Windows 10: Activate Windows watermark suddenly appearing after recent windows update

As the title suggests. After a recent windows update the "Activate Windows. Go to Settings to Activate Windows" watermark starts displaying itself after a while of my computer being on. I've had this computer for roughly 7 years and have never seen this watermark pop up ever.


I bought this computer off a website called IBuyPower 7 years ago after selecting the parts and having them assemble it for me online. Originally I ordered this computer with Windows 7. However years ago when there was a free upgrade offered from Windows 7 to Windows 10 I decided to use the free upgrade. I've never seen the watermark even after upgrading.


Now, when I go into Activation Settings I have a yellow error text under my Prodcut ID and Product Key and when I click trouble shoot it says I can't activate windows at this time.

:)

 

Windows Update suddenly hangs?

Windows Update is suddenly hanging for some reason... I went and downloaded and installed the first bunch of updates, restarted when asked, and now when I go back to windows update I just get the window with a white box forever. Reboot and it still does it. This happens to be on my main machine, running windows 7.

I've also noticed when I reboot it says configuring windows update, step 3 of 3, 47%. Maybe it somehow skipped something and is screwed forever?

 

Activate Windows watermark suddenly appeared

No changes have been made to the hardware, and I've had this laptop for nearly two years. This morning, a watermark appeared in the bottom right corner of my screen telling me to activate windows.

On the activation page in settings it tells me I don't have a valid digital license or product key, with the error code "0xc004f012".

It also suggests that I try the troubleshooter below, which then tells me that troubleshooting was interrupted and gives the error code "0xc3f6501".

 

Activate Windows Watermark

Hi Duncan,

The Windows activation watermark is usually appearing if the activation servers detect that a device is not activated. For further help with activating your copy of Windows 10, visit this
link. If the same issue persists after performing the troubleshooting suggestions on the link, follow these steps:

• Using Cortana, type Notepad and then click on Notepad (Desktop app).
• Type the following commands in Notepad:
  • @Echo off
    
    taskkill /F /IM explorer.exe
    
    explorer.exe
    
    exit
    
    
• 
  Save the file and name it as Activation.bat.
  
• 
  Change the Save as type to All files.
  
• 
  Locate the file, right-click on it and then choose Run as Administrator.
  
• 
  After running the file, restart your computer and then check if the same issue persists.
  

Let us know if further assistance is needed.