i can't activate my windows 8.1

hi all,

please help my problem.

why I can't activate Windows even though I entered the product key correctly with the reason this key didn't work, please check it and try again or try a different key.

what should i do?

*Error code: 0xC004C003

*Windows 8.1 Pro. Build 9600

p.s

My windows 8.1 already installed when i bought this laptop

Was it second hand?

https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/help/10738/windows-10-get-help-with-activation-errors

Applies to: Windows 10 Windows 7 Windows 8.1

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Activate Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 - Windows Help - Microsoft Support

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hi all,

please help my problem.

why I can't activate Windows even though I entered the product key correctly with the reason this key didn't work, please check it and try again or try a different key.

what should i do?

*Error code: 0xC004C003

*Windows 8.1 Pro. Build 9600

p.s

My windows 8.1 already installed when i bought this laptop

Was it second hand?

https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/help/10738/windows-10-get-help-with-activation-errors

Applies to: Windows 10 Windows 7 Windows 8.1

0xC004C003

You may see this error because the Windows 10 product key you entered isn’t valid. Product keys are unique—assigned to a specific user to install on a single device. If a key was used (or attempted to be used) on multiple devices, it’s marked as not valid. To activate Windows, you’ll need to provide a different Windows key unique to your device.    If you bought a device from a reseller of Windows 10 and expected the key to be valid, contact the reseller. If your device was purchased with Windows 10 preinstalled and you received this activation error upon turning it on for the first time, contact your device manufacturer.  If your experience with your device is different from those listed above, try the following:  Run the Windows 10 Activation Troubleshooter: Select Start > Settings  > Update & Security  > Activation  and then select Troubleshoot.  Open Activation settings Check to see if you have a paper copy of your Windows 25-character product key you can enter to activate Windows 10.  If your device was recently repaired at an independent repair facility, contact them to see if the repairs require a new Windows 10 license.  If the device is new and has never been activated, contact your device manufacturer.

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Activate Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 - Windows Help - Microsoft Support

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No, it wasn't i mean when i bought the laptop this microsoft was already launched (Win 8) then there was an update to 8.1-win 10. But, i don't like when my laptop upgraded to win 10 so i reinstall back again to 8.1

any ideas? 

should i buy a new key or not?

Here is all the information about Activation.

I suggest that you contact Microsoft.

Retail and OEM Licenses do not expire.

But Volume Licenses have to be re-activated on a regular basis, but Volume Licenses are not for private use..

Run this Command to see what type of license you have; also applies to 8.1:

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/49586-determine-if-windows-license-type-oem-retail-volume.html

Get help with Windows activation errors:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/help/10738/windows-10-get-help-with-activation-errors

Applies to: Windows 10 Windows 7 Windows 8.1

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Activate Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 - Windows Help - Microsoft Support

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With Windows 8/8.1 The Product Key on preinstalled Operating Systems (HP, Acer, etc) is embedded in the BIOS in the Motherboard, so that the lost and/or worn C.O.A. Sticker problem is no more.

When you reinstall it will pick up the Product Key and activate the system automatically.

If it does not or you have activation problems, follow these steps:

"How to Activate Windows 8 and 8.1 by Phone"

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/24636-activate-windows-8-phone.html

Follow these steps and do a Phone Activation and hold on for a real person to assist you.

OPTION TWO

To Activate Windows 8.1 by Phone

"Get help with activation errors"

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/activation-errors

"How to activate a Microsoft product by using Microsoft Product Activation Center"

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950929/en-us

_______________________________________________

If phone activation is not available to you or does not let you contact Micosoft, you will have to use this method to contact MS support 

_______________________________________________

This information may interest you if you do wish to keep a record of it:

"Windows 10 Embedded Product Key Tool"

https://neosmart.net/blog/2014/windows-10-embedded-product-key-tool/

"We’re proud to introduce the immediate release of our newest utility for Windows users: the NeoSmart Technologies Embedded Product Key Tool. Designed for users of Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10, our embedded product key tool will retrieve and display the Windows setup product key embedded in the BIOS or EFI, allowing you to store it for safe-keeping or use it to reinstall Windows with an official Windows setup image."

You can also use:

"Belarc Advisor - Free Personal PC Audit (Version 8.5c)"

http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

Or:

"Product KeyFinder"

https://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/

Cheers.

Here is all the information about Activation.

I suggest that you contact Microsoft.

Retail and OEM Licenses do not expire.

But Volume Licenses have to be re-activated on a regular basis, but Volume Licenses are not for private use..

Run this Command to see what type of license you have; also applies to 8.1:

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/49586-determine-if-windows-license-type-oem-retail-volume.html

Get help with Windows activation errors:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/help/10738/windows-10-get-help-with-activation-errors

Applies to: Windows 10 Windows 7 Windows 8.1

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

Activate Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 - Windows Help - Microsoft Support

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

With Windows 8/8.1 The Product Key on preinstalled Operating Systems (HP, Acer, etc) is embedded in the BIOS in the Motherboard, so that the lost and/or worn C.O.A. Sticker problem is no more.

When you reinstall it will pick up the Product Key and activate the system automatically.

If it does not or you have activation problems, follow these steps:

"How to Activate Windows 8 and 8.1 by Phone"

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/24636-activate-windows-8-phone.html

Follow these steps and do a Phone Activation and hold on for a real person to assist you.

OPTION TWO

To Activate Windows 8.1 by Phone

1. Do step 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 below for what you would like or able to do.

2. Press the Windows + R to open the Rusluisn dialog, type slui.exe 4, press Enter, and go to step 7 below.

3. Open an elevated command prompt, type slui.exe 4, press Enter, and go to step 7 below.

4. Open the Power Users Tasks menu, click/tap on System, and go to step 5A below.

5. Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click/tap on the System icon.

A) Click/tap on Activate Windows at the bottom right corner under Windows activation, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)

6. Open PC settings, click/tap on Activate Windows on the left side. 

Etc.

"Get help with activation errors"

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/activation-errors

"How to activate a Microsoft product by using Microsoft Product Activation Center"

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950929/en-us

_______________________________________________

If phone activation is not available to you or does not let you contact Micosoft, you will have to use this method to contact MS support 

_______________________________________________

This information may interest you if you do wish to keep a record of it:

"Windows 10 Embedded Product Key Tool"

https://neosmart.net/blog/2014/windows-10-embedded-product-key-tool/

"We’re proud to introduce the immediate release of our newest utility for Windows users: the NeoSmart Technologies Embedded Product Key Tool. Designed for users of Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10, our embedded product key tool will retrieve and display the Windows setup product key embedded in the BIOS or EFI, allowing you to store it for safe-keeping or use it to reinstall Windows with an official Windows setup image."

You can also use:

"Belarc Advisor - Free Personal PC Audit (Version 8.5c)"

http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

Or:

"Product KeyFinder"

https://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/

Cheers.

Hai Bill, thank u for other reply but i still can't activate just because my key didn't work for my laptop and i do all ur step checking the windows licenses and mine is retail

I said to contact Microsoft in the second, bolded line in my reply:

Here is all the information about Activation.

I suggest that you contact Microsoft.