Windows 10: Have been trying to Activate Windows 11 Pro for almost a year with absolutely no success....

Have been trying to Activate Windows 11 Pro for almost a year with absolutely no success. Have even reinstalled. Copilot will only waste your precious time.Also had "started a case" and have received absolutely no worthwhile help since. Copilot simply sends you in a circle of no solutions.Have been a lifelong windows supporter. I simply can not stand this anymore.

:)

 

Windows 11 Pro activation key

Thanks for reaching out! I'm an Independent Advisor and a Microsoft user like you.

Have you tried logging in with the account linked to the digital license on your device? I've provided a few steps you can try including some more you can follow:

1. Link your Microsoft account: Ensure that your Microsoft account is linked to the digital license on your device. Go to Settings > Accounts > Your info and check if your Microsoft account is listed there. If not, click "Sign in with a Microsoft account instead" to link your account.
   
2. Run the Activation Troubleshooter: Go to Settings > System > Activation, and click the "Troubleshoot" button. This will launch the Activation Troubleshooter, which can help reactivate Windows after a hardware change if your Microsoft account is linked correctly.
   
3. Enter your existing product key: If the Troubleshooter doesn't resolve the issue, try entering your existing Windows 11 Pro product key. Go to Settings > System > Activation, and click "Change product key." Enter the key you used previously to upgrade to Windows 11 Pro.
   

If you are still having issues after trying these steps, please let me know. I'll be happy to help.

 

Windows 11 pro activation issue Error Code 0xC004C008

Hi

Welcome to Microsoft community.

The error code 0xC004C008 in Windows 11 Pro typically indicates that the product key you're using has exceeded its usage limit. This can happen if the key is meant for a limited number of activations and has been used more times than allowed. Here are some steps you can take to resolve this issue:

1. Confirm Your Product Key: First, ensure that the product key you are using is correct and meant for Windows 11 Pro. If you have multiple keys, it's easy to mix them up. Double-check the key and try entering it again.
   
2. Contact Microsoft Support: Since the error suggests that your key has exceeded its activation limit, the best course of action is to contact Microsoft Support directly. They can provide specific details about the usage limit of your key and help you with activation.
   
3. Purchase a New Key: If Microsoft confirms that your key has indeed exceeded its activation limit and cannot be reset, you will need to purchase a new Windows 11 Pro license.
   
4. Troubleshooting Steps:
   
   • Run Activation Troubleshooter: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Activation and then click on Troubleshoot. You've mentioned it shows an error (0x80070520), which usually indicates a different problem (often related to communication issues with Microsoft servers). Ensure your internet connection is stable and try running the troubleshooter again.
     
   • Check for Updates: Sometimes, pending updates can interfere with the activation process. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and check for any pending updates. Install them and try activating again.
     
   • SFC and DISM Scan: Run the System File Checker (SFC) and Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tools to repair Windows images and correct any issues that might be affecting activation.
     
     • Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
       
     • Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
       
     • After it completes, type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth and press Enter.
       
5. Consider Hardware Changes: If you've made significant hardware changes to your PC, Windows might consider it a new device, which can affect activation. The Activation Troubleshooter mentioned above can sometimes help with this, particularly if you're signed in with a Microsoft account that has a digital license linked to it.
   
6. Reinstall Windows 10 Pro and Upgrade: If all else fails and you previously had Windows 10 Pro activated on the same hardware, consider reinstalling Windows 10 Pro and using the free upgrade path to Windows 11 Pro, if available. This might circumvent the issue by validating your hardware through the previous activation.
   

Using a genuine and appropriately licensed version of Windows is crucial for receiving support and updates. If you continue to experience issues, purchasing a new license or contacting Microsoft Support are your best options.

Let me know if you need further assistance.

Best regards

Derrick Qian | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

 

Lost windows 11 pro ?

Yes, you can upgrade from Windows 11 Home to Windows 11 Pro on your new computer. Since you already have a Windows 10 Pro key that was previously activated on your old computer, you can use that key to upgrade your current Windows 11 Home to Windows 11 Pro.

To do this, follow these steps:

1. Click on the Start button and select Settings (the gear icon).
   
2. In the Settings window, select System.
   
3. In the System menu, choose the "Activation" option.
   
4. Click on the "Change product key" option.
   
5. Enter the Windows 10 Pro product key that you previously purchased and activated.
   

After entering the product key, your system should initiate the upgrade process to Windows 11 Pro. This upgrade process should not require a complete reinstallation of the operating system, and your data should remain intact on your SSD.

It's always a good practice to back up your important data before performing any major system changes, just to ensure that your data is safe in case of any unforeseen issues during the upgrade process. This way, even if there are any complications during the upgrade, you can restore your data from the backup.

Once the upgrade is complete, your Windows 11 Home should be upgraded to Windows 11 Pro, with all your data and applications preserved. You can verify the successful upgrade by checking the system settings or the activation status in the Windows settings.