Activation fails Error code: 0xC004C003

Word Man said:

Sorry, my bad typo, should have read: slmgr /upk

Corrected type in prior post.

Don't know what the error code means but here it is:

I have the exact same error. In place upgrade from a factory Windows 8 x64, then a clean install of window 10 home x64. Refused to activate, has been 3 days now. I noticed in my Microsoft account it's showing devices Windows 10 core twice for the same laptop

Jasondean said:

I have the exact same error. In place upgrade from a factory Windows 8 x64, then a clean install of window 10 home x64. Refused to activate, has been 3 days now. I noticed in my Microsoft account it's showing devices Windows 10 core twice for the same laptop

You can't legally upgrade Windows 8 x64. You do need to have Windows 8.1 x64 installed before you do the upgrade.

Windows 10 can only upgrade Windows 7 sp1, and Windows 8.1.

Well, that's what Microsoft mentions everywhere. Are you sure your upgrade was activated?

Okay, I just wanted to be sure of it.

I'm currently typing this on a Toshiba Satellite (an old L40), and everything went fine for me. Although, I did have a little problem activating because the servers were so busy. However, I managed to do it by typing "slmgr /ato" at the command prompt, I had to do it 5 times before it activated my Windows copy.

Although, I have to say, I also didn't use the normal upgrade procedure on my systems. The moment Windows 10 came out, I downloaded the ISO files and then created an USB stick with it. With this stick, I did the upgrade by running setup.exe, and when it was done, and my laptop crashed, which I was afraid of it would, I did a clean install. And from then on, it has been running very nicely. No BSODs anymore, which I had during the past few months with Windows 8.1.

BTW, I didn't do a clean install on all my systems, or those of my friends. But on those where I did it, I did it always like mentioned above, and it worked like a charm.

All of them managed to get activated.

Rudy Mas said:

You can't legally upgrade Windows 8 x64. You do need to have Windows 8.1 x64 installed before you do the upgrade.

Windows 10 can only upgrade Windows 7 sp1, and Windows 8.1.

Well, that's what Microsoft mentions everywhere. Are you sure your upgrade was activated?

That is not true at all. Once again....Windows 8.1 or Windows 7 SP 1 is required ONLY for upgrading via the Windows Update method. Non-SP1 Windows 7 and Windows 8.0 can be upgraded using the Media Creation Tool, "Upgrade this PC now" option (and also from the ISO).

Word Man said:

OK, well it's out of my depth at this point. Short of redoing the clean install and never attempting any product key during or after the install, I would look to more expert members here to give guidance. Sorry I couldn't help more at the moment.

Thank you so much for your help Sir, really appreciate it . Still not having any luck and I see another member is dealing with the same thing so at least I know the problem is legit , we could both be crazy but I like to think the former is true.

fredc said:

Thank you so much for your help Sir, really appreciate it . Still not having any luck and I see another member is dealing with the same thing so at least I know the problem is legit , we could both be crazy but I like to think the former is true.

Oh the problem is still there right ? Mind Resetting your Windows 10. Might just solve the issue.

Or Install windows 8 or 8.1 or 7 again (whatever OS you have Currently). Then Upgrade to windows 10.

Its time Consuming but you can try it if you like.

Windows10users said:

Oh the problem is still there right ? Mind Resetting your Windows 10. Might just solve the issue.

Or Install windows 8 or 8.1 or 7 again (whatever OS you have Currently). Then Upgrade to windows 10.

Its time Consuming but you can try it if you like.

I tried a reset , didn't work unfortunately , i already did a clean install twice and reset it once and it still won't activate . I deleted all my Win 7 stuff since the first Win 10 install said "permanently activated" .

The only way for me to get back 7 is use a system image that i already used to upgrade to 10 for a second time since during a Win 10 refresh something went wrong and it got into a never ending loop and stated no boot record found .

I am currently using the second Win 10 upgrade i did which was from the Windows 7 image . It won't activate

Microsoft has said it could take a few days .