Windows 10 suddenly deactivated

Sumit 42,906 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2018-11-08T11:09:46+00:00

Hi,

There is an ongoing issue about Windows 10 suddenly shown as deactivated. The affected users need not to do anything as it is a known issue. Here is what was told by Microsoft Chat support:

Microsoft has just released an Emerging issue announcement about current activation issue related to Pro edition recently. This happens in Japan, Korea, American and many other countries.I am very sorry to inform you that there is a temporary issue with Microsoft's activation server at the moment and some customers might experience this issue where Windows is displayed as not activated.

Our engineers are working tirelessly to resolve this issue and it is expected to be corrected within one to two business days

Thanks to Vijay_Verma and Danielfor the information.

Thanks to PaulSey..., a Microsoft employee in this thread which has explanation about this in more detail:

We are aware of reports that some customers’ Windows 10 Pro and Windows 10 Enterprise machines are not recognizing their licenses as activated. Users may receive the following notification: “Error: you are running Windows 10 Pro, but you have valid digital license for Windows 10 Home," or one of the following error codes 0X803F8001, 0xC004C003.

We are actively working to resolve this within 24 hours. You can still use your PC; however, the watermark will appear until activation is restored. Thank you for your patience.

We will update this post with additional information as needed and once activations are restored.

Edit 1: Users report that Windows activation troubleshooter might say You have a Windows 10 Home license but you are running Windows 10 Pro. You are advised to ignore that message and wait for the fix.


Edit 2: Update as of morning 11/9/2018 Morning EST.

Any affected customer can continue to use Windows 10 Pro as usual, and the watermark will disappear within 24 hours as activation is automatically restored.

To manually resolve the issue:  Select the Start button, select Settings > Update & security > Activation, and then select Troubleshoot to run the Activation Troubleshooter.  (If the device is already activated, the Troubleshoot option will not appear.)

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Licensing and activation

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-11-08T21:50:17+00:00

    We are aware of reports that some customers’ Windows 10 Pro and Windows 10 Enterprise machines are not recognizing their licenses as activated. Users may receive the following notification: “Error: you are running Windows 10 Pro, but you have valid digital license for Windows 10 Home," or one of the following error codes 0X803F8001, 0xC004C003.

    We are actively working to resolve this within 24 hours. You can still use your PC; however, the watermark will appear until activation is restored. Thank you for your patience.

    We will update this post with additional information as needed and once activations are restored.

    Paul...

    117 people found this answer helpful.
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  1. Anonymous
    2018-11-08T11:30:40+00:00

    It's more than that. The troubleshooter informed me that I was now on Windows 10 Home. I upgraded from Windows 8.1 Pro to Windows 10 Pro.

    214 people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Sumit 42,906 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2018-11-08T11:31:57+00:00

    HI Kaizen, 

    Most probably you have an earlier license like an OEM i.e. came preinstalled with the computer. Did it came with Windows 8.1 Home?

    13 people found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2018-11-08T11:37:08+00:00

    Same issue here running Windows 10 Pro Insider Preview

    46 people found this answer helpful.
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  4. Anonymous
    2018-11-08T11:41:11+00:00

    Same issue. Valid Win 8 Pro license updated to 8.1 then 10. Has been fine for ages. Bought from reputable seller. Retail not OEM. Suddenly today it tells me it's 10 Home.

    62 people found this answer helpful.
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