Windows activation "stuck"

[x]

Hi,

I have a legit licence and my Windows 10 Home activation somehow got "expired" with either a windows update last week or the Radeon Adrenalin software. I updated both at the same time and after everything update and all the resets were done, windows wasn't activated anymore. I've had it activated ever since I got the computer about 4 years ago (I don't have a UEFI as I don't like to use UEFI but bought an OEM licence).
After a lot of tries and googling, the best way to resolve appears to be removing the windows key and re-installing the serial. However, I can't remove the serial at all. slmgr doesn't work in "non-core" versions of windows. I even tried activating it with another key that I have "spare" since my laptop came with windows 10 home and a 2 computer licence and it still doesn't work as every time I get an error. If I try to use slmgr to remove the licence, the computer sends another error and tells me slmgr can't be used on non core systems and that I should use slui. And I can't change the key, add another or remove the old one or reactivate the old key.
Any ideas before I format the computer?

Thanks

[Angry Gandalf]

Since you own an actual key, how about KMS?

[DonMcK]

Try activating by phone

[Phénomènes Mystiques]

Tell me what this command line says in PowerShell (Admin) - it is to see the Windows Expiration:

slmgr.vbs /xpr

The offline Windows Product Key Activation is this:

slmgr.vbs /atp


You should be able to access/use these commands.

FYI, stay away from OEM Windows keys if you plan on upgrading the motherboard (those OEM keys attach to the MB) - if not planning a MB upgrade, then simply disregard.

[x]

Diposting pertama kali oleh WinterSolstice:

Tell me what this command line says in PowerShell (Admin) - it is to see the Windows Expiration:

slmgr.vbs /xpr

The offline Windows Product Key Activation is this:

slmgr.vbs /atp


You should be able to access/use these commands. :yetuhappy:

FYI, stay away from OEM Windows keys if you plan on upgrading the motherboard (those OEM keys attach to the MB) - if not planning a MB upgrade, then simply disregard. :csd2smile:

Thanks.

Will do when I get home. I didn't change anything, so IDK what gives, but it's windows.

[Phénomènes Mystiques]

Diposting pertama kali oleh x:

Diposting pertama kali oleh WinterSolstice:

Tell me what this command line says in PowerShell (Admin) - it is to see the Windows Expiration:

slmgr.vbs /xpr

The offline Windows Product Key Activation is this:

slmgr.vbs /atp


You should be able to access/use these commands.

FYI, stay away from OEM Windows keys if you plan on upgrading the motherboard (those OEM keys attach to the MB) - if not planning a MB upgrade, then simply disregard.

Thanks.

Will do when I get home. I didn't change anything, so IDK what gives, but it's windows.

You could also attempt DISM and SFC if the expiration pop-up says "Windows is permanently installed".

[x]

Error 0x2a 0xC0000022
Cannot use slmgr in non core windows

slui.exe 0x2a 0xC0000022 to check the error doesn't work either.

I Think I'll go for a new install

[Phénomènes Mystiques]

I would try DISM and then SFC anyways but to each their own.

If reinstalling Windows does not work (it should), that is a sour pickle and a thinker.

[x]

Diposting pertama kali oleh WinterSolstice:

I would try DISM and then SFC anyways but to each their own. :csdsmile:

If reinstalling Windows does not work (it should), that is a sour pickle and a thinker. :badluck:

Thanks.

[unrealbitch13]

All else fails. recovery and manual search for date prior to the update. or 3x restart gives the bsod/restart option go advance show all restore points if it shows you sorted. repeat until you get a system if its not there then the back up storage file is too small or sys restore is trashed

hope it helps

[Set-115689]

You can check out your windows licence type.

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-determine-if-license-oem-retail-volume-windows-10


It might just start working again. Had a key that wouldn't activate after a reinstall then just started working days later.

Maybe windows servers having issues?

[x]

Diposting pertama kali oleh unrealbitch13:

All else fails. recovery and manual search for date prior to the update. or 3x restart gives the bsod/restart option go advance show all restore points if it shows you sorted. repeat until you get a system if its not there then the back up storage file is too small or sys restore is trashed

hope it helps

I don't have recovery activated. I never have anything on the computer as I use a cloud server to backup everything on the fly. I honestly prefer to re-install windows if needed. I don't use UEFI either as I like to have dual boot systems and freedom to mess with it. Actually this one only had this one windows. I haven't messed with this computer at all.

I'm just not in the mood to waste a day reinstalling everything. But I won't lose anything either. I've been a week with the activation watermark and it's getting old... :D

Diposting pertama kali oleh Set-115689:

You can check out your windows licence type.

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-determine-if-license-oem-retail-volume-windows-10


It might just start working again. Had a key that wouldn't activate after a reinstall then just started working days later.

Maybe windows servers having issues?

Sadly, windows isn't letting slmgr work (tells me "can't be used on non core systems"). That is why I'm a bit lost. I can't even deactivate windows

[Bad 💀 Motha]

You can freely activate Win10/11 or Office through the CMD

[Phénomènes Mystiques]

Diposting pertama kali oleh Bad 💀 Motha:

You can freely activate Win10/11 or Office through the CMD

The issue is strange and the last two Windows Updates are broken:

https://www.windowslatest.com/2024/11/03/microsoft-confirms-issues-in-windows-10-kb5045594-kb5044273-mandatory-update/

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Just remove them.