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Struggling to Activate Windows error codes (0xc000022, System error 5, 0x80004005)

Anonymous
2025-01-08T21:36:01+00:00

A few years ago, I hard reset my pc because I was trying to fix blue screens with my computer (later realized it was incompatible ram). Once windows reinstalled, I had to add a new key. I did so and got an error code; (0xc000022). I didn't care at the time but now have come back. I've looked further into it and tried starting windows software protection in services.msc but it restricts me with System error 5, (basically denies my access). I ran it with administrator on command prompt and still had the same issue.

[

C:\Windows\System32>net start sppsvc

The Software Protection service is starting.

The Software Protection service could not be started.

A system error has occurred.

System error 5 has occurred.

Access is denied.
]

I've also tried looking into the windows activation troubleshooter, this also gives me (0xc0000022).

I have been looking for a fix for days and I can't find one.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Licensing and activation

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  1. Anonymous
    2025-01-09T07:57:42+00:00

    Hello Sam McDonnell,

    Welcome to the Microsoft Community.

    It seems like you're encountering multiple activation-related errors on your Windows system, specifically error codes 0xc000022, System error 5, and 0x80004005. These errors generally indicate issues with Windows services, permissions, or the activation process itself. Let’s go through step-by-step to resolve these problems.

    1. System Error 5: Access is Denied

    System error 5 typically means that the current user doesn't have sufficient permissions to perform the action. To fix this issue, we need to make sure that you are running commands as Administrator and that your user account has the correct privileges.

    Steps to Fix System Error 5:

    • Run Command Prompt as Administrator:
    1. Press Windows + X and select Command Prompt (Admin) or Windows PowerShell (Admin).
    2. In the command prompt window, type the following command to try starting the Software Protection Service again: 
       net start sppsvc
    • If you still get "Access is denied", you may need to take ownership of the service manually.
    • Take Ownership of the Sppsvc Service:
    1. Open File Explorer and go to C:\Windows\System32.
    2. Locate sppsvc.dll.
    3. Right-click on the file and select Properties.
    4. Go to the Security tab and click on Advanced.
    5. Change the owner of the file to your user account and ensure that you have full control over the file.
    6. Once ownership is changed, try starting the service again.

    2. Fixing Activation Errors: 0xc000022 and 0x80004005

    These errors often occur due to problems with the activation system or corrupted files related to activation. There are a few steps to try in this situation:

    Step 1: Run the Windows Activation Troubleshooter

    • Open Settings > Update & Security > Activation.
    • If you see an Activate Windows option or a troubleshooter link, click on Troubleshoot and follow the prompts. This can sometimes resolve activation issues automatically.

    Step 2: Check Windows License Status

    • Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
    • Type the following command to check the activation status: 
        slmgr /xpr

    This will show you if your Windows installation is activated permanently or if it needs a new key. If it says your Windows is not activated, it could be that your current key is invalid.

    Step 3: Re-enter the Product Key

    If you suspect that the current product key is causing the issue:

    1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
    2. Type the following command: 
       slmgr /ipk <Your-Product-Key>

    Replace <Your-Product-Key> with your actual Windows product key.

    1. Then, type the following command to activate Windows: 
       slmgr /ato

    This will re-enter the key and attempt to activate Windows. If the product key is valid, this should resolve the activation issue.

    Step 4: Run the System File Checker (SFC) and DISM

    Corrupted system files can interfere with activation. Running SFC (System File Checker) and DISM (Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool) can help fix these issues. Follow the steps to run System File Checker:

    1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
    2. Run the following commands one by one:
      DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth 
      DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth 
      DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
    3. Run sfc /scannow and wait for the process to complete. Check if there are any detected errors.

    Step 5: Reactivate Windows Using Activation Command

    Sometimes Windows activation may require manual reactivation using a specific command.

    • Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
    • Type the following command to reactivate Windows: 
        slmgr /rearm

    This command will reset the activation clock for Windows, allowing you to try the activation process again.

    3. Additional Solutions for Error Code 0x80004005

    The error code 0x80004005 can also relate to system or network issues that might prevent activation.

    Step 1: Check Date and Time Settings

    If your system’s date and time are incorrect, it can prevent Windows from connecting to the activation server.

    • Open Settings > Time & Language.
    • Ensure that Set time automatically is turned on and that the correct time zone is selected.

    Step 2: Check for Windows Updates

    Sometimes the issue can be caused by missing updates or incomplete updates.

    • Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.
    • Check for any pending updates and install them. Afterward, restart your computer and check if the activation issue persists.

    4. Reset the Windows Activation Store

    In some cases, resetting the activation store can help resolve activation errors.

    • Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
    • Type the following command to reset the activation store: 
        slmgr /upk

  slmgr /cpky

    After resetting, restart your computer and attempt to activate again.

    5. Contact Microsoft Chat Support

    If none of the above steps resolve the issue, it might be necessary to contact Microsoft support for assistance. You can reach the dedicated support team via their support website. They may provide you more advanced troubleshooting steps. Here's how to contact Microsoft:

    1. Visit this site: Contact - Microsoft Support
    2. Type "contact" and click Get Help.
    3. Click contact support at the bottom of the page.
    4. Sign in with your Microsoft account.
    5. Under Products and Services, select Windows.
    6. In the category, select Activate my product, then click confirm.
    7. You can access the chat window by selecting “Chat with a Support Specialist in a Web Browser”.

    Please Note: The Chat support team only works at certain times, so if the last window says the service is not available, try to come back later. If you prefer phone support, you can leave a phone number. That way, they can call you and help you.

    Conclusion

    The issues you are facing could be related to incorrect permissions, corrupt files, or problems with your product key. Start by running the Windows Activation Troubleshooter and checking your system’s activation status. If the problem persists, try the steps above to reset your activation settings, run system file repair tools, and manually re-enter the product key. If all else fails, contact Microsoft Chat Support for further assistance. Let me know if you need any clarification on any step!

    Best Regards,

    William.Y | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

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