Windows 10: Windows 11 home Activation issue

I bought a gaming PC over a year ago from a retailer Currys - MSI MPG Infinite X2Recently the watermark to Activate windows has appeared.I have an OEM key which I got from ShowKeyPlus and another third party Software 'Belarc Advisor' confirms the same key.I thought simple solution is to just re-enter my product key, however when I go into settings and click 'Activate Now' or 'Activation' the settings just freezes. It wont allow me to click anything except the minimize, close in the top right corner.After clicking activate now and leaving for approx 10 mins this error popped upI have tri

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ACTIVATION ISSUE

Hi,

Activation issues with Windows 10 devices are usually caused due to some hardware changes. For us to provide an effective resolution, we would need you to answer the following questions:

• What changes have you made to your devices before this issue occurred?
• Are your computers connected to a domain?
• What troubleshooting steps have you done so far?

In the meantime, we suggest visiting these links. These can be used as a reference on how to activate Windows 10:

• Activation in Windows 10.
• Find your Windows product key.

We are looking forward to your response.

 

Activating Windows 11 after a hardware change

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

Here is a step-by-step guide to help you reactivate your Windows 11:

1. Check Activation Status:
   
   • Open Settings.
     
   • Go to System > Activation.
     
   • Ensure that your Windows is listed as activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account.
     
2. Link Microsoft Account:
   
   • If your Microsoft account is not linked, you need to link it first.
     
   • In Settings, go to Accounts and ensure your Microsoft account is linked to your Windows.
     
3. Run Activation Troubleshooter:
   
   • Go to Settings > System > Activation.
     
   • Click on Troubleshoot.
     
   • The troubleshooter will detect that Windows can't be activated on your device.
     
4. Select Hardware Change Option:
   
   • In the troubleshooter, select I changed hardware on this device recently.
     
5. Sign In to Microsoft Account:
   
   • Enter your Microsoft account credentials.
     
   • From the list of devices linked to your Microsoft account, select the checkbox next to This is the device I’m using right now.
     
   • If you don’t see your device, ensure you are signed in with the correct Microsoft account.
     
6. Activate Windows:
   
   • Click Activate.
     

If you encounter issues where the edition does not match, it is likely because the digital license linked to your account is for Windows 10 Home, and you are now running Windows 11 Home. This mismatch can sometimes cause activation issues.

• Edition Mismatch: If the troubleshooter indicates an edition mismatch, ensure that you are using the same edition of Windows that was originally linked to your digital license. In your case, both should be Home editions, so this should not be an issue.
  
• Correct Microsoft Account: Double-check that you are using the same Microsoft account that was linked to your digital license.
  

Please do let me know if the method I suggested works for you or if you need further assistance.

 

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