Windows 10 Activation Problems Continue, Microsoft Tells Everyone to Wait

[Karamjit]

“We’re having problems with our activation servers”

Back on July 29 when Microsoft finally pressed the green button and made its new OS available for insiders and upgraders, many experienced Windows 10 activation problems because of the huge number of computers connecting to the servers and trying to validate their installs.

At that time, Microsoft recommended everyone to wait somewhere between 24 and 48 hours, but now that more than one week has passed since these activation issues first occurred, many claim that the problems still persist and there’s no way to repair them.

Instead, most of the users who are having trouble activating their Windows 10 installs reveal that Microsoft still tells them to wait, pointing to the very same server issues as the only cause.

Nothing works

Basically, users who can’t activate Windows 10 explain that they followed the exact method that Microsoft required: they first upgraded to Windows 10 using the built-in upgrade system, the operating system got activated correctly, but after the clean install, activation failed.

“Upgraded win 8.1 to 10 and checked it was activated. Worked OK, some niggling problems, decided to do clean install. Read the guides, double checked was activated. Skipped all the product key prompts. 0xC004C003. Told twice by MS to wait 24-48 hrs. Most recently told (18 hrs ago) that they acknowledge it is a software defect and will fix in 48 hrs by Windows Update,” one user explained on the forums.

Microsoft is yet to offer an updated statement on what exactly is happening with its activation servers, but the company previously explained that because of the huge number of computers connecting to its servers, activation sometimes fails to work correctly.

So no matter if you like it or not, waiting seems to be the only option for now if you don’t want to go through an even more painful process.

We’ve heard from a number of users that going back to Windows 7 or 8.1, activating it, performing the upgrade to Windows 10, activating it, and then performing a clean install of Windows 10 does the trick, but you can’t guarantee this works for everyone, so if you’re willing to try it, you do it at your own risk.

From

[davmil]

I've done 4 upgrades now and this stuff is neither done baking nor for the weak of heart. Each boogered in a unique way but with patience and a little Googling around for similar problems I worked through the issues and didn't have to roll back to Win7. Do not attempt on a 'mission critical' machine. Do create an image backup (or two) first.

Unless you've got a compelling reason, wait a month or 2 while they sort issues out and have a better experience. If you're anxious to get rolling and learn/train, do it on a test platform if at all possible.

[VileTouch]

meanwhile, Microsoft's spokespers...err.. canine states:

[Roy W]

@davmil one attempt behind you but I gave up and will stay with Windows 7 for a bit longer.

To many problems I have gone through

Reserved Windows 10 but at the installation final stage it keeps reverting back to W7

[davmil]

@davmil one attempt behind you but I gave up and will stay with Windows 7 for a bit longer.

To many problems I have gone through

Reserved Windows 10 but at the installation final stage it keeps reverting back to W7

Each of the 4 upgrades failed in a unique way. Haven't seen one rollback yet at the end yet - that'll make 5 ways to break. I will say that in each case & your's the update had the decency to fail gracefully & not hose the data / OS or leave something half baked, barely limping along. Soon after updating then rebooting the machines all went back to M$FT and pulled many more files & updates, but that's to be expected I guess.

[dcs18]

Have downloaded the Windows 10 image — shall be performing a full, clean, offline installation (on a future date.) ^_^

[vitorio]

Have downloaded the Windows 10 image shall be performing a full, clean, offline installation (on a future date.) ^_^

It will be nice to know your experience.

In my case failed to installed Windows 10 in my Windows 8.1 machine.

I am not going to try again until Windows 10 problems are solved.