Error message when you try to activate Windows Vista: "An error has occurred"

When you try to activate Windows Vista, you may receive an error message that is accompanied by an error code and its description.

This article will guide you through step-by-step methods to help you resolve your problem. First, we'll take a look at your symptom, and then, based on your answer, we'll determine which of these methods we should have you try.

These are self-help steps for a beginning to an intermediate computer user.

Several methods require you to browse away from the page that you are now viewing. By browsing away from this page, the content that you are now viewing will no longer be displayed. So, before you continue, you might find it helpful to create a shortcut to this Web page on your desktop so that you can easily return to this page by double-clicking the shortcut. To create a shortcut to this Web page on your desktop, follow these steps:

1. Right-click this page, and then click Create Shortcut.
2. In the Internet Explorer dialog box, click Yes to create a shortcut on your desktop.

When you try to activate Windows Vista, you receive the following error message:You also receive a specific error code and its description.

To know which method you should try to resolve your problem, locate your error code in one of the following lists, and then go to the recommended method for your error code.

If you received the error code in this list, go to method A.


If you received one of the error codes in this list, go to method B.


If you received one of the error codes in this list, go to method C.


If you received the error code in this list, go to method D.


If you received one of the error codes in this list, go to method E.


If you received one of the error codes in this list, go to method F.

If the error code that you received does not appear in any of the lists here, please search the Microsoft Knowledge Base for more information. To search the Microsoft Knowledge Base, please visit the following Microsoft Web site: Then, type the text of the error that you received in the Search Support (KB) field.

Method A: Use Microsoft Knowledge Base article 950756

This method is rated: Moderately easy.

For more information about how to resolve this error message, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

If this method worked, you are finished.

If this method did not work for you, you might want to ask someone for help, or you might want to contact Support (http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/) for your next steps.

Method B: Verify your product key and use the "Change product key" feature to reactivate Windows Vista

This method is rated: Easy.

If you were directed to this method, you entered an incorrect product key. See the product packaging to make sure that you have the correct product key. Then, follow these steps to use the "Change product key" feature and reactivate Windows Vista:

1. Click Start
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   , click Computer, and then click System properties on the toolbar.
2. In the Windows activation section, click the Change product key
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   . If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type your password, or click Continue.
3. In the Product key box, type the product key, and then click Next.
   
   Note Check the product packaging to make sure that you are entering the correct product key.
4. Follow the steps in the Windows Activation Wizard to complete the activation process.

If this method worked, you are finished.

If this method did not work for you, go to method G.

Method C: Use the "Change product key" feature to enter your product key again

This method is rated: Easy.

If you were directed to this method, you have the correct product key, but you have to try entering it again to reactivate Windows Vista. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Click Start
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   , click Computer, and then click System properties on the toolbar.
2. In the Windows activation section, click the Change product key
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   . If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type your password, or click Continue.
3. In the Product key box, type the product key, and then click Next.
   
   Note Use your original product key.
4. Follow the steps in the Windows Activation Wizard to complete the activation process.

For more information about error code 0xC004E003, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: If this method worked, you are finished.

If this method did not work for you, go to method G.

Method D: Verify that the product key is compatible with your version of Windows Vista

This method is rated: Easy.

If you were directed to this method, your product key may not be compatible with your version of Windows Vista. For example, if you have a 32-bit version of Windows Vista, and you purchased a 64-bit upgrade of Windows Vista, the new product key will not work with your current version of Windows Vista. You can only upgrade a 32-bit version of Windows Vista to another 32-bit version of Windows Vista.

To complete this method, follow these steps:

1. Determine whether you have a 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows Vista. To do this, follow these steps:
   1. Click Start
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      , type system in the Start Search box, and then click system in the Programs list.
   2. The operating system appears as follows:
      • For a 64-bit version operating system: 64-bit Operating System appears for the System type under System.
      • For a 32-bit version operating system: 32-bit Operating System appears for the System type under System.
2. See the product packaging to determine which version of Windows Vista the product key is intended for (32-bit or 64-bit).
3. If the versions are different, you will have to obtain the correct version of your upgrade.

For more information about all compatible upgrade options, click the following article numbers to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: If this method worked, you are finished.

If this method did not work for you, you might want to ask someone for help, or you might want to contact Support (http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/) for your next steps.

Method E: Obtain a compatible version of antivirus or DRM software

This method is rated: Moderately easy.

If you were directed to this method, your antivirus software or Digital Rights Management (DRM) software is incompatible with Windows Vista.

To obtain a compatible version, follow these steps:

1. Contact the software manufacturer of the antivirus software or of the DRM software to obtain a version that is compatible with Windows Vista. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
   931699  (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/931699/ ) Error message when you use Windows Vista: "An unauthorized change was made to your license"
2. Follow the steps in method B to reactivate Windows Vista.

If this method worked, you are finished.

If this method did not work for you, you might want to ask someone for help, or you might want to contact Support (http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/) for your next steps.

Method F: Verify that your Internet connection is working

This method is rated: Moderately easy.

To complete this method, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, and then click Help and Support.
2. In the Search Help box or in the Search online Help box, type Troubleshoot network and Internet connection problems, and then click Search Help.
3. In the list of topics, click Troubleshoot network and Internet connection problems.
4. Click the link that best describes the problem that you are experiencing.
5. Follow the suggestions to troubleshoot the problem that you are experiencing.
6. When you are finished, follow the steps in method B to reactivate Windows Vista.

If this method worked, you are finished.

If this method did not work for you, go to method G.

Method G: Activate Windows Vista by using the automated telephone system

This method is rated: Easy.

To complete this method, follow these steps:

1. Click Start
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   , and then click Computer.
2. Click System properties on the toolbar, and then click Click here to activate Windows now in the Windows activation section.
   
   
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   If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type your password, or click Continue.
3. Click Show me other ways to Activate.
4. Click Use the automated phone system, and then follow the instructions that are provided.

If this method worked, you are finished.

If this method did not work for you, you might want to ask someone for help, or you might want to contact Support (http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/) for your next steps.

For more information about reduced functionality mode, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: For more information about the "activation period has expired" error message, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: For more information about additional errors that you may receive when you try to activate Windows Vista, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

For help with common system maintenance tasks in Windows Vista, visit the following Microsoft Web page: