Solved Windows 8 Pro Activation stopped working

Hi All,

I bought windows 8 Pro over 2 years ago and upgraded from Windows 7 on a Dell desktop.

Everything has been working fine until about 2 - 3 weeks ago when I started my computer I got the message to activate Windows 8 Pro, when I clicked on activate it said " Windows cannot activate at this time - please try later"

It now happens every so often when I start the pc I get asked to activate. My lockscreen photo has also changed and when I try to change it back it says" You cannot personalise Windows until you activate it"

I tried to Enter key and the original key which is in my purchase email is not accepted saying " this key did not work, enter another key or purchase licence and activate Windows"

I have tried to download the files listed in the sticky thread above for diagnostics but when I open it I get an error saying " there is no file ext in "c:\users\andrew"

Any help appreciated,

Andrew.

Strange... try this version (it's beta but may help)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwRhMqTH8THlU0JoU1FjNkMwcEE/view?usp=sharing

Thank you Superfly, here is the result screen:



Andrew.

If you have a legit copy contact Microsoft or try phone activation

Andrew, use the save function and post the full diagnostic report.

It appears that you have corrupt system files.... you may have to run sfc / scannow and Dism /restorehealth to fix those.

Thanks you vrosa,
I bought the upgrade online in 2012, I hope it was a legitimate copy, it has worked no problem until recently, here is my email receipt:

Top of Form

Andrew delete your key from your post.

Please run sfc /scannow - that should repair the corrupt files.

Your can't activate as the licencing service is not running due to those files.

Thanks Superfly, deleted key from post, should have thought not to post it.

I tried to run sfc /scannow and a black box appeared for a nano second but I couldn't read what it said it just flashed on and off.

Make sure you are running it in a Command Prompt(Admin) window. (Right-click start button)
Type in sfc /scannow

Ok, scan run, result below:

Ok, restarted pc and my original lockscreen has been restored and it did not ask for activation.

It seems to be fixed.

Thank you so much Superfly for your help.

Is there anything I can do to avoid it happening again, what would have corrupted the files?

Excellent
You're welcome...Various things primarily file permissions cause these problems - Software licencing is very sensitive regarding the various components it uses - it's an anti-piracy measure built into it.

How does the diagnostic look now?

Here is the diagnostics report now and everything looks to be working fine, pc settings shows Windows 8 licensed/activated.

Windows Diagnostic Information


ToolVersion : 6.3.9600.16384
LicensingStatus : SL_LICENSING_STATUS_LICENSED
LicensingStatusReason : 0x00000000
LocalGenuineState : SL_GEN_STATE_IS_GENUINE
LocalGenuineResultP : 1
LastOnlineGenuineResult : 0x00000000
GraceTimeMinutes : 0
TotalGraceDays : 0
ValidityExpiration :
ActivePartialProductKey : 3GJXV
ActiveProductKeyPid2 : 00178-11193-80911-AB676
OSVersion : 6.3.9600.2.00010100.0.0.048
ProductName : Windows 8.1 Pro
ProcessorArchitecture : x64
EditionId : Professional
BuildLab : 9600.winblue_r3.140827-1500
TimeZone : GMT Standard Time(GMT)
ActiveSkuId : 9e473b6d-b591-4c46-9c44-90a865f22e76
ActiveSkuDescription : Windows(R) Operating System, RETAIL channel
ProductUniquenessGroups : 55c92734-d682-4d71-983e-d6ec3f16059f
ActiveProductKeyPKeyId : 13220c76-1844-82a4-ed39-2e178b03f23e
ActiveProductKeyPidEx : 06401-01781-119-380911-01-2057-9600.0000-3102013
ActiveProductKeyChannel : Retail
ActiveVolumeCustomerPid :
OfflineInstallationId : 486242343925410422183104032507304532939076671615286511826772162
DomainJoined : false
ComputerSid : S-1-5-21-2435394601-2968008517-555821706
ProductLCID : 2057
UserLCID : 2057
SystemLCID : 2057
CodeSigning : SIGNED_INFO_PRS_SIGNED
ServiceAvailable : true
OemMarkerVersion : 0x00020001
OemId : DELL
OemTableId : FX09
Manufacturer : Dell Inc.
Model : Inspiron 545
InstallDate : 20131106213636.000000+000
Result : PASS
TamperedItems :
ServerProps : GenuineId=55c92734-d682-4d71-983e-d6ec3f16059f;OemId=;OptionalInfoId=;Pid=JPSzGRcJTUOGOIwWk9mcLXJYBsTESoGe/T0+c+XMBOQ=;SkuId=9e473b6d-b591-4c46-9c44-90a865f22e76;TimeStampServer=2012-11-03T16:13:20Z;


Thanks again.

Yup looks great - you should be OK now.

Thanks again.