Windows 11 pro activation problem

Question

Windows 11 pro activation problem

Albert Hovhannisyan 0

Hello, I have a problem with activation after changing the motherboard. I removed the license from the old system using cmd slmgr /upk, but after changing the motherboard it shows error 0xC004C008. Please help.

LICENSE-***Key removed

Mathias Sahlander 0 Reputation points

2025-08-11T13:40:23.78+00:00
This error indicates that the product key you’re trying to use has already been activated on another device or has exceeded the number of allowed activations.
How to fix it:

Use the Activation Troubleshooter:

Go to Settings > Update & Security > Activation.

Click Troubleshoot and follow the prompts.

Reactivate via Microsoft Support:

If the troubleshooter doesn’t work, you may need to contact Microsoft Support.

Explain the hardware change and provide proof of ownership if needed.

Use a Digital License:

If your Windows license is linked to your Microsoft account, reactivation should be easier.
Albert Hovhannisyan 0 Reputation points

2025-08-11T14:20:33.6533333+00:00

If the activation limit is exhausted, who can reset this limit?

3 answers

Your answer

Mathias Sahlander 0 Reputation points

2025-08-11T13:40:23.78+00:00

This error indicates that the product key you’re trying to use has already been activated on another device or has exceeded the number of allowed activations.
How to fix it:

Use the Activation Troubleshooter:

Go to Settings > Update & Security > Activation.

Click Troubleshoot and follow the prompts.

Reactivate via Microsoft Support:

If the troubleshooter doesn’t work, you may need to contact Microsoft Support.

Explain the hardware change and provide proof of ownership if needed.

Use a Digital License:

If your Windows license is linked to your Microsoft account, reactivation should be easier.
Albert Hovhannisyan 0 Reputation points

2025-08-11T14:20:33.6533333+00:00

If the activation limit is exhausted, who can reset this limit?

Answer 1

S.Sengupta 25,326 MVP

This error code is associated with "The activation server determined that the specified product key could not be used."

Could you run the following command, using the command prompt:

slmgr -dli

Then post back the results.

Albert Hovhannisyan 0 Reputation points

2025-08-11T14:28:52.72+00:00

I tried this command on the old motherboard and then deleted slmgr/upk after that on the new motherboard it gives an error.
S.Sengupta 25,326 Reputation points MVP

2025-08-11T14:57:01.9+00:00

Use slui 4 command

Select country or region → click Next.

A toll-free number and a long Installation ID will be on your screen

Call the number, enter the Installation ID when prompted.

Microsoft will give you a Confirmation ID → enter it to activate

Answer 2

S.Sengupta 25,326 MVP

Open Command Prompt and type:

slui 4 hit the Enter key.

Select country/region > Next.

A toll-free number and a long Installation ID will be displayed.

Call the number, enter the Installation ID when prompted.

Microsoft will give you a Confirmation ID > enter it to activate.

Answer 3

Dear Albert Hovhannisyan,

This error you met typically occurs when the activation server detects that the product key has already been used on another device or has reached its activation limit. Fortunately, there are a few ways to resolve this:

Use the Activation Troubleshooter

Go to Settings > Update & Security > Activation.

Click Troubleshoot.

If prompted, select “I changed hardware on this device recently”.

Sign in with the Microsoft account linked to your digital license.

Activate via Phone (SLUI 4)

If the troubleshooter doesn’t resolve the issue:

Press Windows + R, type SLUI 4, and press Enter.

Select your country or region, then click Next.

Call the provided number and follow the automated instructions.

When asked how many devices the key has been used on, select “1”.

Enter the confirmation ID provided to complete activation.

I hope this helps

Best regards,

Domic Vo

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Windows 11 pro activation problem

3 answers

Your answer