Windows 10 is the most popular operating system in the world, but it is not without its problems. One of the most common is the Windows 10 activation error code , which can appear when you try to activate your copy of Windows 10 after an upgrade , reinstallation , or hardware change . This error code means that Windows 10 cannot verify that your license is genuine and has not been used on more devices than allowed under the Microsoft Software License Terms.
Fortunately, there are several possible solutions to resolve this problem and activate Windows 10 without a hitch. In this article, we will explain the possible causes of Windows 10 activation error code and give you the steps to follow to fix it.
What causes Windows 10 activation error code?
The Windows 10 activation error code can have several origins, depending on your situation:
- You entered a product key that cannot be used to activate Windows 10.
- You reinstalled Windows 10 on a new device or on the same device after formatting the hard drive.
- You have made a major hardware configuration change to your device, such as replacing the hard drive, motherboard, or processor.
- You upgraded to Windows 10 from an earlier version of Windows ( Windows 7, Windows 8.1) and did not activate your copy of Windows before upgrading.
How to fix Windows 10 activation error code?
Depending on the cause of the problem, there are different solutions to fix the Windows 10 activation error code. Here are the most common:
Enter your product key again
If you entered an incorrect or invalid product key, you can try entering it again by following these steps:
- Windows Settings Windows + I keys .
- Click Update & Security , then click Activation .
- Click Change Product Key and enter your valid 25-character product key.
- Click Next and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the activation.
If you don't have a valid product key, you can purchase a new one from the Microsoft Store or from an authorized reseller.
Activate with a digital license
If you made a major hardware configuration change or reinstalled Windows 10 on a new device or the same device after formatting the hard drive, you can try to activate Windows 10 with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account . To do this :
- Windows Settings Windows + I keys .
- Click Accounts , then Your Information .
- Click Sign in with a Microsoft account and enter the credentials of the Microsoft account to which your digital license is linked.
- Windows Settings , then click Update & Security , then Activation .
- Click Troubleshoot and follow the on-screen instructions to reactivate Windows 10.
If you don't have a digital license linked to your Microsoft account, you can get one by purchasing Windows 10 from the Microsoft Store or from an authorized reseller.
Run the Activation Troubleshooter
If you upgraded to Windows 10 from an earlier version of Windows and did not activate your copy of Windows before upgrading, you can try running the Activation Troubleshooter to resolve the issue. issue. To do this :
- Windows Settings Windows + I keys .
- Click Update & Security , then click Activation .
- Click Troubleshoot and follow the on-screen instructions to activate Windows 10.
If the Activation Troubleshooter doesn't work, you can try rolling back to the previous version of Windows and activating it before upgrading to Windows 10 again. To do this:
- Windows Settings Windows + I keys .
- Click Update & Security , then click Recovery .
- Under Roll back to the previous version of Windows , click Get Started and follow the on-screen instructions.
Please note: This option is only available for 10 days after upgrading to Windows 10. After this time, you will need to reinstall the previous version of Windows with installation media.
Summary table of possible solutions
| Cause of problem | Possible solution |
| Incorrect or invalid product key | Re-enter the product key or purchase a new one |
| Major hardware configuration change or reinstallation of Windows 10 | Activate with a digital license linked to the Microsoft account |
| Upgrade to Windows 10 without prior activation | Run Activation Troubleshooter or revert to previous version of Windows |
FAQs
What is Windows 10 activation error code?
Windows activation error code is an error message that appears when Windows 10 cannot verify that your license is genuine and has not been used on more devices than intended in the terms of the Microsoft Software License Agreement. This issue may occur if you changed hardware or reset your locked Windows account without reactivating Windows 10. To resolve this issue, you can try reactivating Windows 10 online or by phone, or contact Microsoft Support to get help. help.
How do I find my Windows 10 product key?
Your Windows 10 product key is a 25-character code used to activate Windows . You can find it:
Your Windows 10 product key is a 25-character code used to activate Windows . You can find it:
- On the product packaging if you purchased a physical copy of Windows 10
- In a confirmation email if you purchased a digital copy of Windows 10
- On a sticker stuck to your device if you purchased a device preinstalled with Windows 10
- In your device's BIOS or UEFI if you purchased a device preinstalled with Windows 10
How do I link my digital license to my Microsoft account?
A digital license is an activation method in Windows 10 that does not require entering a product key. It is automatically generated when you activate Windows 10 for the first time with a valid product key or when you upgrade to Windows 10 for free from an earlier version of Windows . To link your digital license to your Microsoft account, you must:
- Windows Settings Windows + I keys .
- Click on Accounts , then on Your information .
- Click on Sign in with a Microsoft account and enter the credentials of the Microsoft account to which you want to link your digital license.
What to do if none of the proposed solutions work?
If none of the given solutions work to fix Windows 10 activation error code, you can contact Microsoft Technical Support for further assistance. You can reach them by phone, online chat or email. You can also check the official Microsoft website or community forum for other possible solutions.
How to avoid Windows 10 activation error code?
To avoid the Windows 10 activation error code, you must:
- Always use a valid and genuine product key to activate Windows 10
- Always link your digital license to your Microsoft account for easy reactivation in the event of a major hardware configuration change or reinstallation of Windows 10
- Always activate your copy of Windows before upgrading to Windows 10
If you have already installed Windows 10 without activating it, you can Windows ” watermark by following the steps in this article: https://support.microsoft.com/fr-fr/ windows /remove-it- watermark-enable- windows -0a6c4f8c-7d0f-4a9a-9b1e-8f3b1c2f7c1b
Conclusion
The Windows 10 activation error code is a problem that can prevent your copy of Windows 10 from activating and affect its proper functioning. It can have several causes, such as an incorrect or invalid product key, a major hardware configuration change, or an upgrade to Windows 10 without prior activation. Fortunately, there are solutions to fix it, such as re-entering your product key, activating with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account, running the activation troubleshooter, or reverting to the previous version of Windows . If none of these solutions work, you can contact Microsoft Technical Support for further assistance.
We hope this article was helpful to you in resolving the Windows 10 activation error code and enjoying your operating system to the fullest. If you have any questions or comments, please let us know in the section below.
