Windows 10: Windows not activated after factory reset

I just factory reset my computer, and after finishing, windows did not activate. I have my activation key and tried to activate it in settings and all it says is "The product key you entered didn't work."

:)

 

Windows 10 activation problem after factory reset. Error 0xC004C003





See the windows is activated. And this is the screen which asks the product key. I can only skip this step if I boot from the dvd and select the clean install option.

"slmg /ato" returns Activating Windows core single language edition (a string of numbers and alphabets)
Product activated successfully.

 

Windows 10 activation problem after factory reset. Error 0xC004C003

You have to make sure the Win 8.1 reinstall is reactivated, not just assume because it's a factory reset. See tutorial here: http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials...-8-online.html and use the options and activation means appropriate to your particular version and license. There are command line methods (which NavyLCDR is well versed in) that you can also use to get an exact picture of activation, license type, and exact Win8.1 version that will confirm activation before you proceed to the WIn10 upgrade (and that is confirmed to match your exact Win 8.1 version).

 

Windows is not activated following "reset this pc"

My latest rebuild was done using:

• Reset this PC.
• Don't keep files.

I now see the conflicting output as show in post #16.

Also I have a watermark on my desktop. Is this normal?