We have a troubleshooter that can help with certain activation errors you might get:. If you entered a Volume License product key Note For these errors, you will need a valid non-Volume License product key for Windows 8, 8. Before trying the troubleshooter, make sure activatiion are on the most current version of Windows From Start, select Settingsthen choose Systemand then press About.
You should see Version listed. If you had one of the Volume License key errors, you will be asked for a new key after the troubleshooter runs. If you have trouble running the troubleshooter, please reply below. If entrrprise have another Activation issue, please post in the Download, Install and Activation folder of the Windows 10 support forum.
Starting with Windows 8 and continuing with Windows 8. This allows the PC to activate automatically when you first boot up the PC and to re-activate if the PC is ever reset windkws needs a clean install. The product key in the motherboard is edition-specific and will only activate that edition of Windows Home, Pro, etc.
When the motherboard is replaced under warranty, Windows will detect a hardware change and look for the new product key that was included in the replaced motherboard. Sometimes feee new product key is not retrieved by Windows, and you enterprrise Activation Error 0xF The troubleshooter will ask Windows to re- try retrieving the product key from the new motherboard and activated it.
The troubleshooter also corrects a acfivation, less common issue. This troubleshooter will identify the GVL Key and replace it with a regular retail default key. Was this article helpful? Yes No. Sorry this didn't windows 10 enterprise activation error code 0xc004f074 free. Was this comment enterprsie Windows is asking me to activate it after I had the motherboard replaced the original MB failed and updated Windows after many years of not using the computer.
I purchased the computer with Windows on it already OEM. What happens to my product license when the motherboard fails and I need to replace it?
It's completely not usable. Also, I believe Windows was running fine for several days after the motherboard replacement but before I updated Windows after not updating it for years. My Windows license should be linked acctivation my Microsoft account, but the activation tool lists this computer under windowws devices were registered with a version of Windows 10 that does not support this feature".
I don't know what that means. Windows was running windows 10 enterprise activation error code 0xc004f074 free before the motherboard failed. Threats include any threat of suicide, violence, or harm to another. Any content of an adult theme windows 10 enterprise activation error code 0xc004f074 free inappropriate to a community web site.
Any image, link, or discussion of nudity. Any behavior that is insulting, rude, vulgar, desecrating, or showing disrespect. Any behavior that activatoin to windows 10 enterprise activation error code 0xc004f074 free End user license agreements, including providing product keys or links to pirated errorr.
Unsolicited bulk mail or bulk advertising. Any link to or advocacy of virus, spyware, malware, or phishing sites. Any other inappropriate content or behavior as defined by the Terms of Use or Code of Conduct. Any image, link, or discussion related to child pornography, child nudity, or other child abuse or exploitation.
Details required : characters remaining Cancel Submit. The product enterpride is now integrated in the UEFI so you won't find ir printed on your enterpfise. But you don't need it either as Windows automatically activates once installed. Choose where you want to search below Search Search the Community.
Search the community and support articles Windows Windows efror Search Community member. Hamer Moderator. Correcting the mistake of entering a Global Volume License key The troubleshooter also corrects a second, less common issue.
Thanks for your feedback. How satisfied are you with this article? Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site. Previous Next. Report abuse. Details required :. Cancel Submit. How satisfied are you with this comment? In reply to cxge's post on December 31, Can someone please help? Activation errors after motherboard replacement Starting with Windows 8 and continuing with Windows 8.
In reply to litterpicker's post on June 7, In reply to F-Red's post on June 7, This site in other languages x.
This article will help you troubleshoot and fix common activation errors in Windows. For help finding your product key, see Find your Windows product key. See Activate Windows for general info about activation, including how to choose your activation method.
See Reactivating Windows after a hardware change for more info about reactivating Windows 11 after making a significant change to your device's hardware. See Activate Windows 7 or Windows 8.
Confirm that your device is up to date and running Windows In the search box on the taskbar, type winver, and then select Winver from the list of results. You'll see the version and build of Windows. Not running Windows 11? Learn how to update your device at update Windows. Use the Activation troubleshooter to resolve simple errors. For more info, see Try the Activation troubleshooter below.
If you're still getting an error, check the list of error codes below and follow the suggested steps to resolve it. Make sure the error hasn't changed.
Sometimes when you run the Activation troubleshooter or try to activate, the error code and message will change. If the error code has changed, look up the new code below and follow the recommended steps.
If you're getting an error code that isn't listed on this page, contact customer support. Not running Windows 11 yet? If you're running Windows 11, the Activation troubleshooter might help reactivate Windows if you recently made a significant hardware change such as replacing the motherboard or reinstalled Windows. You must be an administrator to use this option. For more info, see Using the Activation troubleshooter. The following are some of the most common activation errors with possible solutions for Windows This version includes improvements to activation and troubleshooting activation errors.
For more info about how activation works in Windows 11 or Windows 10, see Activate Windows. For more info about how to activate Windows 7 or Windows 8. A Windows license is associated with your device hardware. If Windows was preinstalled on the device and you have made a change such as replacing the motherboard, you'll need a new license. Open Activation settings. Additionally, Microsoft provides an exception path for transferring a Windows License after a hardware change.
Select it to follow this path. For more info, see Reactivating Windows after a hardware change. The product key used on this device didn't work with this edition of Windows. You might need to get in touch with the store or company you bought Windows from, enter a different product key, or go to the Store to buy genuine Windows.
If the troubleshooter detects a valid Windows 11 digital license for an edition not currently installed, it will let you know and show you how to install the correct edition. In addition, Microsoft provides an exception path for transferring a Windows License after a hardware change.
This may occur if you have a volume license client installed. Windows 11 Pro volume license clients are used by large organizations that deploy Windows 11 to hundreds or thousands of computers. In this situation, activation is typically managed by your organization, and you'll need to contact your system administrator for assistance. For more info, see Troubleshooting Windows license expiration issues. Here's how to activate Windows:. If you have a valid product key, select Change product key , and then enter the character product key.
Note: Your product key should be in the confirmation email you received after buying Windows, included with the packaging that came with your device, or on the Certificate of Authenticity COA attached to the back or bottom of your device.
For more info on how to troubleshoot error code 0xF, see Fix Windows activation error 0xF You must use a valid product key to activate Windows. Your product key should be in the confirmation email you received after buying Windows, included with the packaging that came with your device, or on the Certificate of Authenticity COA attached to the back or bottom of your device. Select Change product key , and then enter the character product key. If you've made a major change to your device's hardware, such as a motherboard replacement, run the Windows Activation troubleshooter located on the activation settings page.
Note that you might be asked to go through the reactivation process. You entered a product key that can't be used to activate Windows. Enter a different product key or buy a new product key. You upgraded to Windows 11, but the activation servers were busy. If you upgraded from an activated copy of Windows 7 or Windows 8. If you continue to have problems with activation, contact customer support. You upgraded to Windows 11 using the free upgrade offer, but Windows 11 isn't activated after a reinstall.
Your copy of Windows 11 should automatically be activated as long as you didn't make any significant hardware changes to your device such as replacing the motherboard. Product keys are unique—assigned to a specific user to install on a single device. If you bought a device from a reseller of Windows 11 and expected the key to be valid, contact the reseller. If your device was purchased with Windows 11 preinstalled and you received this activation error upon turning it on for the first time, contact your device manufacturer.
Check to see if you have a paper copy of your Windows character product key you can enter to activate Windows If your device was recently repaired at an independent repair facility, contact them to see if the repairs require a new Windows 11 license. You might see this error if you entered an invalid product key or a product key for a different version of Windows. Enter a valid product key that matches the version and edition of Windows 11 installed on your device.
If Windows is installed on a device that connects to a Key Management Service KMS server, contact your organization's support person for more info about how to activate Windows. You might see this error if you entered a product key for a different edition of Windows than the edition installed on your device. You might also see this error if you previously upgraded to Windows 11, but the current edition of Windows installed on your device doesn't match the edition of your digital license.
You can either enter a valid product key that matches the edition of Windows installed on your device or reinstall the edition of Windows 11 that matches your digital license. If your device is running Windows 11 Version or later , the Activation troubleshooter can help you install the correct edition of Windows on your device. You might see this error if you entered a product key for a different version or edition of Windows.
For example, a product key for the Enterprise edition of Windows 11can't be used to activate Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Core editions. Enter a product key that matches the version and edition of Windows installed on your device or buy a new copy of Windows from the Microsoft Store. You might see this error if you're not connected to the internet or your firewall settings are preventing Windows from completing the activation process online. Make sure that you're connected to the internet and your firewall isn't blocking Windows from activating.
If you're still having problems, try to activate Windows by phone. You might see this error if you try to activate a device that is already in the process of activation. Your device should be activated after the first request is completed. If the activation server is temporarily unavailable, your copy of Windows will automatically be activated when the service comes back online. You might see this error if the product key has already been used on another device, or it's being used on more devices than the Microsoft Software License Terms allow.
To fix the problem, buy a product key for each one of your devices to activate Windows on them. Select Go to Microsoft Store , then follow the instructions to buy Windows If you don't see Go to Microsoft Store on the Activation page, contact your organization's support person.
If you made a substantial hardware changes to your device such as replacing the motherboard and you have a valid product key, try to activate Windows by phone. For more info about reactivating Windows 11 Version or later after a hardware change, see Reactivating Windows after a hardware change. You might see this error if you entered a product key for the Enterprise edition of Windows to activate Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro.
Enter a product key that matches the edition of Windows on your device. This error occurs when a Volume License a license that was bought from Microsoft by an organization to install Windows on multiple devices was used on more devices than the Microsoft Software License Terms allow.
To fix the problem, you might need to use a different product key to activate Windows on your device. Contact your organization's support person for more info. Try entering a product key that matches the edition of Windows on your device. Or, you might see this error if you're trying to activate your work device but aren't connected to your workplace's network. If you're connected to your work network and still see this error, you might need to change the network settings. If your organization doesn't have a support person, you might need to enter your product key again:.
Select Change product key , and then type your character product key. You might be asked for an admin password or to confirm your choice. You might see this error if the date and time for the device is incorrect, or Windows has trouble connecting to the online activation service and can't verify your product key.
Verify date and time in Settings. In the search box on the taskbar, type network troubleshooter , then select Identify and repair network problems from the list of results. If the network troubleshooter didn't find any problems with your network connection, try restarting your device to see if that fixes the problem. You might see this error after installing third-party software that changed system files.
Windows activation needs certain system files to complete activation.