Deactivation of Windows outside commonly predicted scenarios

Question

Deactivation of Windows outside commonly predicted scenarios

Claus Debanker 101

While the error 0xC004F012 has appeared on Settings\Activation when no hardware change or OS operation was underway over a steadfast history, it's been made particularly accented by the fact it stamped itself on two different devices with different editions (Home, Pro) and separate routines.

What's more, automated phone Support for Windows activation implicitly is not including any undefined occurences of Windows deactivation as of uncreditable origin.

So what's advised to do now that a Windows deactivation has occured without previously any of the assigned reasons in place (hardware change or new deployment etc.)?

Claus Debanker 101 Reputation points

2025-06-11T15:23:40.0133333+00:00

I see that it is common for both devices to not have the sppsvc service available at all (it can't start). For example, while the icon is present in /system32

And I don't think to start all over with slmgr /upk will do it any good, as this looks like deep-seated. For example, all command line of slmgr is ended with

All the personalization block is incapacitated. For example. according to troubleshooter, Windows Search is perfectly functional but not available to user's desktop.

And the activation troubleshooter cannot end with detecting. Adding a new product key is probably obstacled, since trying the same one was not accepted.
Claus Debanker 101 Reputation points

2025-06-13T08:52:34.0033333+00:00

(Parenthesis to a key management disquisition)

While Home edition is not equipped for Hyper-V capabilities, a separate Pro device may have created a full version Windows 11pro VM and one Windows 10pro VM; in those VMs it has been used the product key of the host computer to initiate the creation of the VMs but Windows activation from within the VMs is never attempted so as not create any key management issue against the host computer. In the event that afterwards the host computer becomes Windows deactivated, there's absolutely no reason to account for it the VMs since the incapable Home edition became deactivated too? Or could a network which is not configured for interconnection to become accomplish to key misorientation?

2 answers

Your answer

Claus Debanker 101 Reputation points

2025-06-11T15:23:40.0133333+00:00

I see that it is common for both devices to not have the sppsvc service available at all (it can't start). For example, while the icon is present in /system32

And I don't think to start all over with slmgr /upk will do it any good, as this looks like deep-seated. For example, all command line of slmgr is ended with

All the personalization block is incapacitated. For example. according to troubleshooter, Windows Search is perfectly functional but not available to user's desktop.

And the activation troubleshooter cannot end with detecting. Adding a new product key is probably obstacled, since trying the same one was not accepted.
Claus Debanker 101 Reputation points

2025-06-13T08:52:34.0033333+00:00

(Parenthesis to a key management disquisition)

While Home edition is not equipped for Hyper-V capabilities, a separate Pro device may have created a full version Windows 11pro VM and one Windows 10pro VM; in those VMs it has been used the product key of the host computer to initiate the creation of the VMs but Windows activation from within the VMs is never attempted so as not create any key management issue against the host computer. In the event that afterwards the host computer becomes Windows deactivated, there's absolutely no reason to account for it the VMs since the incapable Home edition became deactivated too? Or could a network which is not configured for interconnection to become accomplish to key misorientation?

Answer 1

Hi Claus,

Thank you for sharing the detailed information.

To better assist you in resolving the issue, could you kindly help clarify a few things:

Activation Method

Please open Command Prompt on both devices and run: slmgr /dlv

Look for the line that says "Product Key Channel" and let me know what it displays.

License Details

Could you also confirm how the license was obtained? (e.g., purchased online, MSDN, volume agreement, pre-installed by manufacturer, etc.)

Regarding the error code 0xC0000022 from slmgr /upk: This typically indicates a permissions issue or underlying system corruption.

Since the error mentions Access Denied when starting the Software Protection service, please double-check that the necessary permissions are in place. Specifically, make sure that Administrators, Power Users, and SYSTEM have full control over the relevant registry keys and services.
Additionally, to rule out system file corruption, open an elevated Command Prompt (Run as Administrator) and execute: sfc /scannow This will scan and attempt to repair any damaged system files that might be interfering with activation.

Windows Updates

Have there been any recent Windows updates when the issue started? That could help narrow down potential causes.

Let me know once you've had a chance to check.

Answer 2

Claus Debanker 101

Like I said, all slmgr command line is ended with the 0xC0000022 error code, but accidentally I found out that in Safe Mode the /dlv cmdlet gave error code 0xC0020036 e.g.

(no sceen snip available in Safe Mode)

Windows Script Host

Error: 0xC0020036 On a computer running Microsoft Windows non-core edition, run 'slui.exe 0x2a 0xC0020036' to display the error text.

(It's certain the latest key with one device is a retail online for an upgrade to Pro edition and the other device had pre-installed OEM key which was upgraded by Windows Update to a higher version of Home edition, that is, to Home 10.) So this difference probably does not help with why the issue is identical for both devices.

About the necessary permissions, they all look in place as I was checking with it by way of online ms-partner posts for the particular problem. And recent or older history can't account for any such change in permissions.

Also the System File Scan looks alright too - no integrity violations.

(You think though that apps like icacls.exe or takeown.exe could have such a side effect when used to /reset, /grant, or /f the Windows directory? If so, what check-up should point to restoration of Windows activation?)

As for Windows Update, it's not so easy now to check how it be while the whole personalization block became incapacitated; For example, navigating to Activation or Troubleshoot is functional, but not Windows Update -last time though I was able to check with it, it had completed all tasks.

Claus Debanker 101 Reputation points

2025-06-16T12:23:56.88+00:00

I take it it's only default that the sppsvc User or Group within tab 'Permissions for SoftwareProtectionPlatform' is assigned only grey Special permissions, right? While admin and system is in full control. That would be in regedt HLM\software\microsoft\WindowsNT\current version\SoftwareProtectionPlatform

by rightclicking SoftwareProtectionPlatform, then left clicking Permissions, then finding sppsvc User or Group within the lone Security tab.

(And if checking with Properties of sppsvc.exe in system32 Folder, the Security tab there lists no sppsvc as User or Group alongside to Administrators or SYSTEM.)

Now, any Power Users are not designated for these devices, but that was not at all the problem previously with Windows Activation.
Claus Debanker 101 Reputation points

2025-06-16T13:08:28.07+00:00

And as you can see, wmic either can't help with the OEM device if slui.exe could work for the other by entering the existing key:

At any rate, Changing the product key by entering the same one as before, it's not recognized neither in the retail key device. And if there is one back-up key in the Windows Registry, it didn't work either. By checking with Task Scheduler I find out 'SvcRestartTaskLogon' and 'SvcRestartTaskNetwork' are disabled (default?); by enabling them and rebooting, 'sppsvc' is still inaccessible. For example, trying to delete and recreate the service with sc.exe there's error 5 for denied access, it can't be deleted.

By assigning permissions to 'sppsvc' in the lone Security tab of 'SoftwareProtectionPlatform' against the supposed default (only Special permissions), 'sppsvc' still can't start and access is denied.

Share via

Deactivation of Windows outside commonly predicted scenarios

2 answers

Your answer