Windows Activation Hanging

Question

I keep getting Windows asking me to perform Activation in the Settings. When I go to settings and select Activation the top of the screen looks like it is thinking about it or progressing but nothing happens and it doesn't seem to complete what it is doing. Does anyone know how to fix this?

Answer 1

Do this first to see if it helps:

Open Start, type: CMD

Right click CMD

Click Run as administrator

Type in at the prompt OR Copy and Paste these one at a time : (Hit enter after each)

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Also run the System File Checker utility:

Open Start, type: CMD

Right click CMD

Click Run as administrator

At the Command Prompt, type: sfc/scannow

This will check for any integrity violations

Restart your system

Top reasons Windows 10 fails activate:

Not connected to the Internet

Antivirus or Firewall utilities might be blocking product activation

Your computer is behind a proxy server, disabling the proxy temporarily or using chat support can resolve this

Your computer did not upgrade from a genuine version.

The wrong edition is installed.

Your computer is running a Volume License Client requiring access to a Key Management Server (KMS) to activate. This can usually be performed by logging onto your company's domain or VPN.

You can also try restarting, then try activating manually using chat support:

https://partner.support.services.microsoft.com/...

Answer 2

Hi Nick. I'm Greg, a volunteer installation specialist and 8 year Windows MVP, here to help you.

If the Activation settings page won't resolve to view the status and any error message, or to run the Activation Troubleshooter further down that page, then I'd run a Repair Install by installing the Media Creation Tool and choosing from it to Upgrade Now. This will also bring it up to the latest version which you need anyway and by the most stable method. http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m...

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But remember that a factory or Upgrade install are inferior installs that most enthusiasts would never run in the first place because they'd expect endless issues. Most prefer to do the gold standard Clean install from this link which has had no reported issues: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

There is also an automated Refresh that reinstalls WIndows while shedding corrupting factory bloatware, saves your files, but doesn't clear the drive to get it cleanest: https://www.howtogeek.com/265054/how-to-easily-...

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I'll keep working with you until this is resolved.