Search results
- Activation may fail to work if you have one copy of Windows installed on multiple computers. You can ask the seller to give you the original product key and Windows DVD. If you try the Windows DVD or product key and still cannot activate your computer, or the seller doesn’t have them, you may have to buy a new product key or copy of Windows.
helpdeskgeek.com/windows-10/how-to-fix-windows-10-activation-errors/
People also ask
What if I can't activate Windows 10?
Do I need a product key to activate Windows?
Can a Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 product key activate Windows 10?
How do I activate Windows 10?
Does Windows 10 have a product key?
Why can't I Activate my PC?
Nov 8, 2018 · "We can't activate Windows on this device because you don't have a valid digital license or product key. If you think you do have a valid license or key, select Troubleshoot below. Error code: 0xC004F012"
- Digital License not activating Windows 10 (Solved)
I've recently built a new PC and I'm trying to activate...
- Windows 10 activation problems - not accepting product key
Windows 10 activation problems - not accepting product key....
- Digital License not activating Windows 10 (Solved)
Nov 16, 2019 · I've recently built a new PC and I'm trying to activate Windows 10 on it. I've reinstalled my Windows on several PCs before and it's never been an issue, it's always activated itself. I have a digital license connected to my Microsoft account, and I am logged in on this PC with that account.
Jul 17, 2019 · Windows 10 activation problems - not accepting product key. I bought my laptop with Windows 10 already installed. It worked fine to begin with but, after a few months it started showing the message "Activate Windows".
- Overview
- Missing product key or digital license
- A different product key or version of Windows was used during repair
- One copy of Windows was installed on multiple PCs
- Counterfeit software
- A pre-owned PC
- Hardware changes
Activation helps verify that your copy of Windows is genuine and hasn’t been used on more devices than the Microsoft Software License Terms allow. When you get a message that says Windows can't be activated, there are several possible reasons why.
Select any of the following topics to see some typical reasons for activation difficulty, along with possible ways to get going again.
Windows activation requires either a 25-character Windows product key or a Windows digital license.
Find out which activation method your device uses and where to find it.
If your PC was repaired or rebuilt, it's possible that a different version of Windows was installed. Or, if a different product key was used for your PC during repair, that key might have been used on more PCs than allowed by the Microsoft Software License Terms.
If Windows was activated before your PC was repaired or rebuilt, reinstall your original version of Windows and re-enter the product key included with your PC or original copy of Windows.
If you have one copy of Windows and you installed it on more than one PC, activation might not work. The product key has already been used on more PCs than allowed by the Microsoft Software License Terms.
To activate new additional PCs, you must buy a new product key or copy of Windows for each one.
Activation works with genuine copies of Windows. A counterfeit is a copy that wasn't published and licensed by Microsoft.
The Microsoft How to Tell website can help you determine whether your copy of Windows is genuine or counterfeit. If it is counterfeit, you must buy a new copy of Windows.
If you bought a PC with Windows already installed, it's possible that the seller used the product key on more PCs than allowed by the Microsoft Software License Terms.
Ask the seller 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 your PC, you must buy a new product key or another copy of Windows.
If you made substantial hardware changes to your PC, such as replacing your hard drive or motherboard, Windows might no longer be activated. For Windows 10 and 11, you can add your Microsoft account to help you reactivate Windows after making a hardware change.
Related topics
•Activate Windows
•Get help with Windows activation errors
•Activate Windows 7 or 8.1
•Find your Windows product key
You might see this error if you entered a product key for the Enterprise edition of Windows to activate Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Pro. Try entering a product key that matches the edition of Windows on your device.
Sep 10, 2021 · Understand and Fix Windows 10 Product Key Activation. Things you should know: A Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 product key cannot activate Windows 10. Windows 10 uses its own unique product key.
If you're unable to activate Windows 10, the Activation troubleshooter could help. To use the troubleshooter, select Update & Security. option is available only if your copy of Windows 10 (Version 1607 or later) isn't activated. Once you activate, the option disappears.
