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    Windows 10 Activation Error 0xC004C003 on Clean Install (Proper Clean Install)

    Discussion in '2015+ Alienware 13 / 15 / 17' started by DeeX, Aug 13, 2015.

  1. DeeX

    DeeX THz

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    To everyone doing a clean Windows 10 install and been getting an Error Code 0xC004C003 for several days with out activation.

    I have tried several times to activate my Windows 10. I had several systems that I upgraded Windows via Windows update etc. Upgrading I was able to activate with no problems every single time. After I upgraded and activated I did a clean install from a USB created with Media Creation Tool from MS. No matter what I did the clean install wouldn't activate and would give an Error Code 0xC004C003. I made sure that my Windows 10 upgrade was activated first. I logged into an MS account once I installed Windows 10 thinking that would help. Nothing worked but I kept trying. Here is what I did that now has since worked on the two systems was getting the Error Code 0xC004C003 for days.

    1. First, I removed all Windows 10 listings from my "Devices" on my Microsoft account. Each computer with Windows 10 gets listed there. They get added back once you login again.

    2. Next I started from scratch. I reinstalled Windows 8.1 clean. Now this time something different I did that I hadnt done before was I logged into my MS account on Windows 8. I historically had been using "local accounts".
    I also made sure the install was activated by going to the "CMD" prompt and typing "slmgr.vbs /ato".

    3. Once started logging into Windows using my MS account and was certain Windows 8 was activated then I started the upgrade process. I used Windows update on one computer and Media Creation Tool on the other computer to do a Windows 10 Upgrade. Again once Windows 10 was installed I made sure it was activated by going to the "CMD" prompt and typing "slmgr.vbs /ato". I also then made sure that I was logging into Windows 10 with my MS account. For giggles I restarted the computer a few times to make sure it synced with the activation servers etc. I even did a few quick updates for the hell of it.
    (You can login to your MS account and now see your computer listed under devices.)

    4. Next is when I finally did a clean install of Windows 10. Again I used a USB from the Media Creation Tool.
    During the install I made sure to login to my MS account. Viola it was automatically activated instantly.


    Thoughts: I have two theories about this. The two things I did different were as follows. Again as I pointed out I historically was using local accounts so while on Windows 8 perhaps logging into Windows 8 via an MS account logs the Hardware and the licensing information on the account. It does not show under devices like Windows 10 installs but it could however be logged behind the scenes. As I type this out I wonder then what that means for Windows 7 users. Perhaps those upgrades are not the ones experiencing the issues. I don't know as I haven't done a Windows 7 to 10 clean install.
    My next different action was using the "slmgr.vbs /ato" command both when I installed Windows 8 and when I did the upgrade to Windows 10. Either way I did this exact process twice (very time consuming lol) and it worked on two computers that I did upgrades and then clean installs before but wouldn't activate even after 12 days.

    I'm sure someone somewhere will find this useful so I knew I had to post it.

    Thanks!
     
    Last edited: Aug 13, 2015
    utumkodur likes this.
  2. utumkodur

    utumkodur Notebook Geek

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    Thank You very much Deex, it worked like a charm. I was dealing with this issue since windows 10 release. I even called MS support but their only advise was doing upgrade from windows 7/8 or they were trying to transfer me to techs and disconnecting the call.
     
  3. DeeX

    DeeX THz

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    Glad I could help at least one person. I was in the same boat. I call MS several times and they kept telling me that the activation servers were overloaded. I knew it must have been more then that. They seemed to be in the dark about the process of activation for Windows 10 clean installs. It was definitely good to finally figure all this out. :)
     
  4. BigCTM

    BigCTM Notebook Geek

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    I ended up doing a clean install by using the reset this pc option within Windows 10. It was easy and my machine is noticeability faster now. No Dell bloatware!

    I did not think a clean install would make that big of a difference but I honestly feel like I have a new computer now. The boot time is super fast now, even with the 1TB drive I am using.

    Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
     
    Last edited: Aug 22, 2015
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  5. lilw

    lilw Notebook Guru

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    I tried eveything. And it was not worked out. My other laptop from Dell work in one tried. But this AW freaking me out, I tried over 10 times and none works so far. I tried Retail and MAK, it not works.
     
  6. DeeX

    DeeX THz

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    Not sure.. I have done exactly what I wrote in my first post and every single one has activated instantly on the final install of Windows 10. I suspect the ones that are having trouble are skipping a step.

    Also just to EVERYONE that doubts the need for clean installs. I have had several machines that were "upgraded" that had bugs and performance issues. I am now 100% that a clean install is a must. "Upgrades" work but if you do not do a clean install you are not experiencing the best possible experience.
     
  7. lilw

    lilw Notebook Guru

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    Ok, so you have Alienware 15. When you reinstall windows 8.1 and activated, did you install any driver? I need to install wifi driver and activate windows 8.1, then I install windows 10 free. The problems here maybe the driver install differently from the system cause windows recognized hardware ID differently?
     
  8. DeeX

    DeeX THz

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    I did not install any driver during the Windows 8.1 reinstall or the first Windows 10 upgrade.

    PreInstall: Made sure the computer in question was not listed as a device on my MS account.
    1. Reinstalled Windows 8.1 (signed into my MS account)
    2. Upgraded to Windows 10 (signed into my MS account)
    3. Did Clean install of Windows 10 from USB. (Deleted and created new partitions. & signed into MS account)
     
  9. Trkkr

    Trkkr Notebook Enthusiast

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    To everyone reading this that this process doesn't work for (didn't work for me). Even if you haven't tried any other methods of activating, if you've clean installed and it's not activating this might be the quickest way to get you going. I'd been trying for weeks to get my clean install to activate. Tried everything under the sun to no avail. Windows 8 with MS account activated with all updates, Windows 10 in-place upgrade with MS account and all updates - activated, clean install Windows 10 with MS account - error. To save yourself a ton of time and frustration follow these instructions:

    1. Go to https://partner.support.services.microsoft.com/en-us/contact/chat/30/ (not sure if that's the totally right link but that's the last URL I was at to get my fix). You'll need to login with your Microsoft Account.
    2. That will take you to an Online Chat with a 'Microsoft Answer Tech'.I did this on Saturday afternoon. I eventually got connected to 'Jagannatha V',
    3. I told him I was unable to activate a Clean install of Windows 10, how I'd done it on 3 other notebook successfully so I know my process works, etc. He asked for my Windows 8 key (mine was integrated into the BIOS so I had to use a program to get it. I used Method 1 from here: https://itsolutionsblog.net/3-ways-to-extract-the-windows-8-product-key/)
    4. After he 'validated it' he asked for PoP. I told him it was preinstalled on my notebook but I could give him PoP of the notebook. Not sure why he needed it but he asked for it and I gave him the Sales Order # of my notebook (MSI purchased through Xotic PC if anyone's interested).
    5. After that he asked for, and I gave him, remote access to my notebook.
    6. He connected in provided me a new Windows 10 key, put it in a Notepad document (which I later saved) and activated it. No fuss, no muss.

    I lost probably 20+ hours of my life trying to get this thing to activate and it took that guy 30 minutes to get me going (maybe an hour all in with the wait time to talk to someone). I don't see any restrictions or 'catches' with this method. I gave the guy truthful answers and it didn't cost me anything other than my time. If this saves even 1 person from the hell I went through to get to this point at least it was worth it. Good Luck!
     
    James D and 0lok like this.
  10. DeeX

    DeeX THz

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    I must do this!
     
  11. Alienware-L_Porras

    Alienware-L_Porras Company Representative

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    Thanks for sharing what worked out for you :Thumbsup:

    I had this one on another platform a while back. Wish I had this to get it done! haha.
     
  12. lilw

    lilw Notebook Guru

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    Ok, funny things happen here.

    When it was not activated, I just need to exchange between the two key MS give to us, and it activated. Or sometimes I just need to use reset options.
     
    Last edited: Sep 11, 2015
  13. Glzmo

    Glzmo Notebook Deity

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    You can also try to simply spam click the activate button in rapid succession, even when it's already greyed out and "trying to activate". That usually does the trick for me after a couple of attempts.
     
  14. Lacho

    Lacho Notebook Enthusiast

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    I just got a new SSD to replace the one that came with the laptop, but after doing a clean install I can't activate Windows.

    These steps apply if I want to do a clean install, but on a different/new SSD?

    Thanks!!!
     
  15. DeeX

    DeeX THz

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    Yes that is correct.
     
  16. Lacho

    Lacho Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thanks!

    Another quick question, what did you use to install Win 8.1?

    I'm using a backup that I created with Alien respawn, will that work? It didn't work, At the very end when booting into Windows it says "Windows cannot complete the installation, please try again."

    :(
     
    Last edited: Oct 7, 2015
  17. Porter

    Porter Notebook Virtuoso

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    I made 3 Alienrespawn backups, USB, hard drive and DVD, and couldn't even figure out how to start the restoral process for a new drive. Ended up reinstalling Win 10 cleanly got it all setup after an entire evening of updating and installing programs and games, then noticed it would not activate :(

    I gave up and put Win 8.1 on it and now that wont activate either, uhg. Dozens of Win 10 installs and drive replacements, never had this issue on any other machine.
     
  18. Lacho

    Lacho Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hello!

    Did you install windows 8.1 using an USB stick created with windows media creation tool?
     
  19. Porter

    Porter Notebook Virtuoso

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    I actually used an "All in one" Win 8.1 DVD I've been using for a while now.

    If I cant get it going quickly, I may try creating an image of the M2 drive and slapping it on the new SSD and see if that works. That stock install was exactly how I wanted it.
     
  20. DeeX

    DeeX THz

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    I have done hundreds of Windows installs over the years and must admit the activation of Windows 10 stumped me. That is why I posted this info. If anyone has problems activating a clean Windows 10 install please PM me and I will help.

    I am a strong advocate for a clean Windows 10 install. It is a must!
     
  21. Porter

    Porter Notebook Virtuoso

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    Thank you for posting this, I may not even mess with my fresh Win 8.1 install anymore and just reinstall Win 10 clean (again) and follow your procedure to the letter.

    I only wish I would have found this last night when I already had it all setup with Win 10. I googled my issues and found tons of people saying they called MS and were told they had to do an upgrade which is why I went back to Win 8.1.
     
  22. DeeX

    DeeX THz

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    I called MS literally a dozen times and got several different reasons why it wouldn't activate. MS agents are not trained properly on this process. Once I discovered the method in my OP every single clean install of Windows 10 activated properly.

    Also FYI just today I ran into two systems that I resolved bugs in Windows 10 by doing a clean install. Gamers especially should never do an "upgrade" of Windows 10. The process of "upgrading" is far from perfect and screws things up.
     
  23. Lacho

    Lacho Notebook Enthusiast

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    I have successfully activated Win 10 on my new SSD using DeeX method, thank you!!!
     
  24. Porter

    Porter Notebook Virtuoso

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    It worked for me too, like you said there must be something going on with the way activations are handled when linked to your MS account. BTW that was the first time I ever logged into my MS account, didn't even realize my hotmail account was a MS account.

    I have switched back to local account only, removed my MS account completely, and the system is still fully activated.

    Thanks!
     
  25. DeeX

    DeeX THz

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    Glad it worked!

    Same here.. for years I have been making "local accounts" in Windows 8. I use Gmail for email so didn't really have the need for the MS account integration.
     
  26. lilw

    lilw Notebook Guru

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    Today I reinstalled windows 10 pro, and it activated immediately. I guess there is overload with MS server during the past month.