When you try to activate Windows Vista by using the Windows Vista activation process, you may receive an error code or an error message. This article contains a list of Microsoft Knowledge Base articles that can help you troubleshoot these error codes and error messages.
Just locate that error code or error message in the following list, and then follow the instructions.
Error code 0xC004C003
The activation server determined that the specific product key is in use.
This error code indicates that the product key that you entered has already been activated, and you must obtain a different product key.
Error code 0xC004E003
The Software Licensing Service reported that the license evaluation failed.
This error code indicates that you must rerun the Windows Vista activation process.
For more information about error code 0xC004E003, click the following link:
Error code 0x80072EFD
A Connection with the server could not be established.
This error code indicates that there may be issues with your Internet connection. Verify that your Internet connection is working, and then try to activate Windows Vista again.
For more information about error codes 0xC004C003, 0xC004E003, and 0x80072EFD, click the following link:
Error code 0xC004F050
The Software Licensing Service reported that the product key is invalid.
For more information about this error code, click the following link:
Error code 0xC004F061
The Software Licensing Service determined that this specified product key can only be used for upgrading, not for clean installations.
For more information about this error code, click the following link:
Error code 0x8007000D
Unable to Open the License. The Data is Invalid.
This error code indicates that the initial download may have been corrupted, and you may have to download the package again.
For more information about this error code, click the following link:
Error message
The Product Key You Have Entered Will Not Work With This Edition or Version of Windows Vista.
If you receive this error message, you may have inserted a product key for an edition of Windows Vista that does not match the installed edition.
For more information about this error message, click the following link:
Error message
The Windows Vista (product version) product key you typed is invalid for activation.
If you receive this error message, there may be an issue with the installed version of Windows and with the product key that you used.
For more information about this error message, click the following link:
Error message
To Use the Product Key You Entered, Start the Installation from Your Existing Version of Windows.
If you receive this error message, you must first start the computer by using the currently installed version of Windows. Then, start Windows Vista Setup.
For more information about this error message, click the following link:
Error message
Your Activation Period Has Expired.
If you receive this error message, Windows Vista may not have been activated within the 30-day activation period, or there may have been significant hardware changes on the system.
For more information about this error message, click the following link:
Complete list of AskVG articlesThis article was posted in Troubleshooting, Windows Vista.
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Manan
Amazing list
VG
Thanks. It has been taken from MS Help and Support website.
Willie
What about the 0x8007232B error message? DNS name does not exist! This seems to be a more common problem with vista business, I don't understand why it is doing it, It's a legit copy of vista and there is an active internet connection. I don't understand!?
VG
^^ Open "System properties" and click on "Change Product Key". Now enter your product key and Windows will activate itself without any problem. Its a known bug in Vista Business Edition.
Sora
Dear Vishal,
I have a dell notebook and a dell desktop at home. I have a vista home premium that comes with the notebook and i want to install it on my desktop as well. Is it okay if i install it on my desktop using the same product key in the notebook?
VG
^^ No. You can't install it in any other system.
hey
do u know error code 0xC004F007
coco
hi Vishal. I've installed Windows Vista Enterprise without entering product key on my PC. When I try to activate Windows, appear this error message:
"Error code 0xC004F059"
"Description: The Software Licensing Service reported that a license in the computer BIOS is invalid"
can you explain this for me? what should I do to solve this problem?
VG
^^ It happens when you try a crack to activate Windows Vista. You'll need to reinstall Windows with a genuine key.
Gregory Maddaford
I started receiving the message " This version of windows is not genuine". It then tells us that we need to Validate our Windows Vista, but when we try, it says our product key is not valid. I contacted the store where we purchased our laptop and they had HP contact us. After explaining the problem they sent me a System Recovery DVD. I followed the instructions, recovered my system and restored my backup. The problem seemed to be fixed, but after about 2 weeks, the problem returned. Windows will not download updates due to it believing we have a pirated copy. Is this a virus and how do we fix it if it is? If not, what do we do?