The error 0x803F7001 is an activation failed error and it mostly occurs when you have upgraded your current Windows version to its nextGen. Using a non-activated Windows has its demerits. Some of these are not being able to change the existing wallpaper and several others.
Since you are here, you must have encountered this bug as well and now you are looking for answers that can solve this problem of yours. Well, in this post, we will look into four working ways that should resolve this error code. This error often comes with an error message that reads the following –
"We can't activate Windows on this device because you don't have a valid digital license or product key. If you think you do have a valid license or key, select Troubleshoot below. Error code: 0x803F7001"
What results in an activation error 0x803f7001?
This error usually appears when you are not having a genuine product key and yet are using that to activate your Windows copy. In some cases, however, this is a direct result of your system not being able to connect to Microsoft Servers online.
Wait for the servers to be up and running and again and retry activating your Windows. Or, you may try logging into your Microsoft account and attempting these fixes –
- Try signing into your Microsoft Account
- Use Your 25-digit Product Key
- Activate Windows 10 via Command Prompt
- Activate Windows by Phone
Fix Activation Error 0x803F7001 on Windows 11/10
If you are constantly getting an activation error 0x803F7001 on Windows 10, consider applying the below fixes –
1] Try signing into your Microsoft Account
If you were previously logged into your Microsoft account, a digital license must have been attached to your user profile. Now that you have upgraded to Windows 11, and are facing this activation error 0x803F7001, try signing into your official account which you were using before.
Go to Settings > System > Activation next, and click Troubleshoot. The system will connect to Microsoft servers online and check for any digital license associated with your account. If there is indeed such a license, your device will get activated automatically using that.
2] Use Your 25-digit Product Key
If you do have access to your 25-digit product key, you may use that as well to activate your Windows copy. This method won’t work if you are not having a genuine product key. In that case, you may visit Microsoft’s official website, and purchase a new product key for your device.
Assuming you did have a genuine product key, follow these steps to activate Windows 11 or Windows 10 –
Windows 11:
- Press Win + I to launch Settings.
- Go to System > Activation, and click the Change button next to “Change product key”.
- Fill in the provided space with a genuine 25-digit product key and hit Next.
- The system will connect to Microsoft Servers online and check if the entered product is indeed valid and genuine.
- Your device will activate in no time, provided you are not using the same product key on some other device.
Windows 10:
- Open Settings by pressing Windows + I.
- Go to Update & Security and then click Activation.
- Head over to the right pane and click the Change product key option.
- Fill in the provided space with a genuine 25-digit product key and hit Next.
- Wait for the next 1-2 minutes so that Microsoft checks for the entered product key in its database.
- If the product key is indeed genuine, your device will activate in no time, provided you are not using the same key elsewhere.
Restart your PC so that the recent changes come into effect.
3] Activate Windows 10 via Command Prompt
Alternatively, one may also use the CMD to activate his/her Windows copy. To do so, one needs to run a few commands on the elevated console. Here’s what you need to execute on Command Prompt having admin rights –
- Remove the existing product key from your device by running this code.
slmgr -upk
- Now, remove the existing product key from the registry on your computer. This command prevents a product key from being stolen by malicious code.
slmgr -cpky
- Run the below code to activate your Windows copy using a genuine 25-digit product key. Make sure to replace “X” with an actual digit combination.
slmgr -ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX
- In the end, run this code to force Windows to go for online activation.
slmgr -ato
Restart your PC next and check if you can use your Windows copy without any issues.
4] Activate Windows by Phone
If none of the above methods work to resolve the activation error and you are 100% sure of the product key’s trueness, you may activate Windows by Phone as well. To do so, follow these easy steps –
- Right-click on the Windows icon and select Run.
- Type “
Slui 4” on it and press the Enter key. - Choose the country or region where you’re currently living. Select the region correctly as you’ll get an automated phone call later on.
- When you get a call from Microsoft, pick up and read out the Installation ID over the call.
- The operator will check for its trueness and if everything seems normal, s/he will read out a Confirmation ID.
- Type this confirmation ID at the appropriate place and hit Activate Windows.
- Wait for the activation to complete on its own and once finished, restart your computer.
Boot into your device normally and check if the activation error 0x803F7001 resolves this way.
I hope you were able to activate your Windows copy by following either of the above-mentioned solutions. If not, let us know in the comment section and we suggest what you may do next.
