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Unable to activate Windows after a Reset; sppsvc refuses to start, gives System Error 183.

Anonymous
2023-04-19T10:43:38+00:00

Summary: See title. Following a PC reset, attempting to re-activate Windows gives Error 0xc0000022, which I have tracked down to being a failure for sppsvc to start. Attempting to start sppsvc gives System Error 183, which I cannot seem to find relevant information on.

Full timeline:

The previous question occurred: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/lock-screen-stuck-font-different/8128e533-557a-4b3c-8dac-a7d30bac93b8

After some time, I made the decision to reset the computer. I did a Cloud-based reset, as I did not trust the files on the PC to be correct if the font refused to fix. I detached the D:/ and E:/ drives that held only personal files, reset the PC, and then reattached D:/ and E:/ drives. Everything appeared fine upon startup; resetting fixed the issue I was having! Except, it wants me to re-activate Windows.

So I try to do that. I end up finding the sticker that had the old, original activation key. It gives me error code 0xc0000022. Using other questions, I check the Software Protection Service (sppsvc), and it's stopped. Simple solution then, right? Just start it.

Attempting to start it through Task Manager doesn't do anything. Attempting to start it in Services gives more details, saying "Error 183: Cannot Create a file when that file already exists." I check around some, ensure that NETWORK SERVICE account has Read permissions to the Windows\System32\Tasks\Microsoft\Windows\SoftwareProtectionPlatform folder; I even gave it Read & Execute permissions briefly to see if that was the issue. Attempting to start it afterwards fails, same error.

I tried using the command prompt commands:

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

sfc /scannow

net start sppsvc

in that order, while letting each command complete of course. It doesn't start. The specific error I get in command prompt:

The Software Protection Service is starting.

The Software Protection Service could not be started. 

A system error has occurred.

System error 183 has occurred.

Cannot create file when that file already exists.

This is where I've been able to get thus far. I tried looking into it further, but I've gotten nothing actionable. This error may suggest account corruption, but I've found nothing on how to fix the NETWORK SERVICE account that sppsvc uses.

In the Computer Manager, navigating to SoftwareProtectionPlatform under Tasks says that the Last Run Result of SvcRestartTaskLogon was (0xC0000022) as well.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Licensing and activation

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-04-20T15:13:22+00:00

    If your Windows 10 activation came from free digital upgrade, you still need the original key installed on your PC to activate Windows.Here are the steps to extract your product key:

    Press the Windows key on your keyboard then type CMD > run as Administrator.Then enter copy and paste the command below:wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKeyThe 25-digit product key will then appear.Or you can use the ShowKeyPlus app that will help you extract the product key.

    [https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/showkeyplus/9...]

    Once you have the Product key, here are the steps to activate Windows:On your keyboard, please press Windows and R then type SLUI 3Then enter your Windows Product keyOr you can try to to activate Windows by phone using the confirmation ID installed on your PC.

    On your keyboard please press Windows and R then type SLUI 4Select your location (or the location nearest to you) from the drop-down list, and then select Next.Call one of the available phone numbers listed. An automated system will guide you through the activation process using the installation ID.Here is the link on how you can activate Windows by phone:

    [https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/pro...]

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  2. Anonymous
    2023-04-20T10:29:02+00:00

    This machine was originally running Windows 7. At some point, when the offer to upgrade directly from 7 to Windows 10 was offered for free, the device was upgraded. After the reset, it is currently running Windows 10, just without being activated.

    I downloaded the Visual C++ redistributable and then restarted the computer, and it still cannot start the Software Protection service (sppsvc), giving the same error as before.

    I have heard that there was something that needed to be done to activate/allow sppsvc on machines that were upgraded from Windows 7, but I cannot manage to find trustworthy information and instructions to support that. I bring this up mostly to ask if it could be related.

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-04-19T15:28:24+00:00

    Is this the first you will upgrade from Windows 7 to 10?

    In this case try installing the Visual C ++ from the link provided.

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-04-19T12:04:38+00:00

    Windows Version: 21H2 (OS Build 19044.2846)

    The computer in question was originally a Windows 7 Pro that was upgraded to directly Windows 10, bypassing Windows 8 entirely. The Windows license was provided with purchase of the device.

    Appwiz.cpl shows 8 programs, none of which are Visual C++. They are:
    Google Chrome

    Microsoft Edge

    Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime

    Microsoft Update Health Tools

    Mozilla Firefox

    Mozilla Maintenance Service

    Realtek High Definition Audio Driver

    Windows PC Health Check

    Is there a particular version (2015, 2017, 2019, etc.) of Visual C++ that I should install?

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  5. Anonymous
    2023-04-19T11:42:02+00:00

    Hello Mitchell,

    My name is Nada I'm here to help you.

    I'm sorry that you are experiencing this issue, and I will try my best to assist you.

    I know how important it is for you to activate Windows. No worries will get it sorted for you.

    The issue has something to do with Windows system file corruption, missing DLL files, or other third-party programs installed on your computer.

    Let me ask you a few questions to provide a proper resolution.

    -What is the build and version of your Windows? To check please press the Windows key and R on your keyboard then type winver and press enter.

    -Do you have a copy of your product key? Please do not provide it here.

    -How did you obtain your Windows license?

    In the meantime, you can try these steps

    Please press the Windows key and R on your keyboard then type appwiz.cpl and press enter.

    Look for the Visual C++ > right click > Change > Repair

    Please perform the same steps with all versions of Visual C ++ installed on your PC.

    Another option is to reinstall all Visual C++ on your computer.

    Please press the Windows key and R on your keyboard then type appwiz.cpl and press enter > Look for the Visual C++ > right click > Uninstall.

    Here is the link where you can reinstall the Visual C ++

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/the-l...

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