the same Microsoft account before making the hardware change and to use the exception path. To access this exception path, select Start > Settings > System > Activation , and then select Troubleshoot. If the troubleshooter can’t resolve the issue, you’ll see a link to reactivate after a hardware change. Select it to follow this path. |
| The product key used on this device didn’t work with this edition of Windows. You might need to get in touch with the store or company you bought Windows from, enter a different product key, or go to the store to buy genuine Windows.0xC004F212 | When you reinstall Windows 11 using a digital license, you’re asked to choose which edition to install. If you choose an edition other than the one you’re licensed to use, you may receive this error. If you think you installed the wrong edition, select Start > Settings > System > Activation , and then select Troubleshoot. If the troubleshooter detects a valid Windows 11 digital license for an edition not currently installed, it will let you know and show you how to install the correct edition. |
| Windows reported that no product key was found on your device. 0xC004F213 | A Windows license is associated with your device hardware. If you make significant hardware changes, such as replacing your motherboard, Windows won’t be able to find a matching license the next time you start your device. If Windows was preinstalled on the device and you have made a change such as replacing the motherboard, you’ll need a new license. To purchase a new Windows license, select Start > Settings > System > Activation, and then select Go to Microsoft Store. Open Activation settings If you have a Windows product key you used on your device before the hardware change, enter it by selecting Start > Settings > System > Activation, and then selecting Change product key. In addition, Microsoft provides an exception path for transferring a Windows License after a hardware change. You’ll need to be signed in to the same Microsoft account before making the hardware change and to use the exception path. To access this exception path, select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Activation , and then select Troubleshoot. If the troubleshooter can’t resolve the issue, you’ll see a link to reactivate after a hardware change. Select it to follow this path. |
| “Your Windows License Will Expire Soon” warning | This may occur if you have a volume license client installed. Windows 11 Pro volume license clients are used by large organizations that deploy Windows 11 to hundreds or thousands of computers. In this situation, activation is typically managed by your organization, and you’ll need to contact your system administrator for assistance. |
| 0x803f7001 | If you see error code 0x803F7001, it means that a valid Windows 11 license couldn’t be found to activate Windows on your device. Here’s how to activate Windows:Select Start > Settings > System > Activation. If you have a valid product key, select Change product key, and then enter the 25-character product key. If you don’t have a valid product key, select Go to Microsoft Store, and follow the instructions to buy a digital license for Windows. Open Activation settings. Note: Your product key should be in the confirmation email you received after buying Windows, included with the packaging that came with your device, or on the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) attached to the back or bottom of your device. |
| 0x800704cF | This error means we didn’t find a valid Windows license for your device. You must use a valid product key to activate Windows. Your product key should be in the confirmation email you received after buying Windows, included with the packaging that came with your device, or on the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) attached to the back or bottom of your device. If you have a valid product key, use it to activate Windows: Select Start > Settings > System > Activation .Select Change product key, and then enter the 25-character product key. |
| 0xC004C060, 0xC004C4A2, 0xC004C4A2, 0x803FA067L, 0xC004C001, 0xC004C004, 0xC004F004, 0xC004C007, 0xC004F005, 0xC004C00F, 0xC004C010, 0xC004C00E, 0xC004C4A4, 0xC004C4A5, 0xC004B001, 0xC004F010, 0xC004F050 | Reasons why you might see these errors: You entered a product key that can’t be used to activate Windows. Enter a different product key or buy a new product key. You upgraded to Windows 11, but the activation servers were busy. If you upgraded from an activated copy of Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, your copy of Windows 11 will be automatically activated, or you can wait a while and then select Activate. You upgraded to Windows 11 using the free upgrade offer, but Windows 11 isn’t activated after a reinstall. Your copy of Windows 11 should automatically be activated as long as you didn’t make any significant hardware changes to your device (such as replacing the motherboard). |
| 0xC004C003 | You may see this error because the Windows 11 product key you entered isn’t valid. Product keys are unique—assigned to a specific user to install on a single device. If a key was used (or attempted to be used) on multiple devices, it’s marked as not valid. To activate Windows, you’ll need to provide a different Windows key unique to your device. If you bought a device from a reseller of Windows 11 and expected the key to be valid, contact the reseller. If your device was purchased with Windows 11 preinstalled and you received this activation error upon turning it on for the first time, contact your device manufacturer. If your experience with your device is different from those listed above, try the following: Run the Windows Activation Troubleshooter: Select Start > Settings > System > Activation, and then select Troubleshoot. Open Activation settings and check to see if you have a paper copy of your Windows 25-character product key you can enter to activate Windows 11. If your device was recently repaired at an independent repair facility, contact them to see if the repairs require a new Windows 11 license. If the device is new and has never been activated, contact your device manufacturer. |
| 0xC004F034 | You might see this error if you entered an invalid product key or a product key for a different version of Windows. Enter a valid product key that matches the version and edition of Windows 11 installed on your device. If Windows is installed on a device that connects to a Key Management Service (KMS) server, contact your organization’s support person for more info about how to activate Windows. |
| 0xC004F210 | You might see this error if you entered a product key for a different edition of Windows than the edition installed on your device. You might also see this error if you previously upgraded to Windows 11, but the current edition of Windows installed on your device doesn’t match the edition of your digital license. You can either enter a valid product key that matches the edition of Windows installed on your device or reinstall the edition of Windows 11 that matches your digital license. If your device is running Windows 11 (Version 1607 or later), the Activation troubleshooter can help you install the correct edition of Windows on your device. |
| 0xC004E016, 0xC004F210 | You might see this error if you entered a product key for a different version or edition of Windows. For example, a product key for the Enterprise edition of Windows 11cacan’t be used to activate Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Core editions. Enter a product key that matches the version and edition of Windows installed on your device or buy a new copy of Windows from the Microsoft Store. |
| 0xC004FC03 | You might see this error if you’re not connected to the internet or your firewall settings are preventing Windows from completing the activation process online. Make sure that you’re connected to the internet and your firewall isn’t blocking Windows from activating. If you’re still having problems, try to activate Windows by phone. In the search box on the taskbar, type SLUI 04, select SLUI 04 from the list of results and then follow the instructions on the screen to activate Windows. Note: If you’re running Windows 11 Pro EDU or Windows 11 Pro for Workstations, you must activate Windows over the internet—phone activation and SLUI 04 can’t be used. |
| 0xC004E028 | You might see this error if you try to activate a device that is already in the process of activation. Your device should be activated after the first request is completed. |
| 0x8007267C | You might see this error if you’re not connected to the internet or the activation server is temporarily unavailable. Make sure that you’re connected to the internet and your firewall isn’t blocking Windows from activating. |
| 0xD0000272, 0xC0000272, 0xc004C012, 0xC004C013, 0xC004C014 | If the activation server is temporarily unavailable, your copy of Windows will automatically be activated when the service comes back online. |
| 0xC004C008, 0xC004C770, 0x803FA071 | You might see this error if the product key has already been used on another device, or it’s being used on more devices than the Microsoft Software License Terms allow. To fix the problem, buy a product key for each one of your devices to activate Windows on them. If you’re using Windows 11, you can buy Windows from the Microsoft Store: Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Activation . Select Go to Microsoft Store, then follow the instructions to buy Windows 11. Open Activation settingsNotes: If you don’t see Go to Microsoft Store on the Activation page, contact your organization’s support person. If you made substantial hardware changes to your device (such as replacing the motherboard) and you have a valid product key, try to activate Windows by phone. In the search box on the taskbar, type SLUI 04, select SLUI 04 from the list of results and then follow the instructions on the screen to activate Windows. |
| 0xC004F00F | You might see this error if you entered a product key for the Enterprise edition of Windows to activate Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro. Enter a product key that matches the edition of Windows on your device. |
| 0xC004C020 | This error occurs when a Volume License (a license that was bought from Microsoft by an organization to install Windows on multiple devices) was used on more devices than the Microsoft Software License Terms allow. To fix the problem, you might need to use a different product key to activate Windows on your device. Contact your organization’s support person for more info. |
| 0x8007232B, 0xC004F074, 0xC004F038, 0x8007007B | You might see this error if you entered a product key for the Enterprise edition of Windows to activate Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro. Try entering a product key that matches the edition of Windows on your device. Or, you might see this error if you’re trying to activate your work device but aren’t connected to your workplace’s network. If you’re connected to your work network and still see this error, you might need to change the network settings. Contact your organization’s support person for more info. If your organization doesn’t have a support person, you might need to enter your product key again: Select Start > Settings > System > Activation . Select Change product key, and then type your 25-character product key. You might be asked for an admin password or to confirm your choice. |
| 0x80072F8F | You might see this error if the date and time for the device is incorrect, or Windows has trouble connecting to the online activation service and can’t verify your product key.To verify the date and time, select Start > Settings > Time & language > Date & time. Verify date and time in Settings To check your internet connection: In the search box on the taskbar, type Network troubleshooter, then select Identify and repair network problems from the list of results. Follow the instructions to fix any problems with the network. If the network troubleshooter didn’t find any problems with your network connection, try restarting your device to see if that fixes the problem. |
| 0xC004E003 | You might see this error after installing third-party software that changed system files. Windows activation needs certain system files to complete activation. You can try to restore the system files back to an earlier point in time. This removes any software you installed after that point in time without affecting your personal files. |
| 0x80004005 | Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Activation , and then select Troubleshoot to run the Activation troubleshooter. If this doesn’t work, you might need to reset your device. |
| 0x87e10bc6 | An error occurred with our activation server or licensing service. Please wait a few minutes and then try the following Windows 11 Pro License Recovery steps: Select Start > Settings > System > Activation, and then select Troubleshoot to run the Activation troubleshooter. Open Activation settings when the troubleshooter is complete, select Go to Microsoft Store to launch the Microsoft Store app. If the Microsoft Store app shows there was a problem, select Try again. After a few minutes, you should see a message that thanking you for activating genuine Windows, followed by another message showing that Windows was activated. |
| 0x80070652 | This error can occur if the update components are missing or corrupted on the computer. This error might also occur due to poor network connectivity received by the system. Use the Windows update troubleshooter to check for corrupted or missing updates or components. Running the troubleshooter will help find and in some cases fix the issue. Also, check the strength of your internet connection. |
| All other error codes | Go to Windows Help, enter the error code in the Search for Help box at the top-right, and run the search. Browse through the search results carefully to make sure you try only those that apply to your situation. |
I hope you found this blog post helpful on how to check Windows Activation Status and how to troubleshoot activation errors. If you have any questions, please let me know in the comment session.
