So you’re trying to activate your Windows 10 PC with your product key but the problem is that your activation process is failing every single time you try.
You get an activation failure message with an error code. And you wonder how you can fix it.
Well, don’t worry because in this guide I’m going to walk you through step by step on how you can exactly fix this issue. Stay tuned!
What is the product key
The product key is like a specific identification key given by the manufacturer during the installation process. And the product key has been required in all versions of Windows ever since Windows 95 was launched.
Without having the product key activated, using your Windows 10 computer is like using the trial version. Because without the product key, you will not have the option to customize your PC the way you want.
Also, you will have an “Activate Windows” watermark on the lower right corner of your screen every time. You will also miss out various features such as changing the wallpaper or lock screen etc. And also, your computer will have a higher chance of getting troubled by a virus.
Use Your Command Prompt To Fix Product Key Activation Error
So to implement this method, firstly you head over to your search box and type in “command prompt” or “cmd”.
After that, you will see your command prompt application appear. All you do now is right click on it and “run as administrator”.
And then, your command prompt application will open up as administrator.
Once it is done you type in the following code…
slmgr -rearm
And after that, simply press enter.
And then restart your computer.
Then, you try the activation process again using your product key and hopefully it will work out.
Use Your Registry Editor
So if the first method didn’t work out for you, then you can try using this method.
This method is by using the registry editor. So to use this method, just follow the above steps.
Firstly, you open up your “Run command”. You can do this by pressing your “Windows key and R” simultaneously.
And then after your Run command opens up. All you do is type in “regedit” and then press “OK”.
And then go to the following folders…
“HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE” to “SOFTWARE” and then to “Microsoft” to “Windows NT” to “CurrentVersion”
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion
And all you do is double click on the “CurrentVersion” folder. There you will see this file called “ProductId” and you right click on it and click on “Modify”.
And after that, in the value data box, you will have to type in your Windows 10 product key. After that, press in “OK”.
Hopefully, then you will have fixed this issue of your Windows 10 computer showing an error code when entering the product key.
Activate your Windows 10 computer for free
If the first two methods do not work out, then this is the last way to fix this error. This is by activating your computer without needing a product key.
You can activate Windows 10 without needing a product key through your command prompt or via the batch file method.
Additional thoughts…
- Try restarting your computer and try the process again
- You can contact your manufacturer’s website and find a solution. You can try contacting the Microsoft Support team.
- The product key of your previous operating system such as the one of your Windows seven or eight won’t work with Windows 10.
- Give your computer some time and eventually try after one or two days again.
Conclusion
These are three different methods which you can use to fix this issue of your Windows 10 issue of your Windows 10 computer showing an error code when the product key is entered.
Personally, I prefer the third method where you simply activate your Windows 10 computer without needing a product key.
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