Windows 8.1 Product Key and Activation

Anonymous
2013-11-22T04:35:23+00:00

About a week ago, I downloaded Windows 8.1 from MS Store. This was an upgrade for Windows 8 which came installed on my new HP PC.

The download was successful and Win 8.1 installed. However, Win 8.1 did not get activated and I keep getting a reminder screen to Activate Win 8.1.

This Activate Screen asks me to enter a Product Key. It gives me an error code of 0xc004c003 which states that the activation server has blocked my product key. It also gives the last five(5) characters of the blocked product key.

Well, I never entered a product key during the upgrade so I'm not sure where the product key came from.

I did a web search for the last five characters of the product key and it appears to be all over the web.

I used an application that showed the last fifteen(15) characters of the product key in my PC for Win 8.1 and they match the product key that I found all over the web.

It's no wonder that MS has blocked this key.

My question is. How do I activate Windows 8.1 since I have no product key.  MS Store did not provide a key with the download.

Dennis J. Ferrier

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Licensing and activation

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-10-07T02:53:41+00:00

    I cannot get windows 8,8.1 to work for nothing. I have done everything

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-02-21T19:59:06+00:00

    Yes, I performed a "system refresh" which returned my PC to the original Windows 8 OS. I have been running Windows 8 ever since.

    Basically, I am not running Windows 8 Pro which I had purchased and then received a refund: I am not running Windows 8.1 which I downloaded free but could never get an acceptable "Product Key" in order to activate Windows 8.1.

    In addition, because I performed a "system refresh", all applications that I had installed since I purchased my PC, had to be re-installed.

    An unpleasant experience with both Microsoft and Hewlett Packard.

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-02-21T18:56:40+00:00

    So, what did you do just end up doing a clean install?

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-02-14T01:29:20+00:00

    The term "blocked" leaves a lot to be desired as it has completely the wrong connotations, i.e. something illegal has happened. In reality it just cannot be authenticated because of the type of license it is.

    Millions have applied the 8.1upgrade successfully, unfortunately not you and Microsoft's stock answer of if everything else fails reinstall Windows and start again is always easier said than done.

    Now you have reset the installation the probability is that a rerun of the process will work but nobody is going to guarantee it.

    You are one of a long list of people asking for a working 8.1 key to replace the 8 for various reasons all having had the same response.

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  5. Anonymous
    2014-02-14T00:58:39+00:00

    I understand the security implications and need for a "Product Key".

    I have a problem understanding why HP or Microsoft couldn't give me answers.

    I purchased my PC from HP and it came with the Windows 8 Operating System pre-installed.

    My old PC used Windows VISTA and I was satisfied with that Operating System.

    I didn't like Windows 8 but I was getting used to it. Windows 8 did not come with Windows Media Center so I decided to upgrade to Windows 8 Pro and was willing to pay for the upgrade in order to get Media Center. That upgrade was unsuccessful and my system reverted back to Windows 8.

    Subsequently, Microsoft offered a Windows 8 upgrade to Windows 8.1 free of charge.

    The upgrade went well but Windows 8.1 could not be activated. "Microsoft server has blocked your product key,  please enter a valid product Key"!!!!!!!!!

    No one could tell me why the product key was blocked and no one could provide a workable product key.

    I didn't ask for this problem!!!!   Beware of FREE software offers!!

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