If you ever run into a situation where you need to change your product key so you can activate windows, there’s a simple command line technique to do so. Simply open a command prompt and type in “slmgr.vbs –ipk [product key]”
After a few moments, the following message should appear.
When you’re done that, type “slmgr.vbs /ato” to activate windows (see below)
And the following message should appear shortly afterwards if you did everything right.
This works on Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8.
Thank you very much. It worked.
It doesn’t work for me. I get: “Error: 0xC004F025 Access denied: the requested action requires elevated privileges”. Any ideas?
Are you using an elevated command prompt (Run as Administrator)?
No, I just went to start, run, “CMD”, and typed in the command line. It is an OLD work computer though…so maybe there is something in the bios that requires admin rights or something, to be able to alter whatever files this is altering?? I don’t know.
Try with Run as Administrator, it should resolve your issue.
Now that I figured out how to do that, it worked. Thanks!
i m receiving this error .. kindly help
‘slmgr.vbs’ is not recognized as an internal or external command,
operate program or batch file.
What version of Windows are you running this on?
Hi MMMan. I am getting the same message as Raja. I am using Windows 7 Home Premium. I also tried right-click on Computer, Properties and there is no link to the Windows Key. Thanks for your help.
I also ran it as administrator.
I also get the same error and I am running the cmd as admin. Is it because the product key I have has already expired?
What version of Windows are you running this on?
Hi i tried your method and every thing went well till the last window.
It shows
Activating Windows(R) 7, Professional edition
(xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx)….
Error: 0xC004c008 The activation server determined that the specified product key could not be used.
Thanks
Sounds to me like your product key could’ve been activated too many times already. Typically if you call the Microsoft software activations department, they can help clear that up for you.
Thanks. Spent three hours on this. After going into start -> and -> cmd.exe and then typing the ‘slmgr.vbs’ line with the new product key, DO NOT push the enter key, but instead push Ctrl+Shift + Enter. This is running a command as Adminstrator and was what I was doing wrong for 3 hours.
I followed th same step to change my windows key and this dialogue box is apprearing
On a computer running Microsoft Windows non-core edition, run ‘slui.exe 0*2a0*C004F015
Error: 0*C004F015
Sir plz help
What to do now?
It is not worked on already activated windows 7.
I need to change key after activation.
Regards1
THIS IS AWESOME
Thanks thanks thanks
Thanks,
I followed the same steps to change my windows key
it Works…….
Thank you so much.
Its works..
You are genius 🙂
hi, i m run in admin. i got the error“Error: 0xC004F025 Access denied: the requested action requires elevated privileges”.
i got an error that “no dns severs cofigured for local system”
please help me
it says: Error: product activation failed…
after entering product key in cmd….
My laptop’s previous owner upgraded it to windows 8. If I change it to the product key on the back of the laptop, will there be a problem?
i m receiving this error .
‘slmgr.vbs’ is not recognized as an internal or external command,
operate program or batch file.
what if u don’t have an activation key. what do u do
i m receiving this error .
‘slmgr.vbs’ is not recognized as an internal or external command,
operate program or batch file.