Why can't I activate Windows 10?
If you received a message saying that Windows 10 couldn't be activated, here are a few reasons why it might not have worked, and some things you can try to fix the problem. For more info about activation errors not listed on this page, see Get help with Windows 10 activation errors.
For additional help with the activation process, go to the product activation article.
If you upgraded to Windows 10 for free and ended up in a non-activated state, try following these steps:
Go to Start
, then select Settings > Update & security > Activation.
Select Go to Store, and check to see if a valid license is available for your device. If a license isn't available, you'll need to buy Windows from the Store.
Note:
This only applies if you haven't made changes to the hardware for your device.You upgraded to Windows 10, but didn't have a previous version or the correct edition of Windows installed (error 0xC004F061)
If you see error 0xC004F061 when you try to activate Windows 10, it means one of the following:
You're using a product key to upgrade to Windows 10, but a previous version of Windows wasn't installed on your PC. To update, you need to have Windows 8 or Windows 7 already on your PC.
If you formatted or replaced your hard drive, you won't be able to use a product key to update to Windows 10. You'll need to install your previous version of Windows, and then reinstall Windows 10.
A different version of Windows or the product key might have been used as part of a repair
If you took your PC to a repair shop or to someone who builds and fixes PCs, it's possible that a different version of Windows was installed to complete a repair. Or, if a different product key was used for your PC during the repair, that key might be blocked if it was used on more PCs than the Microsoft Software License Terms allow.
If Windows was activated before your PC was repaired or rebuilt, then re-entering the product key that came with your PC or original copy of Windows might solve the problem. You can also try reinstalling your original version of Windows.
One copy of Windows might have been installed on multiple PCs (error 0xC004C008)
If you have one copy of Windows and installed it on more than one PC, activation might not work because the product key has already been used on another PC, or it's being used on more PCs than the Microsoft Software License Terms allow.
If your product key is being used on more PCs than the Microsoft Software License Terms allow, you'll need to buy a new product key or copy of Windows for each of your PCs in order to activate them.
Counterfeit software
If you have a counterfeit copy of Windows that wasn't published and licensed by Microsoft, activation won't work because Microsoft won't be able to create a match between your PC's hardware profile and your 25-character product key.
The How to Tell webpage on the Microsoft website can help you figure out if your copy of Windows is counterfeit. If it is, you'll need to buy a new copy of Windows.
Used PC
If you bought a used PC with Windows already installed on it, it's possible that the product key is being used on more PCs than the Microsoft Software License Terms allow.
You might need to ask the seller you bought the used PC from for the original Windows DVD and product key. If the DVD and product key aren't available, or if you tried them and still can't activate, you'll need to buy a new key or copy of Windows.
Hardware changes
If you made substantial hardware changes to your PC, such as replacing your hard drive or motherboard, Windows might no longer be activated on your PC. For info on how to activate your PC, see the product activation article.
If you received a message saying that Windows 10 couldn't be activated, here are a few reasons why it might not have worked, and some things you can try to fix the problem. For more info about activation errors not listed on this page, see Get help with Windows 10 activation errors.
For additional help with the activation process, go to the product activation article.
How to Install Windows 10, please click HERE!
You upgraded to Windows 10 for free from Windows 7 Service Pack 1 orWindows 8.1 Update
If you upgraded to Windows 10 for free and ended up in a non-activated state, try following these steps:
Go to Start
, then select Settings > Update & security > Activation.Select Go to Store, and check to see if a valid license is available for your device. If a license isn't available, you'll need to buy Windows from the Store.
Note:
This only applies if you haven't made changes to the hardware for your device.You upgraded to Windows 10, but didn't have a previous version or the correct edition of Windows installed (error 0xC004F061)
If you see error 0xC004F061 when you try to activate Windows 10, it means one of the following:
You're using a product key to upgrade to Windows 10, but a previous version of Windows wasn't installed on your PC. To update, you need to have Windows 8 or Windows 7 already on your PC.
If you formatted or replaced your hard drive, you won't be able to use a product key to update to Windows 10. You'll need to install your previous version of Windows, and then reinstall Windows 10.
A different version of Windows or the product key might have been used as part of a repair
If you took your PC to a repair shop or to someone who builds and fixes PCs, it's possible that a different version of Windows was installed to complete a repair. Or, if a different product key was used for your PC during the repair, that key might be blocked if it was used on more PCs than the Microsoft Software License Terms allow.
If Windows was activated before your PC was repaired or rebuilt, then re-entering the product key that came with your PC or original copy of Windows might solve the problem. You can also try reinstalling your original version of Windows.
One copy of Windows might have been installed on multiple PCs (error 0xC004C008)
If you have one copy of Windows and installed it on more than one PC, activation might not work because the product key has already been used on another PC, or it's being used on more PCs than the Microsoft Software License Terms allow.
If your product key is being used on more PCs than the Microsoft Software License Terms allow, you'll need to buy a new product key or copy of Windows for each of your PCs in order to activate them.
Counterfeit software
If you have a counterfeit copy of Windows that wasn't published and licensed by Microsoft, activation won't work because Microsoft won't be able to create a match between your PC's hardware profile and your 25-character product key.
The How to Tell webpage on the Microsoft website can help you figure out if your copy of Windows is counterfeit. If it is, you'll need to buy a new copy of Windows.
Used PC
If you bought a used PC with Windows already installed on it, it's possible that the product key is being used on more PCs than the Microsoft Software License Terms allow.
You might need to ask the seller you bought the used PC from for the original Windows DVD and product key. If the DVD and product key aren't available, or if you tried them and still can't activate, you'll need to buy a new key or copy of Windows.
Hardware changes
If you made substantial hardware changes to your PC, such as replacing your hard drive or motherboard, Windows might no longer be activated on your PC. For info on how to activate your PC, see the product activation article.
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