Learn how to activate Windows using a product key or digital license, check your activation status, and link your Microsoft account.

Product Key < Product key > We can’t activate Windows on this device because you don’t have a valid digital license or product key. If you think you do have a valid license or key, select Troubleshoot below. Error code 0xc004c003.

Last updated: January 2024. The issues listed below reflect the issues caused by the most recent product updates. For more troubleshooting help, see Troubleshoot installing Office below. Office for Windows. [FIXED] Error code: PIN-INAPP-INVALIDPIN-8 when you try to activate your Office 2021 product key.

Activation helps verify that your copy of Windows is genuine and hasn’t been used on more devices than the Microsoft Software License Terms allow. When you get a message that says Windows can't be activated, there are several possible reasons why.

These errors will appear if you try to redeem and activate Office before Windows can activate itself. To fix this problem, make sure your computer is connected to the Internet and check the Windows activation status: On your Windows task bar, in the Type here to search box, type Activation.

Install Office from the Services & subscriptions page. Important: Before you begin, be sure you have your email address and password handy. You'll need to sign in with the Microsoft account that you used to set up Office. Exit all your Office applications.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Common\OEM. Close the Registry Editor and start Office again. If you keep getting prompted to activate Office Standard or Office Professional Plus on a new PC, you can update the registry to stop the prompts.

If you haven't installed Office on another computer yet, follow the instructions in Install Office on your PC or Mac. Follow the steps in Activate by telephone, described above. Uninstall Office from the original computer. Read the Software License Terms to review terms on transferring Office. Open an Office application, such as Word.

Run the Windows 10 Activation Troubleshooter: select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Activation and then select Troubleshoot. Check if you have a paper copy of your Windows 25-character product key you can enter to activate Windows 10.