Windows 10 Activation failed even after 24h wait

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  1. Posts : 5
    Windows 10
       #1

    Windows 10 Activation failed even after 24h wait


    Hello guys, I installed windows 10 3 days ago via usb because I did not get the Upgrade icon. I made clean install on one of my drives and everything is running. A have a lot of software installed, couple of games and so on. The problem is I cannot activate it. I get this error

    - Error code: 0xC004C003 - ERROR DETAILS
    - Error code: 0xC004e016 - When try to enter another cd key

    I don't get anything in the store so I cannot purchase. I tried every product key out there - nothing. I read somewhere that I should wait 24 hours - so I waited 2x24 hours and a bit more. Again nothing happaned.

    My windows 10 is Pro N.

    Please guys.

    Best regards,
    g9m29
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 39,945
    Win 7 32, Win 7 64 Pro, Win 8.1 64 Pro, Win 10 64 Education Edition, Win 11 Pro
       #2

    You need to upgrade the OS through the media creation tool. Using a disk/usb to do the upgrade doesn't register it.

    Windows 10 - Upgrade Installation - Windows 10 Forums
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 4,142
    Windows 3.1 to Windows 11
       #3

    You must reinstall the prior qualifying OS and then UPGRADE to windows 10

    There are three upgrade methods:

    Windows Update - a lot of failures reported
    or
    Windows 10 Create Media Tool > Windows 10
    or
    Windows 10 ISO Download > Tech Bench

    But since you choose to Clean Install windows 10 without a prior windows 10 upgrade activation - the activation fails..

    And will continue to do so, until you upgrade a qualifying windows 7 or 8.1 OS

    You MUST UPGRADE windows 7 or windows 8.1 to get a Windows 10 activation
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 5
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #4

    yep I got it from the Media creation tool to the usb. The problem was as I mentioned when I had windows 8.1 I did not had the icon so I was unable to upgrade to windows 10.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 4,142
    Windows 3.1 to Windows 11
       #5

    g9m29 said:
    yep I got it from the Media creation tool to the usb. The problem was as I mentioned when I had windows 8.1 I did not had the icon so I was unable to upgrade to windows 10.
    You should of ran the Setup.exe from the ISO from within widows..
    Instead you booted media and clean installed windows 10..

    You must reinstall prior OS - no need to do any updates.. Just need to see activation..
    then run setup.exe from windows 10 media
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 39,945
    Win 7 32, Win 7 64 Pro, Win 8.1 64 Pro, Win 10 64 Education Edition, Win 11 Pro
       #6

    Windows 10 - Clean Install - Windows 10 Forums

    Once you’ve upgraded to Windows 10 using the free upgrade offer or Media Creation Tool on an activated Windows 7 or 8.1 PC, you will be able to reinstall, including a clean install, on the same device. You won’t need a product key for re-activations on the same hardware. If you make a meaningful change to your hardware, you may need to contact customer support to help with activation. You’ll also be able to create your own installation media like a USB drive or DVD, and use that to upgrade your device or reinstall after you’ve upgraded.

    You do not get a product key with the free upgrade of Windows 10.

    The activation for the free offer of Windows 10 is registered on the Microsoft activation servers, and is referenced by the hardware (motherboard/CPU/graphics card) of the PC it was upgraded on.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 5
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #7

    I reinstalled to Windows 8.1 with latest updates. Then I waited a bit, connected to the net, downloaded the again from the Media Creation tool but no key, no notification, no nothing. If I read correctly and it depends on the system hardware isn't there a way to download the key which is supposed to be mine, or something like that ???

    Another option, can this be cuz I custom stopped most of the information that microsoft wants from me. But then again - I stopped it today and I am up to date here... No idea, I am again writting from Windows 10 not activated - ;(

    Best regards,
    g9m29
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 14,046
    Windows 11 Pro X64 22H2 22621.1848
       #8

    There is no unique key. ALl Win 10 upgrades use the same generic key.
    Just run setup.exe from the ISO you created via MCT while booted to the 8.1 system.

    Windows 10 - Upgrade Installation - Windows 10 Forums
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 4,453
    Win 11 Pro 22000.708
       #9

    Just to re-iterate:

    With the free upgrade version of Win 10, you must upgrade an installed and activated copy of a qualifying OS (7 SP1, 8.1) for the result to activate. The upgrade version must be one that matches your older OS. (For example, to get 10 Pro, your 8.1 copy would have to be Pro or better. And not Enterprise; it's ineligible for the free upgrade.)

    You won't receive a Win 10 license key.

    Once you have an activated Win 10 upgrade, you can clean install and activate on the same hardware. When asked for a key during that clean install, just hit the skip key.

    Which of these did you not do? (Maybe you did them all; I have the impression that the upgrade process isn't 100% reliable.)
      My Computers


  10. Posts : 5
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #10

    Yep I did not know about that. My previous version of Windows 8.1 was Enteprise. :X But how can I install W10 Enterprice if the Media Creation Tool got me Pro N. I tried it upgrading it - Something Happaned Something Happaned - I had every******* thing in English (US) every fix tried. Then I tried to run in from the setup and errors occured. So, from where can I download Enterprise edition and try it ?

    Best Regards,
    g9m29
      My Computer


 

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