All the help you need in one place: step-by-step activation and installation guides.
Install your software, fix an error, compare editions or understand your license: pick a topic.
Not sure what the error is called? Pick what you see or what you want to do, and we will point you to the right place.
Seen a code such as 0xC004F050 or 30015-4? Find it below to learn what it means and what to try first.
Windows does not accept the key you entered, usually because of a typo, a character changed when pasting, or a key that belongs to a different Windows product.
Message us if the code stays after retyping the key. If a license doesn't work, tell us within 24 hours of revealing it and we will replace it right away.
Our guides: How to Upgrade Windows 11 Home to Pro, How to Activate Windows 11, How to Activate Windows 10
The key is invalid or belongs to a different version of Windows than the one installed.
Message us if version and edition match your order and the code stays. If a license doesn't work, tell us within 24 hours of revealing it and we will replace it right away.
Our guides: How to Activate Windows 11, How to Activate Windows 10, License types
The key belongs to a different edition than the one installed, for example a Pro key on a PC running Home.
Message us if you installed the wrong edition or are unsure which one you need.
Our guides: How to Upgrade Windows 11 Home to Pro, License types
Microsoft's servers refuse the key: in Windows, usually because it has already been used on more devices than it allows; in Office, because the key has been blocked.
Message us if always, if the code appears. If a license doesn't work, tell us within 24 hours of revealing it and we will replace it right away (MAK Volume Licenses have 30 days instead of 24 hours).
Our guides: Office says Unlicensed Product or Product Activation Failed: How to Fix It, Warranty
The key has already been used on another device, or on more devices than its license allows.
Message us if you are sure the key was used on one PC only.
Our guides: License types, Warranty
A MAK can be activated only a limited number of times, and this one has reached its limit.
Message us if the count says you still have activations left. MAK Volume Licenses have 30 days instead of 24 hours to use all their activations or tell us about an error.
Our guides: License types, Request a quote, How to Install and Activate Office 2024 Professional Plus LTSC (MAK)
A Windows license is tied to the hardware, so a change such as a new motherboard can stop Windows from matching it.
Message us if you changed the motherboard, disk or processor, or you reinstalled Windows.
Our guides: Warranty, License types
Windows did not find a valid license to activate the device.
Message us if the key is typed correctly and the code stays.
Our guides: How to Activate Windows 11, How to Activate Windows 10
There is no internet connection, a firewall is blocking activation, or the activation server is temporarily unavailable.
Message us if it still fails on a different network.
Our guides: How to Activate Windows 11, How to Activate Windows 10
The date and time on the PC are wrong, or Windows can't reach the activation service.
Message us if the date is right and the code stays.
Our guides: How to Activate Windows 10, How to Activate Windows 11
The activation server or licensing service is temporarily unavailable, or Windows is already processing an activation request.
Message us if it keeps coming back after a few attempts on different occasions.
Our guides: How to Activate Windows 11, How to Activate Windows 10
It is a general failure; Microsoft's page gives no specific cause for it.
Message us if the troubleshooter doesn't solve it.
Our guides: How to Activate Windows 11, Warranty
Microsoft's activation server doesn't accept the Multiple Activation Key (MAK) you entered, so it can't activate this PC with it.
Message us if the code stays with the right key. If a license doesn't work, tell us within 24 hours of revealing it and we will replace it right away (MAK Volume Licenses have 30 days instead of 24 hours).
Our guides: License types
Windows is set up to activate with a company activation server, called KMS, and can't find one on your network. At home or in a small office there is no such server, so Windows shows this code until you enter the product key from your order.
Message us if the code stays after entering your key. If a license doesn't work, tell us within 24 hours of revealing it and we will replace it right away (MAK Volume Licenses have 30 days instead of 24 hours).
Our guides: How to Activate Windows 11, How to Activate Windows 10, License types
There is no product key installed on this computer, so Windows has nothing to activate with.
Message us if Windows doesn't accept the key from your order. If a license doesn't work, tell us within 24 hours of revealing it and we will replace it right away (MAK Volume Licenses have 30 days instead of 24 hours).
Our guides: How to Activate Windows 11, How to Install Windows Server 2019, License types
Microsoft's activation server says the Multiple Activation Key (MAK) you entered isn't valid. Microsoft's first advice is to enter the key again, in case a character was typed wrong.
Message us if the code stays with the key typed correctly. If a license doesn't work, tell us within 24 hours of revealing it and we will replace it right away (MAK Volume Licenses have 30 days instead of 24 hours).
Our guides: License types, How to Install Windows Server 2019
Windows reports that the product key is blocked: Microsoft's activation service no longer accepts it, so retyping the same key won't activate Windows. According to Microsoft, the fix is to install a new product key and activate again.
Message us if always, if the code appears. If a license doesn't work, tell us within 24 hours of revealing it and we will replace it right away (MAK Volume Licenses have 30 days instead of 24 hours).
Our guides: How to Activate Windows 11, How to Install Windows Server 2022 and Activate It with a Product Key, Warranty
Activation needs administrator permissions that the app or the window you used does not have.
Message us if the error began right after a Windows update. Microsoft's fix for that case edits the Windows registry, so please let us help before trying it.
Our guides: Office says Unlicensed Product or Product Activation Failed: How to Fix It
Microsoft lists it for Office activation failing on a PC upgraded to Windows 10 and not fully updated; the page does not name a single root cause.
Message us if it still fails after updating Windows.
Our guides: Office says Unlicensed Product or Product Activation Failed: How to Fix It
Volume editions of Office (Office LTSC 2024, Office LTSC 2021, Office 2019 and Office 2016, Professional Plus or Standard) come with a generic key that looks for a company activation server, called KMS. At home or in a small office there is no such server, so Office shows this code until you enter the product key from your order.
Message us if the code stays after entering your key. If a license doesn't work, tell us within 24 hours of revealing it and we will replace it right away.
Our guides: How to Install and Activate Office 2024 Professional Plus LTSC (MAK), Office Says "Unlicensed Product" or "Product Activation Failed"
The activation data you entered doesn't have the right format. Usually a digit of the Confirmation ID was typed wrong, or the Confirmation ID was made for a different Installation ID.
Message us if a new Confirmation ID isn't accepted either. If a license doesn't work, tell us within 24 hours of revealing it and we will replace it right away.
Our guides: Installation ID Extractor, How to Install and Activate Office 2024 Professional Plus LTSC via CID, How to Install and Activate Office 2021 Professional Plus via CID
Microsoft shows this code on office.com/setup when the key has a typo or belongs to a different product, such as a Windows key or a volume license key. That page is for Office linked to a Microsoft account, like a BIND License.
Message us if the key from your license page still isn't accepted. If a license doesn't work, tell us within 24 hours of revealing it and we will replace it right away (MAK Volume Licenses have 30 days instead of 24 hours).
Our guides: License types, How to Install and Activate Office 2024 Professional Plus LTSC via CID, How to Install and Activate Office 2024 Professional Plus LTSC (MAK)
Microsoft describes it as usually a driver error.
Message us if setup rolls back again.
Our guides: Installing Windows 11: Step-by-Step Instructions
The drive does not have enough free space for setup.
Message us if you have plenty of space and the code stays.
Our guides: Installing Windows 11: Step-by-Step Instructions
An installed app is not compatible with the new Windows and stops setup.
Message us if setup doesn't say which app is the problem.
Our guides: Installing Windows 11: Step-by-Step Instructions
The PC could not connect to the Windows Update servers, or the System Reserved partition is too full.
Message us if you suspect the partition. We will guide you before you touch it.
Our guides: Installing Windows 11: Step-by-Step Instructions
Microsoft says the PC may not meet the minimum requirements for the version you are installing.
Message us if you are not sure whether your PC meets the list.
Our guides: How to Install Windows 11 Without TPM 2.0 and UEFI
A background process or security program interfered with setup.
Message us if it fails again after both steps.
Our guides: Installing Windows 11: Step-by-Step Instructions
Setup reports a missing file; Microsoft's advice is to remove the disks that Windows is not being installed on.
Message us if only one disk is connected and it still fails.
Our guides: Installing Windows 11: Step-by-Step Instructions
Windows Update or a standalone update file (.msu) fails with 0x800F0831 (CBS_E_STORE_CORRUPTION). According to Microsoft, the Windows component store is damaged: a package the update needs is missing, or it isn't fully applied to the registry.
Message us if the update still fails or you don't want to run these commands yourself. If a license doesn't work, tell us within 24 hours of revealing it and we will replace it right away (MAK Volume Licenses have 30 days instead of 24 hours).
Our guides: All How to guides, Warranty
Windows Update fails with 0x80070422. According to Microsoft, this happens when the Windows Update service isn't running or isn't set to start on its own.
Message us if the error comes back after these steps. If a license doesn't work, tell us within 24 hours of revealing it and we will replace it right away (MAK Volume Licenses have 30 days instead of 24 hours).
Our guides: All How to guides, Warranty
Windows Update stops with 0x800F081F or 0x80073712. According to Microsoft, system files that the update needs are missing or damaged, which Microsoft calls component store corruption.
Message us if the update still fails or you don't want to run these commands yourself. If a license doesn't work, tell us within 24 hours of revealing it and we will replace it right away (MAK Volume Licenses have 30 days instead of 24 hours).
Our guides: All How to guides, Warranty
Windows Update stops with 0x80070570. According to Microsoft, Windows can't read the files it needs to install the update. The downloaded update files may be damaged, the component store may be damaged, the disk may have errors, or security software may be getting in the way.
Message us if the update still fails or you don't want to run these commands yourself. If a license doesn't work, tell us within 24 hours of revealing it and we will replace it right away (MAK Volume Licenses have 30 days instead of 24 hours).
Our guides: All How to guides, Warranty
Windows Update stops with 0x80072EE2, 0x80072EFD or 0x80072EFE. According to Microsoft, the PC couldn't connect to the update servers in time because of a network problem, often a firewall or a proxy that blocks them.
Message us if the error comes back after these steps. If a license doesn't work, tell us within 24 hours of revealing it and we will replace it right away (MAK Volume Licenses have 30 days instead of 24 hours).
Our guides: All How to guides, Warranty
Your Windows account lacks the administrator permissions that the install needs.
Message us if you don't have an administrator account on that PC.
Our guides: How to Install and Activate Office 2024 Professional Plus LTSC via CID, How to Uninstall Microsoft Office on Windows, All How to guides
Microsoft ties these codes to a network connection problem or a drive running out of space.
Message us if it fails again with free space and a different network.
Our guides: How to Uninstall Microsoft Office on Windows, All How to guides
An earlier install, update or uninstall of Office was still running when you started this one.
Message us if it fails after a clean uninstall.
Our guides: How to Uninstall Microsoft Office on Windows, All How to guides
Microsoft's page gives no single cause; its fixes target interference from the connection, proxy, firewall or antivirus.
Message us if it fails after a restart and a clean uninstall.
Our guides: How to Uninstall Microsoft Office on Windows, All How to guides
Antivirus software, a firewall, proxy settings or the internet connection can stop the install.
Message us if it still fails on a different network.
Our guides: All How to guides, How to Uninstall Microsoft Office on Windows
Office shows "Something went wrong" with this code while it updates. Microsoft's first fix is to repair Office from Windows.
Message us if the update still fails after the Online Repair. Tell us before you uninstall an Office that is already activated: depending on your license type, reinstalling it may need a new activation.
Our guides: License types, All How to guides
Windows didn't accept the key entered in the activation window. Microsoft gives two causes: the key wasn't valid as entered, or a known issue in Windows Server 2019 interfered with checking the key.
Message us if slmgr /ipk doesn't accept the key either. If a license doesn't work, tell us within 24 hours of revealing it and we will replace it right away (MAK Volume Licenses have 30 days instead of 24 hours).
Our guides: How to Install Windows Server 2019, License types
Your server is running the evaluation version of Windows Server, which installs from the evaluation media. An evaluation doesn't take the product key in Change product key or with slmgr /ipk: first you convert it to the full version with your key, using one DISM command.
Message us if DISM doesn't accept the key from your order. If a license doesn't work, tell us within 24 hours of revealing it and we will replace it right away (MAK Volume Licenses have 30 days instead of 24 hours).
Our guides: How to Install Windows Server 2022 and Activate It with a Product Key, License types
DISM shows Error: 1605 when the product key in the Set-Edition command doesn't match the edition you are converting to, for example a Datacenter key with /Set-Edition:ServerStandard, or a key for another version of Windows Server.
Message us if the error stays with the edition and the key matching. If a license doesn't work, tell us within 24 hours of revealing it and we will replace it right away (MAK Volume Licenses have 30 days instead of 24 hours).
Our guides: How to Install Windows Server 2022 and Activate It with a Product Key, License types
No code matches. Check the digits, or send us a screenshot of the full message on live chat or WhatsApp.
Codes and meanings come from Microsoft's own support pages. We explain them in plain language and tell you what to try first with your license.
Still stuck? Send us a screenshot of the full message and your order number on live chat or WhatsApp: we have 24/7 support. If a license doesn't work, tell us within 24 hours of revealing it and we will replace it right away (MAK Volume Licenses have 30 days instead of 24 hours). Your statutory rights are not affected.
Short answers about delivery, activation, warranty and license types.
Your license is delivered by email: right after your payment is confirmed, we email you a secure link to your license. Click "Get my license" in that email to see it, together with the download and the activation guide when your product has them. The email never contains the key itself.
Check your spam or promotions folder and make sure the address on your order is correct. You can also open your license from the order confirmation page, or from My account in the License Keys tab. If it still doesn't show up, message us on live chat or WhatsApp with your order number: we have 24/7 support.
Only reveal your license when you are ready to activate it. It stays saved until you click, whether that is today or months from now, and the activation period starts when you reveal it, not when you buy: 24 hours, or 30 days for MAK Volume Licenses. Once a license is revealed it can no longer be refunded.
No. On the license page you choose how many to reveal now, and each reveal has its own activation period. The ones you don't reveal stay saved and can still be returned within 30 days of purchase (BIND Licenses excepted). The exception is a key shared by several units: it is revealed whole, and the page tells you before you click.
It means the license you asked for is not in stock at that moment, and our team is assigning it to you. We email you as soon as it is assigned, and the page tells you how long it can take. When the email "Your license is ready" arrives, click "Get my license" in it to see your license.
Open the guide for your product in the How to section of our Help Center: each one explains the steps for that product and license type. Your product page also has a "How to activate" tab and, when available, a Download tab. A RETAIL, CID, BIND or MAK License is activated differently, so follow the guide that matches yours.
Some Office licenses, the CID Licenses and some RETAIL Licenses, finish activating with a Confirmation ID. In the Office activation window you choose the option Microsoft calls "I want to activate the software by telephone": that is only its name, no call is needed and everything is done online. Use our Installation ID Extractor to copy your Installation ID from a screenshot, then follow the activation guide of your product to get your Confirmation ID.
A Windows key only works with its own edition, so open Settings, System, About and compare it with your order. To go from Home to Pro, follow our two-step guide (Home Single Language is not supported).
Yes. We have 24/7 support: reach us on live chat or WhatsApp, or write to us by email. Send us a screenshot of what you see and your order number, and we will guide you step by step.
If a license doesn't work, tell us within 24 hours of revealing it and we will replace it right away. MAK Volume Licenses have 30 days instead of 24 hours. A license activated within that time is covered by our lifetime warranty, and accounts and subscriptions are covered for the full length of your plan. Your statutory rights are not affected.
You can ask for a full refund within 30 days of your purchase, as long as you haven't revealed the license. Once a license is revealed it can no longer be refunded, but if it doesn't work we replace it. BIND Licenses are the exception: they can't be cancelled or refunded, whether or not they have been revealed, unless the law of your country requires it. Your statutory rights are not affected.
Not for RETAIL, CID or MAK Volume Licenses: reinstalling or changing hardware uses up that activation, and our warranty doesn't cover it. An OEM License stays with the first computer you activated it on. A BIND License can be reinstalled or moved to a new device for as long as you keep the Microsoft account you linked it to.
A RETAIL License activates once, online, right inside the app; an OEM License stays with the first computer; a CID License finishes with a Confirmation ID; a BIND License is linked to your Microsoft account; and a MAK Volume License is a volume key for businesses. Every product page shows its type, and our License types page explains each one in detail.
Normally one license activates one device. The 5PC products let one key activate up to 5 PCs, and a MAK Volume License activates one computer per activation you ordered. For some Windows and Office products, buying several units can give you the same key several times, and that key activates as many PCs as units you bought.
An Office 365 account comes as a username and a password, with no key. Sign in within 24 hours of requesting your details, change the password and keep it in a safe place: if you forget it, there is no way to access or recover the account. The email address of the account can't be changed.
Use the "Download invoice" button on your order confirmation page, in your order email or on your license page. Invoices are in US dollars, the currency we always charge in. If you can't find it, message us with your order number.
Yes. On the Request a quote page you build a formal quote in a few clicks and get the document right away, valid for 15 days, and you can accept and pay from it by card or cryptocurrency. A quote does not reserve licenses.
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