After upgrading from a genuine and activated Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, some users may face the issue where Windows 10 is not activated automatically or manually, which returns with message saying “Windows can’t activate. Try again later”. When going to Settings -> Update & Security -> Activation to check on activation status, you’re asked to connect to the Internet to activate Windows. When click on the “error details” link under “Activate Windows” section, the following message is displayed:

Error code: 0xC004F034

Error description: The Software Licensing Service reported that license could not be found or was invalid.

0xC004F034 Windows 10 Activation Error

The error happens despite the fact that the system is connected to Internet, and the original Windows which you’re upgraded from is legally purchased and genuine.

The cause of the activation failure error is most likely due to heavy load or network congestion on Microsoft activation server.

Resolution to make Windows 10 activates itself is simple. Leave the system running and remains online for a few moments, sometimes may be as long as a few days, and it should become activated automatically.

  1. Microsoft Account (MSA) is not required for activation.
  2. You must upgrade to Windows 10 and activated in Windows 10 to ensure that your system’s hardware ID is properly registered with Microsoft activation server that will allow you to reinstall Windows 10 without having to enter product key.

If the Windows 10 still does not become permanently activated, you can try the following tricks to force activate Windows 10:

Go to Settings -> Update & Security -> Activation , then click or tap of Activate button repetitively. Some users reported that it requires hundreds of times.

Alternatively, open a Command Prompt with administrator permission, and run the following command:

slmgr /ato

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