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. You can try to restore the system files back to an earlier point in time. Take the measures listed below. Make sure that you back up all of your critical files before executing the steps above to address code 0xCC Blocked product key in Windows In this case, there are not many options you should do, but you can still reinstall Windows 8.
You should now attempt a clean instal without errors after you have upgraded to Windows Obey the steps below. Step 4: Make sure that the version of Windows you recently updated is allowed.
Now if you wish to upgrade to Windows 10, uninstall all the upgrades that are available so that you can see the Windows 10 message in the tray. Step 6: Run the tool now and use this PC update option to download Windows 10 and then ask you for a few items without any problems before downloading it. Step 7: You must now have Windows 10 and your copy should be activated without activation errors such as 0xCC once the installation is full. You can now if you like, cleanly update Windows 10 with a USB flash drive.
Skip this time if you have asked for keys when installing Windows 10 Clean. We have several ways to fix errors much of the time, but we actually know only two ways to solve this 0xCC Activation challenge error code. As soon as we find more ways to get rid of it we will update this article. If you have any other ways to fix this mistake, particularly on Windows 10 , feel free to let us know.
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