Error: 0x800704CF while activating Windows 10 Pro

Question

Hi

I just upgraded to windows 10 and bought a product key online (ESD) for Windows 10 Pro. I used the media creation tool and entered the key. Now on windows activation i get "Windows is activated with a digital license" but on the product key it says "The last product key (IDXXXX) you entered can't be used on this copy of Windows (0x800704CF). I haven't linked it to my microsoft account.

So if the license can't be used, how is it activated? This is the first time I installed W10 on this computer.

***Modified title from: Windows 10 activation***

Answer 1

Hi,

Thank you for replying.

Glad to know that the issue has been resolved. We appreciate your effort and time in resolving this issue.

I thank you for providing the information about how to fix it, since it might help other users with similar issues.

Let us know if you got the help you needed by clicking ‘Yes’ or ‘No’. As this will also help other people with similar issue in future.

Thanks!

Nikhar Khare

Microsoft Community - Moderator

Answer 2

Thank you, Nikhar. It was just my firewall blocking the connection to the activation servers.

Answer 3

Hi,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.

We will need the following information to help you further:

• Which edition of Windows is installed on the computer i.e. Windows 10 Home/Pro?
• Which version of Windows was installed on the computer before upgrading to Windows 10?

The error code 0x800704CF comes up when Windows couldn’t find a valid license for the device. I suggest you to refer the article Get help with Windows activation errors and perform the troubleshooting steps mentioned in the article.

You can also try running the activation troubleshooter and check if that helps in activating Windows. Refer the article Using the Activation troubleshooter.

Since you have a product key, you may try activating Windows using the product key. Refer the section Activate using a product key from the article Activate Windows 10.

If the issue persists, I suggest you to get in touch with our Live Technical support team by calling them. Please refer the article Global Customer Service phone numbers to get the Customer support number as per your country.

Regards,

Nikhar Khare

Microsoft Community - Moderator