Activate Windows Watermark after activating before?

Hello. Just today, after browsing the internet, I noticed a watermark on the bottom right of my screen in grey, "Activate Windows Go to Settings to activate Windows."

I read up on this and it seems like people have gotten this before, but I am confused as to why I have received this watermark.

I bought my desktop from Amazon and have had it since early 2016 with no problems other than a bluescreen every now and again.

From what I remember, I already activated my Windows 10 PC, as it came with Windows 10, so I have no idea why I have this watermark on my screen. I also cannot enter a product key that is ON MY PC box, as I entered it already when I got the PC and it says there was an error. I even have my desktop background changed ALREADY, showing my activation.

It also says "We can't activate Windows on this device right now. You can try activating again later or go to the Store to buy genuine Windows. Error code: 0xC004F012" on the Activation tab of Settings.

I really am confused as to how this even would happen, and am glad to take any help. Thanks.

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Windows 10 came preinstalled on my computer, how do I find the product key?

Press Windows key + X

Click Command Prompt (admin)

Enter the following command:

wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey

Hit Enter

The product key will be revealed, copy the product key then enter it

Click Start > Settings > Update & security > Activation > Change the product key then enter the new product key then click Next to Activate

If you are unable to activate Windows 10 after all the above and you are certain you have the correct edition installed, then please attempt phone activation:

Activate Your Windows 10 License via Microsoft Chat Support

Best,
Andre
Windows Insider MVP
MVP-Windows and Devices for IT
twitter/adacosta
groovypost.com

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Thanks for the quick reply, unfortunately, though, I got another error after attempting this with the Command Prompt.

I got

Node - DESKTOP-BMCGM63

ERROR:

Description = The service did not respond to the start or control request in a timely fashion.

I'll try the phone activation, I suppose.

One thing to note though, is that I DO know the key I used when I activated it the first time, as It's on my tower, but It simply won't work to remove the watermark.

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Which edition of Windows 10 is installed?

Which version of Windows is listed on the sticker?

Best,
Andre
Windows Insider MVP
MVP-Windows and Devices for IT
twitter/adacosta
groovypost.com

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Copy the VBS script below into NOTEPAD and then save as ProductKey.vbs...Then double-click the ProductKey.vbs and it will report to you your Product Key....This works for me...

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Set WshShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
MsgBox ConvertToKey(WshShell.RegRead("HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\DigitalProductId"))

Function ConvertToKey(Key)
Const KeyOffset = 52
i = 28
Chars = "BCDFGHJKMPQRTVWXY2346789"
Do
Cur = 0
x = 14
Do
Cur = Cur * 256
Cur = Key(x + KeyOffset) + Cur
Key(x + KeyOffset) = (Cur \ 24) And 255
Cur = Cur Mod 24
x = x -1
Loop While x >= 0
i = i -1
KeyOutput = Mid(Chars, Cur + 1, 1) & KeyOutput
If (((29 - i) Mod 6) = 0) And (i <> -1) Then
i = i -1
KeyOutput = "-" & KeyOutput
End If
Loop While i >= 0
ConvertToKey = KeyOutput
End Function

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I have exactly the same problem, it started this week on a device with Windows 10 installed from new.

Support tried to run the Product key finder script, but the product key it generates does not work either.

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Hi,

For your Windows 10 activation, we recommend contacting our Microsoft Answer Desk to have further assistance.

Regards.

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Last updated January 2, 2022 Views 21,396 Applies to: