Windows 10 cannot be activated (error 0xC004F034) - what to do?

If you have updated your existing system to Windows 10, the error 0xC004F034 can appear and Windows cannot be activated. In this article we clarify whether it is your personal license key or the Microsoft server that is to blame.

Error 0xC004F034: Windows 10 cannot be activated

The error 0xC004F034 can occur in Windows 10 after an upgrade from Windows 7 or 8 as well as after a complete reinstallation. In any case, your system is not yet activated and only the 30-day test phase is running.

• If you have upgraded an earlier Windows system, your license key has been automatically converted for Windows 10. In this case, the problem is not yours.
• However, if you completely reinstalled Windows 10 using an ISO file, the old key could not be adapted. The problem: Windows 10 does not recognize your license and spits out the error.
• You can approach both cases in different ways. In the next few paragraphs we will tell you which tricks you can use to activate your new Windows in any case.

Activation problems after upgrade: That helps

If Windows 10 cannot be activated after an upgrade, the fault is not due to your key, but to the Microsoft servers. After the big rush for the new operating system, they are very busy.

1. To activate your copy of Windows, click on the Windows icon at the bottom left and select "Settings".
2. In the "Update and Security" category, click on the "Activation" tab.
3. Here click on the "Activate" button and wait until the process is complete.
4. If an error message appears, simply try again. In the test, it worked after the fifth time. Alternatively, you can wait a few days and start the activation again.

Activate Windows using the command prompt

If this procedure still does not work after a few days, you can activate Windows using the command prompt:

1. Enter the command "cmd" in the Windows search field and right-click on the program of the same name.
2. In the context menu, select the option "Run as administrator".
3. Enter the command "wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey" in the command prompt and confirm with [Enter].
4. Your current Windows key appears, which you have to select and copy with a right click.
5. Now enter the command "slui 3" and paste the key you just copied into the field.
6. If the activation does not work again, enter "slui 4" and follow the instructions on the screen to activate Windows 10 by phone.

Activation error after Clean Install - you can do that

If you have completely reinstalled Windows 10 and have not converted your license, there is currently no way to activate the system. Finally, you still have an old key for Windows 7 or 8.

• If you want to work around the problem, you have to buy a new key for Windows 10. Then enter this under "Settings"> "Update and security"> "Activation".
• If you don't want to pay for the new Windows, you can contact Microsoft Support. Especially if you previously reserved your copy of Windows 10 free of charge, there is a good chance that the staff will convert your key or activate your system.
• A completely new installation is somewhat more complex, but much more promising. To do this, first install your old system on your PC and activate it with your key. Then upgrade to Windows 10 using the Media Creation Tool. In this way your key will be converted correctly.

As soon as Windows 10 is activated, you can set up the system relaxed. We have summarized the most important tips and tricks for the start in a separate article for you.