Windows: error code 0xc004c003 - what to do?

If Windows could not be successfully activated, the error code 0xc004c003 appears in many cases. We will tell you how to fix it in this practical tip.

Windows error 0xc004c003 - re-enter product key

You will receive error code 0xc004c003 if Windows could not be activated correctly. In the simplest case, you accidentally entered the wrong activation key. First of all, you should therefore try again to activate Windows with the correct key:

1. Open the control panel. In Windows 8, click "Settings" in the Charms bar and then "Control Panel". If you are using Windows 10, right-click on the start button and select "Control Panel". Then open the "System" item. If you have activated the category view, you must first switch to the "System & Security" area.
2. In the Windows Activation area, click Activate Windows. Now enter your activation key in the new window. You may have to select "Enter Product Key" beforehand.

Fix error 0xc004c003 with phone activation

If this does not fix the error, you can try to activate Windows using the phone activation. Note, however, that this option may no longer be available in all versions of Windows. In this case, you should contact Microsoft support directly.

1. On the Windows start screen, type "cmd" to open the command prompt.
2. Now enter "SLUI 4" (without quotation marks). The dialog for activating Windows by phone opens.
3. Select your country, then click on "Next". Now call one of the phone numbers shown. An automatic system will then ask you for the installation ID, which you can read from your screen. Enter the ID on your phone. Then click on "Enter confirmation ID".
4. The automatic telephone system gives you a confirmation ID, which you enter in the appropriate fields. Then click on "Activate Windows".

Windows 10 - Fix Error 0xc004c003 with the Activation Troubleshooter

Error 0xc004c003 can also occur when upgrading to Windows 10 if the activation servers are overloaded during the process. Typically, activation should take place automatically in the background after you wait a while. Otherwise, you can also use the Activation Troubleshooter. You need to use version 1607 or higher of Windows 10 and be logged in as an administrator.

1. Click on the start button and select the settings (gear).
2. Open "Update and Security". Then switch to the "Activation" area.
3. Select the "Troubleshoot" option. After analyzing the error, it should be corrected automatically. If not, follow the on-screen instructions.

Error 0xc004f061 can also cause problems when upgrading from Windows 7 to Windows 8. We will show you how to fix it in another practical tip.