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Windows 10 OS update issue

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thiisnacc

PCHF Member
Apr 7, 2022
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#1
Hi!

So sometime recently my OS has been giving me issue since I updated (or tried to update) to the Anniversary version of Windows 10. I now have this recurring "Activate Windows Go to Settings to activate Windows." message at the bottom of my screen. I got my Windows 10 OS from college and I've been trying to figure out if it's because I am an alumnus, that it (the license key) expired. I did not know that the license key would expire else I would have bought my own personal Windows 10 code/key. So now I try to even download Office and it gives me issue. I don't know if the issue is related to the OS not working either. The key I put into the pc was valid and I used MS Word, Excel, Access, and Powerpoint for school work and they worked without error.

The Activation page says, "We can't activate Windows on this device because you don't have a valid license or key, select Troubleshoot below. Error code: 0xC004F012"

Any help is appreciated.

1649725983524.png


1649726985768.png
 
#4
Run this cmd within powershell with admin powershell “(Get-WmiObject -query ‘select * from SoftwareLicensingService’).OA3xOriginalProductKey”
Or wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey if using cmd prompt.
Or: Check this program to reveal if there’s a key embedded in the BIOS:
neosmart.net

Windows 10 OEM Product Key Tool

neosmart.net neosmart.net
Or: Download and run this: https://www.microsoft.com/p/showkeyplus/9pkvzcprx9nv to find all keys used on the PC.
If it doesn’t show any key then don’t worry as this is normal if the PC came with Windows 10.
If it shows a key then please let me know - do not post the key.

Also run this to see what is currently installed & post the screenshot:
Right click on start & choose powershell with admin & enter: slmgr.vbs /dlv
This will show a popup showing whether your license is OEM, Retail, or Volume amongst other information.
If this states you have a volume licence then there is a way to return to a legal key if there's one in the BIOS.
If it does, please post back.
 
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#5
Bastet said:
Run this cmd within powershell with admin powershell “(Get-WmiObject -query ‘select * from SoftwareLicensingService’).OA3xOriginalProductKey”
Or wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey if using cmd prompt.
Or: Check this program to reveal if there’s a key embedded in the BIOS:
neosmart.net

Windows 10 OEM Product Key Tool

neosmart.net neosmart.net
Or: Download and run this: https://www.microsoft.com/p/showkeyplus/9pkvzcprx9nv to find all keys used on the PC.
If it doesn’t show any key then don’t worry as this is normal if the PC came with Windows 10.
If it shows a key then please let me know - do not post the key.

Also run this to see what is currently installed & post the screenshot:
Right click on start & choose powershell with admin & enter: slmgr.vbs /dlv
This will show a popup showing whether your license is OEM, Retail, or Volume amongst other information.
If this states you have a volume licence then there is a way to return to a legal key if there's one in the BIOS.
If it does, please post back.
Click to expand...
Hi!
This is what I got back:

1649797767077.png
 
#6
Bastet said:
Run this cmd within powershell with admin powershell “(Get-WmiObject -query ‘select * from SoftwareLicensingService’).OA3xOriginalProductKey”
Or wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey if using cmd prompt.
Or: Check this program to reveal if there’s a key embedded in the BIOS:
neosmart.net

Windows 10 OEM Product Key Tool

neosmart.net neosmart.net
Or: Download and run this: https://www.microsoft.com/p/showkeyplus/9pkvzcprx9nv to find all keys used on the PC.
If it doesn’t show any key then don’t worry as this is normal if the PC came with Windows 10.
If it shows a key then please let me know - do not post the key.

Also run this to see what is currently installed & post the screenshot:
Right click on start & choose powershell with admin & enter: slmgr.vbs /dlv
This will show a popup showing whether your license is OEM, Retail, or Volume amongst other information.
If this states you have a volume licence then there is a way to return to a legal key if there's one in the BIOS.
If it does, please post back.
Click to expand...
Also:

1649799569929.png
 
#7
try the Powershell command, that worked for me.

also, the Installed Key of *****.3V66T is a known cracked key.
it is in a list I have of used, dodgy keys.

do you have the Product Key for the installed version of Windows the PC came with?
should be a Certificate of Authenticity sticker somewhere on the case.

Win10 AE was released mid-2016, any reason you are trying to update to that?
 
#8
Bruce said:
try the Powershell command, that worked for me.

also, the Installed Key of *****.3V66T is a known cracked key.
it is in a list I have of used, dodgy keys.

do you have the Product Key for the installed version of Windows the PC came with?
should be a Certificate of Authenticity sticker somewhere on the case.

Win10 AE was released mid-2016, any reason you are trying to update to that?
Click to expand...
The computer came with Windows 7 already installed. What I did was upgrade to Windows 10 from the school's student tech resources. This is a sort of outdated computer but when I upgraded to Windows 10 it didn't give any upgrade issues before while I was schooling except the firmware (I think) wouldn't have allowed the pc to "wake from sleep" without the need to reboot.. So in essence I don't have the original key. I was only upgrading to anniversary version because that was the most recent available upgrade for my pc for Windows 10 (see pic).
1649803451887.png
 
#9
in that case there will be a CoA sticker on the case for Win7.
you really are going to have to either ring the MS activation line or buy Win10 yourself now you aren't a student or not at the school.

when ringing the MS help line, either the robot, or the human (if the robot can't help) will ask for the current Product Key.
 
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#10
Bruce said:
in that case there will be a CoA sticker on the case for Win7.
you really are going to have to either ring the MS activation line or buy Win10 yourself now you aren't a student or not at the school.

when ringing the MS help line, either the robot, or the human (if the robot can't help) will ask for the current Product Key.
Click to expand...
Thanks I'll try again when they're open
 
#12
Bruce said:
24/7 - always open.
I'm in Australia and the number, 1800 642 008 (***, I still remember it, and haven't rang it in over 4 years!) was always answered by someone in India. :)
Click to expand...
I called the Windows activation call center, pressed some numbers, it asked me about the error code, pressed more numbers, asked about the build version, pressed more numbers then it told me to call back between 8 am and 9pm and that was it.
 
#13
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#15
The Win 10 partial key shown is the generic key, this is shown when a user upgrades to Win 10 or 11 from a previous Win version - I have the generic key shown on my laptop. If the pc shows a digital license connected to your Microsoft account then the license is genuine imo.
If you try entering your Win 7 key what happens?
Did the pc come with Windows 7 Pro or Home?
Did you use an Education key to activate Windows 7/10?
If yes & you’re no longer a student then the key is invalid.
 
#16
Bastet said:
The Win 10 partial key shown is the generic key, this is shown when a user upgrades to Win 10 or 11 from a previous Win version - I have the generic key shown on my laptop. If the pc shows a digital license connected to your Microsoft account then the license is genuine imo.
If you try entering your Win 7 key what happens?
Did the pc come with Windows 7 Pro or Home?
Did you use an Education key to activate Windows 7/10?
If yes & you’re no longer a student then the key is invalid.
Click to expand...
I dont have a key for the windows 7 OS it came pre-installed on the computer as the main OS. I then upgraded from Windows 7 that apparently known as the "OEM" to Windows 10. I used the school's resources (license key) to upgrade to Windows 10. Ok I guess you've answered my question. I think I have to buy my own personal Windows 10 for the Pc.
 
#18
It should as only Windows 8 & above came with the key in the BIOS.
If there’s no key then the Win 7 license may be invalid.
I’m still awaiting the outcome of this:
Right click on start & choose powershell with admin & enter: slmgr.vbs /dlv
Please post a screenshot.
 
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