Windows 10 activation running out on Surface Pro 2017

Get help with Windows 10 Activation:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-in/help/10738/...
https://support.microsoft.com/en-in/help/12440/...
To better diagnose the issue,
Right click Start>Command Prompt-Admin and type in the following command:
slmgr.vbs /dlv

You will get a window, take a screenshot using snipping tool and paste it it next reply.
How to get a screenshot and post back:
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wik...

Make sure to insert the Image, not paste it like did in your original post.

Please let us know if you need any assistance in posting.

Hi Keir,

From the screenshot you are running Windows 10 Pro, which needs to ba activated by an organisations volume licensing service . . .

It is likely that the Windows 10 licence you are running is a volume licence version and is meant to run in a Company or organisation where the activation is re-armed on a regular basis . . .

Do you know the history of your PC or version of Windows?

If your PC is second hand or Windows was reinstalled by a computer shop, it is likely that version of Windows came from a company environment or it is a cracked version of Windows

Somehow you have the wrong type of licence requiring connection to a company/business server. Did you always have Windows 10 Pro or was it purchased with Windows 10 Home.

You can try to recover the manufacturers licence key from the bios. Open a PowerShell (Admin) and type or copy

wmic path SoftwareLicensingService get OA3xOriginalProductKey and press return. This will display the OEM key and you can input the into Activation and select Change product key.

If this doesn't work you may have to clean install Windows 10.

Thanks :)

Hi Keir. I'm Greg, an installation specialist and 9 year Windows MVP, here to help you.

Did you buy a discount Product Key? The error normally means that someone has activated Windows with a Volume License Key meant only for business or organizations that activate a large number of PC's, which need to check in regularly to reactivate.

Sometimes this is done by shops unnecessarily because the PC either came with a Windows Product Key embedded in the BIOS/UEFI firmware, or it was already activated for free Upgrade and would have reactivated after a reinstall had they given it the chance and not interrupted this by installing the illegal key.

If you know Windows was originally activated legitimately by one of these methods then to fix the problem what I would do is go offline to remove the Volume License key and then restore the Generic Product Key that is used to activate with the Digital License issued by Upgrade or Factory install. Then we'll see if it activates:

1) Go offline by opening Action center at the right end of Task Bar, then clicking on Airplane mode to turn off internet.

2) Next type CMD in Start Search, right click to Run as Administrator, then right click to copy and paste this command in and press Enter: slmgr -upk

3) Restart PC and then insert Generic Product Key for WIndows 10 Pro from here: http://winaero.com/blog/generic-key-to-install-...

This sets everything back to default so that if there is a Digital License issued during a proper Upgrade it should reactivate within a few days. If not we will need to try something else:

What Windows Operating System came on that exact model PC originally - you can google it's make and model to read the specs to find out? If it says Windows 7, 8 or 8.1 Home version then that is a clue you need to reinstall Home instead of Pro to try to activate. We might even be able to still activate it fresh with a Windows 8/8.1 Product Key read from the BIOS or on the Windows 7 COA sticker on the PC, or any of those retail keys.

If nothing else works you may need to reinstall the licensed Windows edition that came with that PC, or buy a copy of Windows 10 Home to activate it. I would buy only from a major retailer who backs their purchases or Microsoft here: http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US...

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.


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Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

Hi Dave,

Thanks for your reply.

I bought it directly from the Microsoft online store. Actually, my first Surface Pro was defective, and this was the replacement they sent me. So the Windows I'm running should be for a home user and fully activated.

Any clues?

Cheers!

Hi Keir, well that certainly sounds like everything should be legit . . .

Click the link below to download a small utility which will find your Windows 10 Product Key

http://neosmart.net/OemKey/

Go to Settings - Update and Security - Activation

Try entering that product key there to activate Windows

Otherwise, have that product key at hand and contact Microsoft Support and ask them to help you re-activate your Windows 10

Choose a local Phone Number:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/13948/...

________________________________________________________
Standard Disclaimer: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.

Hi Greg,

Thanks for your reply.

I bought it directly from the Microsoft online store. Actually, my first Surface Pro was defective, and this was the replacement they sent me. So the Windows I'm running should be for a home user and fully activated, right? If you buy a computer directly from Microsoft, Windows is included....?

Everything looks to be okay except the channel you are on. It should be either Retail or OEM. Dave's suggestion of consulting MS customer service is what I suggest.
You can contact them using Chat too using the link below
https://partner.support.services.microsoft.com/...

Hi Keir -

Yes, but at any time did you take it to a shop or have a friend work on it who might have used a Volume License key they found on the web? This is how this most often happens. The error means someone has used a Volume License key meant only for large organizations and businesses, which must check in with their servers regularly to renew activation. Microsoft would never preinstall this key, unless the PC was built or meant for a business fleet.

What I'd do at this point is confirm the correct licensed version is installed at Settings > Update & Security > Activation under Edition - since this is s reason someone might have installed a VLK to change versions. Then run this keyfinder app to look for the BIOS -OEM key: ProducKey: http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/produkey-x64.zip. Insert that key at the Change Product Key link in Activation Settings.

If that fails try the other steps I gave in the checklist I included. You can also contact MS Customer Service via one of these enduring phone numbers: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/405170...

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

________________________________________________________
Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.