Windows 11/10 has a complicated mechanism for Activation. It helps in the verification of a genuine copy of Windows 10. But sometimes, it throws the error code 0xc000f074. It is caused if the Key Management Service or KMS is not reachable by the client computer or if the key used in the SLSetAuthenticationData function call is incorrect. This error code mostly surfaces on computers that are upgraded to Windows 11/10 from an earlier version.
The error could appear as either of the following depending upon where you encounter it:
- Windows is unable to reach your company’s activation service. Please connect to your corporate network. If you are connected and continue to see the error, contact your system administrator. You can also click on the error detail to find the exact error. Error code: 0xC004F074.
- Activating Windows(R),
(Key hash)…
Error: 0xC004F074 The Software Licensing Service reported that the computer could not be activated. No Key Management Service (KMS) could be contacted.
Please see the Application Event Log for additional information. - Error 0xC004F078, SL_E_AUTHN_MISMATCHED_KEY, The Software Licensing Service reported that the key is mismatched.
Windows Activation error 0xC004F078
If you cannot activate Windows 11/10, then here are some method to fix the Windows Activation error 0xC004F078:
- Use the correct key for your type of Windows copy
- Use Command Prompt to reinstall the key.
- Use the Activation Troubleshooter.
1] Use the correct key for your type of Windows copy
Check the type of your Windows copy – Is it OEM, Retail or Volume? – and ensure that you are using the correct, valid product key for your system.
2] Use Command Prompt to reinstall the key
Run the Command Prompt as Administrator. Now execute the following commands:
To uninstall the existing key, enter:
slmgr.vbs /upk
To install the KMS Product Key, enter:
slmgr.vbs /ipk <The KMS Product Key>
Once done, you will get a prompt whether the operation was either successful or not.
To activate it online, type:
slmgr.vbs /ato
To activate it using the telephone, type:
slui.exe 4
After activating the KMS key, restart the Software Protection Service.
You can then also verify the Activation Status to check if your fix was successful or not.
Read: Troubleshoot KMS Activation on Windows Server.
3] Use the Activation Troubleshooter
You can run the Activation troubleshooter. The Windows Activation Troubleshooter will help you address most commonly encountered activation issues on Genuine Windows devices including those caused by hardware changes.
Hope these fixes have helped you.
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