Windows 10 not activated and rejects all Volume Licence Keys

Question

Had a problem with a laptop where Bitlocker kept asking for the recovery key, over and over - even with the correct key it would just reboot and ask again.

So the device was refreshed with a clean copy of windows 10 (Enterprise) both from the local drive copy and also with a freshly downloaded copy.....now it works but will not run activation. All keys from our Volume License (to move it to 10 Edu) are rejected. Under Activation the Product ID and Product Key fields are blank.

The Software Protection Service is not running and will not start (Error 5: Access Denied) although I am logged in as local admin (and have tried domain admin)

Answer 1

You’ve resolved the BitLocker loop by reinstalling Windows 10, but now activation fails, your Product ID and Product Key fields are blank, and the Software Protection Service (sppsvc) won’t start (Error 5: Access Denied), even as a local or domain admin.

This points to deeper permissions or corruption issues with Windows licensing and system files. Here’s how to proceed:

1. Check Windows Activation Troubleshooter

• Go to Settings > Update & Security > Activation.

Click Troubleshoot (if available).

• Follow prompts- sometimes this resolves missing product key issues.

2. Fix Software Protection Service Permissions

Error 5: Access Denied for sppsvc often means the service’s permissions are broken.

Try this:

Open Services (services.msc) and locate Software Protection.

If it won’t start, you need to fix permissions in the registry:

Open regedit.exe as Administrator.

  Navigate to: **`HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\sppsvc`**
  
     Right-click **sppsvc** > **Permissions**.
     
        Ensure **SYSTEM** and **NETWORK SERVICE** have **Full Control**.
        
           Also check: **`HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SoftwareProtectionPlatform`**
           
              Make sure **Administrators** and **SYSTEM** have full control.
              
                 After fixing, reboot and try to start sppsvc again.
                 

3. Check System File Integrity

Corruption can cause activation issues:

Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run:

text
sfc /scannow

Then run:

text
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Reboot and try activation again.

4. Reinstall/Repair Windows Licensing Files

If the above fails, you may need to repair Windows:

Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run:

text
slmgr.vbs /rilc

(This reinstalls the Windows license files.)

5. Try Volume Activation Tools

Make sure you are using the correct Windows 10 Education volume license key and that it matches your installation media.

Use Volume Activation Management Tool (VAMT) if available in your environment.

6. Check for Domain/Group Policy Restrictions

• Sometimes, domain policies can block activation or service start.
• Try joining a workgroup (removing from the domain), reboot, and test activation.

7. If All Else Fails

If activation and sppsvc still fail, a clean install (with disk format, not just refresh) may be required, as deep OS corruption or permissions issues can persist across refreshes.

References:

• Microsoft’s official troubleshooting for BitLocker and activation issues 136.
• Known issues with BitLocker and recovery loops 136.

Community discussions on sppsvc permissions and activation errors.

Summary: Your issue is likely due to broken permissions or corruption in Windows licensing services. Fix registry permissions for sppsvc, run SFC/DISM, and try activation again. If unresolved, a full clean install (not just refresh) may be necessary. You’ve resolved the BitLocker loop by reinstalling Windows 10, but now activation fails, your Product ID and Product Key fields are blank, and the Software Protection Service (sppsvc) won’t start (Error 5: Access Denied), even as a local or domain admin.

This points to deeper permissions or corruption issues with Windows licensing and system files. Here’s how to proceed:

1. Check Windows Activation Troubleshooter

Go to Settings > Update & Security > Activation.

Click Troubleshoot (if available).

• Follow prompts- sometimes this resolves missing product key issues.

2. Fix Software Protection Service Permissions

Error 5: Access Denied for sppsvc often means the service’s permissions are broken.

Try this:

Open Services (services.msc) and locate Software Protection.

If it won’t start, you need to fix permissions in the registry:

Open regedit.exe as Administrator.

  Navigate to:  
  `HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\sppsvc`
  
     Right-click sppsvc > Permissions.
     
        Ensure SYSTEM and NETWORK SERVICE have Full Control.
        
           Also check:  
           `HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SoftwareProtectionPlatform`
           
              Make sure Administrators and SYSTEM have full control.
              
                 After fixing, reboot and try to start sppsvc again.
                 

3. Check System File Integrity

Corruption can cause activation issues:

Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run:

text
sfc /scannow

Then run:

text
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Reboot and try activation again.

4. Reinstall/Repair Windows Licensing Files

If the above fails, you may need to repair Windows:

Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run:

text
slmgr.vbs /rilc

(This reinstalls the Windows license files.)

5. Try Volume Activation Tools

Make sure you are using the correct Windows 10 Education volume license key and that it matches your installation media.

Use Volume Activation Management Tool (VAMT) if available in your environment.

6. Check for Domain/Group Policy Restrictions

• Sometimes, domain policies can block activation or service start.
• Try joining a workgroup (removing from the domain), reboot, and test activation.

7. If All Else Fails

If activation and sppsvc still fail, a clean install (with disk format, not just refresh) may be required, as deep OS corruption or permissions issues can persist across refreshes.

References:

• Microsoft’s official troubleshooting for BitLocker and activation issues.
• Known issues with BitLocker and recovery loops.

Community discussions on sppsvc permissions and activation errors.

Summary:
Your issue is likely due to broken permissions or corruption in Windows licensing services. Fix registry permissions for sppsvc, run SFC/DISM, and try activation again. If unresolved, a full clean install (not just refresh) may be necessary.