guidox / PC
Run **slmgr /dlv** for the licence channel and **slmgr /xpr** for the expiry, then use the activation troubleshooter for a hardware change before you buy anything.
**/dlv** prints the channel, the activation ID, the remaining activations and the licence status. The channel explains what kind of key is installed.
slmgr /dlv
cscript //nologo $env:systemroot\system32\slmgr.vbs /dlv
Get-CimInstance SoftwareLicensingProduct -Filter "Name like 'Windows%'" | Select-Object Name,LicenseStatus,PartialProductKey,Description**/xpr** answers one question: permanent or expiring. A volume licence that shows an expiry date is in grace and needs the KMS server.
slmgr /xpr
Get-CimInstance SoftwareLicensingService | Select-Object OA3xOriginalProductKey,VLActivationInterval,ClientMachineID
Get-CimInstance SoftwareLicensingProduct | Where-Object PartialProductKey | Select-Object Name,LicenseStatus,GracePeriodRemaining0xC004F034 means the key does not match the edition, 0xC004F012 means the service could not reach the activation server, and 0xC004FC03 means the token is invalid.
Get-WinEvent -LogName Application -MaxEvents 200 | Where-Object ProviderName -match 'Security-SPP' | Select-Object TimeCreated,Id,Message -First 10
Get-CimInstance SoftwareLicensingProduct | Where-Object Name -like 'Windows*' | Select-Object Name,LicenseStatus,LicenseStatusReasonAfter a mainboard swap the digital licence no longer matches. The troubleshooter links the new hardware to the licence on the account, which is the only supported path for that case.
Start-Process ms-settings:activation
# Activation > Troubleshoot
Get-CimInstance Win32_ComputerSystemProduct | Select-Object UUID,IdentifyingNumber
Get-CimInstance Win32_BIOS | Select-Object SerialNumberA key that is present but not activated can be re-applied. **/ato** contacts the server; **/ipk** changes the key, which is only correct for the matching edition.
slmgr /ato
slmgr /xpr
cscript //nologo $env:systemroot\system32\slmgr.vbs /ato
Get-CimInstance SoftwareLicensingProduct | Where-Object PartialProductKey | Select-Object Name,LicenseStatusThe settings page is the authoritative display, because it also reflects the digital licence state that slmgr only reports. The watermark disappears at the next sign-in.
Start-Process ms-settings:activation
Get-CimInstance SoftwareLicensingProduct -Filter "Name like 'Windows%'" | Select-Object Name,LicenseStatus,PartialProductKey
Get-ItemProperty 'HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SoftwareProtectionPlatform' | Select-Object BackupProductKeyDefaultThe activation service cannot reach Microsoft. Check the time, the proxy and whether the Software Protection service is running.
Use the edition that matches the key, or change the edition with changepk.exe. A Pro key on Home fails with 0xC004F034.
A mainboard replacement breaks the hardware hash. Use the troubleshooter to move the licence to the new hardware.
Reboot. The watermark is drawn at sign-in and does not update live.
Yes, as administrator. Only some options such as /ipk require a matching edition.
It is tied to the hardware and can be linked to the account for transfers. Both paths exist; the hardware hash decides at first activation.
Yes, if it was removed from the old machine first. A volume licence cannot be moved this way without the KMS setup.
Nothing is changed permanently by checking. If you installed a different key with /ipk, reinstall the previous key with /ipk and activate again with /ato.
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