Windows Activation - Revision history

Gsmathew at 20:01, 6 April 2026

2026-04-06T20:01:00Z

Mbaney at 18:10, 10 March 2026

2026-03-10T18:10:03Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:10, 10 March 2026
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	#: [[File:Activationtime.png]]		#: [[File:Activationtime.png]]

	'''If you are unable to activate for any reason other than the error in ~~step 4~~, please see the message at the top of this section.''' If you are still unable to activate, and the computer you are attempting to activate is owned by the Institute for Advanced Computer Studies, please contact [[HelpDesk \| UMIACS staff]] with information about your problem. Otherwise, please contact the [https://itsupport.umd.edu/itsupport Division of IT].		'''If you are unable to activate for any reason other than the error covered in the below section, please see the message at the top of this section.''' If you are still unable to activate, and the computer you are attempting to activate is owned by the Institute for Advanced Computer Studies, please contact [[HelpDesk \| UMIACS staff]] with information about your problem. Otherwise, please contact the [https://itsupport.umd.edu/itsupport Division of IT].

	== 0xC004F069 Error ==		== 0xC004F069 Error ==

Mbaney at 18:09, 10 March 2026

2026-03-10T18:09:44Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:09, 10 March 2026
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	#: [[File:Activationtime.png]]		#: [[File:Activationtime.png]]

	'''If you are unable to activate, please see the message at the top of this section.''' If you are still unable to activate, and the computer you are attempting to activate is owned by the Institute for Advanced Computer Studies, please contact [[HelpDesk \| UMIACS staff]] with information about your problem. Otherwise, please contact the [https://itsupport.umd.edu/itsupport Division of IT].		'''If you are unable to activate for any reason other than the error in step 4, please see the message at the top of this section.''' If you are still unable to activate, and the computer you are attempting to activate is owned by the Institute for Advanced Computer Studies, please contact [[HelpDesk \| UMIACS staff]] with information about your problem. Otherwise, please contact the [https://itsupport.umd.edu/itsupport Division of IT].

	== 0xC004F069 Error ==		== 0xC004F069 Error ==

Mbaney: /* 0xC004F069 Error */

2026-03-10T18:07:46Z

0xC004F069 Error

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:07, 10 March 2026
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	#: [[File:Changepk_pro.png]]		#: [[File:Changepk_pro.png]]
	# Wait a few seconds, and Windows should reboot automatically. During the reboot, the Windows components required for the Pro/Enterprise Editions will be added.		# Wait a few seconds, and Windows should reboot automatically. During the reboot, the Windows components required for the Pro/Enterprise Editions will be added.
	# Log back in and attempt the [[#Activation \| main activation steps]] again.		# Log back in and attempt the [[#Activation \| main activation steps]] again to switch from Pro to Enterprise Edition.

Mbaney: /* 0xC004F069 Error */

2026-03-10T18:04:23Z

0xC004F069 Error

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:04, 10 March 2026
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	#: [[File:Changepk_pro.png]]		#: [[File:Changepk_pro.png]]
	# Wait a few seconds, and Windows should reboot automatically. During the reboot, the Windows components required for the Pro/Enterprise Editions will be added.		# Wait a few seconds, and Windows should reboot automatically. During the reboot, the Windows components required for the Pro/Enterprise Editions will be added.
	# Log back in and attempt the main activation steps again.		# Log back in and attempt the [[#Activation \| main activation steps]] again.

Mbaney: /* 0xC004F069 Error */

2026-03-10T18:03:58Z

0xC004F069 Error

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:03, 10 March 2026
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	#: <pre>changepk.exe /productkey W269N-WFGWX-YVC9B-4J6C9-T83GX</pre>		#: <pre>changepk.exe /productkey W269N-WFGWX-YVC9B-4J6C9-T83GX</pre>
	#: [[File:Changepk_pro.png]]		#: [[File:Changepk_pro.png]]
	# Wait a few seconds, and Windows should reboot automatically.		# Wait a few seconds, and Windows should reboot automatically. During the reboot, the Windows components required for the Pro/Enterprise Editions will be added.
	# Log back in and attempt the main activation steps again~~. This should work as going from Pro to Enterprise Edition does not require any additional Windows components to be added~~.		# Log back in and attempt the main activation steps again.

Mbaney at 18:01, 10 March 2026

2026-03-10T18:01:28Z

@@ Line 20: / Line 20: @@
 #: <pre>cscript c:\windows\system32\slmgr.vbs -skms kms.umd.edu:1688&#10;cscript c:\windows\system32\slmgr.vbs -ipk NPPR9-FWDCX-D2C8J-H872K-2YT43&#10;cscript c:\windows\system32\slmgr.vbs -ato</pre>
 #: [[File:CMDScreenShot.png]]
 # After these commands have run, the Key Management Server should have activated your Windows computer for 180 days. You can run: <pre>cscript c:\windows\system32\slmgr.vbs -xpr</pre> to confirm this.
 #: [[File:Activationtime.png]]
 '''If you are unable to activate, please see the message at the top of this section.''' If you are still unable to activate, and the computer you are attempting to activate is owned by the Institute for Advanced Computer Studies, please contact [[HelpDesk | UMIACS staff]] with information about your problem. Otherwise, please contact the [https://itsupport.umd.edu/itsupport Division of IT].

Mbaney at 21:56, 21 January 2026

2026-01-21T21:56:44Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:56, 21 January 2026
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	Windows uses an activation model for each UMD-licensed install, with verification and renewal every 180 days. Activation and renewal is performed via the campus Key Management Server KMS, which is not available from off campus. For on-campus desktops, this is not a problem. However, for laptops or off-campus desktops it poses a complication. As long as the laptop or off-campus desktop is periodically connected the campus wireless or campus VPN, renewal activation should be performed automatically.		Windows uses an activation model for each UMD-licensed install, with verification and renewal every 180 days. Activation and renewal is performed via the campus Key Management Server KMS, which is not available from off campus. For on-campus desktops, this is not a problem. However, for laptops or off-campus desktops it poses a complication. As long as the laptop or off-campus desktop is periodically connected the campus wireless or campus VPN, renewal activation should be performed automatically.

	'''You must ~~only~~ use the below procedure on University owned hardware.'''		'''You must use the below procedure only on University-owned hardware.'''

	Please follow the below steps if you are receiving a message that your license is going to expire soon or that Windows is not activated, or if you need to change the edition of the OS from any non-Enterprise edition to Enterprise.		Please follow the below steps if you are receiving a message that your license is going to expire soon or that Windows is not activated, or if you need to change the edition of the OS from any non-Enterprise edition to Enterprise.

	== Activation ==		== Activation ==
	'''Please note that you need to be connected to ~~either~~ the ''wired campus network'', ''campus WiFi'', or the ''[https://itsupport.umd.edu/itsupport?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0016076 campus VPN]'' to activate.''' The below steps assume you have already established a network connection. Please also note that your time must be correct (i.e. set via the Internet) and set to the US Eastern timezone for this to work. You can try running <code>w32tm /resync</code> on the command line below in step 4 before running the other commands listed in that step to resync your time if the commands fail at first.		'''Please note that you need to be connected to the ''wired campus network'', ''campus WiFi'', or the ''[https://itsupport.umd.edu/itsupport?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0016076 campus VPN]'' to activate.''' The below steps assume you have already established a network connection. Please also note that your time must be correct (i.e. set via the Internet) and set to the US Eastern timezone for this to work. You can try running <code>w32tm /resync</code> on the command line below in step 4 before running the other commands listed in that step to resync your time if the commands fail at first.

	# Click on the Start menu and type "cmd" in the run bar.		# Click on the Start menu and type "cmd" in the run bar.

Mbaney at 21:55, 21 January 2026

2026-01-21T21:55:41Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:55, 21 January 2026
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	#: [[Image:Example.jpg]]		#: [[Image:Example.jpg]]
	# Select "Yes" if you get a prompt to allow the following program to make changes.		# Select "Yes" if you get a prompt to allow the following program to make changes.
			#* If this is a device that UMIACS technical staff installed for you, and you just granted yourself admin privileges with Make Me Admin, you will need to enter your UMD directory ID and passphrase at this point.
	#: [[Image:Uac.jpg]]		#: [[Image:Uac.jpg]]
	# From the Command Prompt, run these commands in order:		# From the Command Prompt, run these commands in order:

Mbaney at 17:15, 13 January 2026

2026-01-13T17:15:15Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:15, 13 January 2026
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	#: [[Image:windows_bar.png]]		#: [[Image:windows_bar.png]]
	# ''Right-Click'' on the cmd button, and select "Run as Administrator" - '''THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!'''		# ''Right-Click'' on the cmd button, and select "Run as Administrator" - '''THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!'''
			#* If this is a device that UMIACS technical staff installed for you, you will need to use [https://itsupport.umd.edu/itsupport?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0015964 Make Me Admin] before attempting to run cmd as an administrator for this to succeed.
	#: [[Image:Example.jpg]]		#: [[Image:Example.jpg]]
	# Select "Yes" if you get a prompt to allow the following program to make changes.		# Select "Yes" if you get a prompt to allow the following program to make changes.

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:01, 6 April 2026
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	# Click on the Start menu and type "cmd" in the run bar.		# Click on the Start menu and type "cmd" in the run bar.
	#: [[Image:windows_bar.png]]		#: [[Image:windows_bar.png\|alt='cmd' typed in the search bar of teh Start Menu]]
	# ''Right-Click'' on the cmd button, and select "Run as Administrator" - '''THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!'''		# ''Right-Click'' on the cmd button, and select "Run as Administrator" - '''THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!'''
	#* If this is a device that UMIACS technical staff installed for you, you will need to use [https://itsupport.umd.edu/itsupport?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0015964 Make Me Admin] before attempting to run cmd as an administrator for this to succeed.		#* If this is a device that UMIACS technical staff installed for you, you will need to use [https://itsupport.umd.edu/itsupport?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0015964 Make Me Admin] before attempting to run cmd as an administrator for this to succeed.
	#: [[Image:Example.jpg]]		#: [[Image:Example.jpg\|alt=Options to 'Run as administrator' and 'Open file location' are popped up when 'cmd' button is right-clicked]]
	# Select "Yes" if you get a prompt to allow the following program to make changes.		# Select "Yes" if you get a prompt to allow the following program to make changes.
	#* If this is a device that UMIACS technical staff installed for you, and you just granted yourself admin privileges with Make Me Admin, you will need to enter your UMD directory ID and passphrase at this point.		#* If this is a device that UMIACS technical staff installed for you, and you just granted yourself admin privileges with Make Me Admin, you will need to enter your UMD directory ID and passphrase at this point.
	#: [[Image:Uac.jpg]]		#: [[Image:Uac.jpg\|alt='No' is selected under the User Account Control window that asks 'Do you want to allow this app from an unknown publisher to make changes to your device']]
	# From the Command Prompt, run these commands in order:		# From the Command Prompt, run these commands in order:
	#: <pre>cscript c:\windows\system32\slmgr.vbs -skms kms.umd.edu:1688 cscript c:\windows\system32\slmgr.vbs -ipk NPPR9-FWDCX-D2C8J-H872K-2YT43 cscript c:\windows\system32\slmgr.vbs -ato</pre>		#: <pre>cscript c:\windows\system32\slmgr.vbs -skms kms.umd.edu:1688 cscript c:\windows\system32\slmgr.vbs -ipk NPPR9-FWDCX-D2C8J-H872K-2YT43 cscript c:\windows\system32\slmgr.vbs -ato</pre>
	#: [[File:CMDScreenShot.png]]		#: [[File:CMDScreenShot.png\|alt=Commands are run in the Administrator: Command Prompt]]
	#:* If you get an error after running the command with <code>-ipk</code> in it, see the below [[#0xC004F069_Error]] section.		#:* If you get an error after running the command with <code>-ipk</code> in it, see the below [[#0xC004F069_Error]] section.
	# After these commands have run, the Key Management Server should have activated your Windows computer for 180 days. You can run: <pre>cscript c:\windows\system32\slmgr.vbs -xpr</pre> to confirm this.		# After these commands have run, the Key Management Server should have activated your Windows computer for 180 days. You can run: <pre>cscript c:\windows\system32\slmgr.vbs -xpr</pre> to confirm this.
	#: [[File:Activationtime.png]]		#: [[File:Activationtime.png\|alt=Windows Script Host window that says 'Windows(R), Enterprise edition: Volume activation will expire 5/8/2022 1:53:07 PM']]

	'''If you are unable to activate for any reason other than the error covered in the below section, please see the message at the top of this section.''' If you are still unable to activate, and the computer you are attempting to activate is owned by the Institute for Advanced Computer Studies, please contact [[HelpDesk \| UMIACS staff]] with information about your problem. Otherwise, please contact the [https://itsupport.umd.edu/itsupport Division of IT].		'''If you are unable to activate for any reason other than the error covered in the below section, please see the message at the top of this section.''' If you are still unable to activate, and the computer you are attempting to activate is owned by the Institute for Advanced Computer Studies, please contact [[HelpDesk \| UMIACS staff]] with information about your problem. Otherwise, please contact the [https://itsupport.umd.edu/itsupport Division of IT].
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	If you receive the following error during activation, the most likely cause is that you are running Windows 11 Home Edition and are trying to go directly to Windows 11 Enterprise Edition, which has been observed to no longer work in newer feature releases of Windows 11.		If you receive the following error during activation, the most likely cause is that you are running Windows 11 Home Edition and are trying to go directly to Windows 11 Enterprise Edition, which has been observed to no longer work in newer feature releases of Windows 11.

	[[File:Activation_0xC004F069_error.png]]		[[File:Activation_0xC004F069_error.png\|alt=The command 'cscript c:\windows\system32\slmgr.vbs -ipk NPPR9-FWDCX-D2C8J-H872K-2YT43' is run on the Windows Command Prompt]]

	The following steps can be used to work around this:		The following steps can be used to work around this:
	# In the same Command Prompt window you had open from step 4 above, use [https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/deployment/upgrade/windows-edition-upgrades#upgrade-using-a-command-line-tool changepk.exe] instead of the previous command to attempt to activate the Enterprise product key.		# In the same Command Prompt window you had open from step 4 above, use [https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/deployment/upgrade/windows-edition-upgrades#upgrade-using-a-command-line-tool changepk.exe] instead of the previous command to attempt to activate the Enterprise product key.
	#: <pre>changepk.exe /productkey NPPR9-FWDCX-D2C8J-H872K-2YT43</pre>		#: <pre>changepk.exe /productkey NPPR9-FWDCX-D2C8J-H872K-2YT43</pre>
	#: [[File:Changepk_enterprise.png]]		#: [[File:Changepk_enterprise.png\|alt=The command 'changepk.exe /productkey NPPR9-FWDCX-D2C8J-H872K-2YT43' is typed in the Windows Command Prompt]]
	# Wait while the Preparing for upgrade window progresses. It will eventually fail after reaching 100%. Close the window.		# Wait while the Preparing for upgrade window progresses. It will eventually fail after reaching 100%. Close the window.
	#: [[File:Preparing_for_upgrade1.png]] -> [[File:Preparing_for_upgrade2.png]]		#: [[File:Preparing_for_upgrade1.png\|alt=The 'Preparing for upgrade' loading screen]] -> [[File:Preparing_for_upgrade2.png\|alt=The 'Preparing for upgrade' screen says 'Windows upgrade failed' and an error code]]
	# In Command Prompt again, use changepk.exe to activate the Pro product key.		# In Command Prompt again, use changepk.exe to activate the Pro product key.
	#: <pre>changepk.exe /productkey W269N-WFGWX-YVC9B-4J6C9-T83GX</pre>		#: <pre>changepk.exe /productkey W269N-WFGWX-YVC9B-4J6C9-T83GX</pre>
	#: [[File:Changepk_pro.png]]		#: [[File:Changepk_pro.png\|alt=The command 'changepk.exe /productkey W269N-WFGWX-YVC9B-4J6C9-T83GX' is typed in the Windows Command Prompt]]
	# Wait a few seconds, and Windows should reboot automatically. During the reboot, the Windows components required for the Pro/Enterprise Editions will be added.		# Wait a few seconds, and Windows should reboot automatically. During the reboot, the Windows components required for the Pro/Enterprise Editions will be added.
	# Log back in and attempt the [[#Activation \| main activation steps]] again to switch from Pro to Enterprise Edition.		# Log back in and attempt the [[#Activation \| main activation steps]] again to switch from Pro to Enterprise Edition.