Windows: error 0xc004e003 when activating - what to do?

This practical tip describes how you can proceed if you receive error 0xc004e003 when activating Windows.

Fix error 0xc004e003

This error code occurs when Windows has already been activated and a component in the PC (e.g. processor, memory) has been changed. The error can also appear if the Windows license has been activated too often. In both cases, activation by phone is necessary. We'll show you how to fix this error. The following steps can also be found in our picture gallery.

1. Use the "Windows + R" key combination to open the "Run" dialog.
2. Enter the command "slui 4" to start the telephone activation.
3. Select your country in the activation wizard and confirm with "Next".
4. You will now see the phone number you can use to contact Microsoft.
5. Navigate through the activation wizard over the phone until you are prompted to enter the installation ID. You will find this in the activation window under "Step 2" - divided into 9 blocks.
6. After successfully entering the installation ID on your phone, you will receive the confirmation ID, which you enter in step 3 in the fields A - H.
7. After successful entry, your copy of Windows is successfully activated.

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Start the Windows Activation Assistant.

Choose your country.

You need the installation ID for the telephone activation. You will be assigned the confirmation ID in step 3 by telephone.