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My PC randomly and repeatedly makes me reactivate my windows install. This has been happening for about two months, last hardware change was over a year ago, current install is about 3 years old.
The "activate your copy" watermark repeatedly shows up on my computer. The frequency can vary from a few hours to a few days but most of the time it is every 8 -12 hours. My windows install is genuine and has been for years. Every time I "troubleshoot activation" the watermark clears and i get a popup stating my copy is now activated with a digital license. (?) it always has been. The "troubleshooter" gives no explanation and just closes.
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Hello,
We can try running some diagnostics to see if there is something recorded that will give us more information about what is happening.
Open an elevated CMD prompt.
Run: C:\Windows\System32>licensingdiag actdiag.cab
Post the cab file this contains activation diagnostics information.
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🙋🏻♂️🤓I have some ideas that might help you Solution 1: Use a simple Windows file scanning tool. Visit as administrator, type sfc /scannow and press Enter. Wait for the copying process to finish, then restart your computer. Solution 2: Check your BIOS or UEFI settings. Restart your computer and press the appropriate key to use BIOS (such as F2 or Delete). Make sure the settings are set correctly, then save the changes and restart your computer.🙆🏻♂️🙆🏻♂️
Darrell:
I ran the command and got this return:
Error processing arguments.
Error code 0x80070057
SYPOR:
I don't want to sound obnoxious or stubborn but i have done all of that with no errors found. The "Activate Windows" watermark only appears after a windows update. I step thru the activation troubleshooter and it clears the watermark, temporarily. It will come back after a random amount of time has passed, it could be as little as 2 hours or long as several days, most of the time it is somewhere between 8 - 12 hours.
Here's the catch, if i "postpone" updates it will go away until the next time I allow updates. It only happens when I allow Windows to update, no other time. I keep the updates current for the once a month I allow the updates to apply, pause updates, then I play the Activation game for a few days and wait for the watermark to not reappear.
Device name Ryzen
Processor AMD Ryzen 7 5800X 8-Core Processor 3.80 GHz
Installed RAM 32.0 GB
Device ID 0D982EDF-2CF2-44AD-A414-A8713A6D0AA3
Product ID 00326-10000-00000-AA994
System type 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
Pen and touch No pen or touch input is available for this display
Edition Windows 10 Home
Version 22H2
Installed on 9/19/2021
OS build 19045.4780
Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.19060.1000.0
Hello,
With the output I was wanting to see the event log entries for Security-SPP to see if they gave any indication as to why activation was being triggered
Darrell,
I don't know why I didn't think of that, frustrated or lazy I never thought to look. Anyhow, so much red, many software/OS/driver errors for hypervisor, virtual disk, NetBT, WLAN, secure boot, and many other things, but no hardware errors. I don't run any virtual machines or special network protocols, just a vanilla Win10 install with all the bloat uninstalled. Guess I'm gonna wipe it and reinstall.
Thanks
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Hello,
Do you have a legitimate license or product key? Are you using license activation?
Follow these steps to find out if Windows 10 is activated:
Select the Start button, and then select Settings> Update & Security > activation.
Can you provide a screenshot of "activate your copy" watermark？
Besides, you can refer to this link:
Best Regards,
Hania Lian
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Yes, legitimate license with a digital key 5+ years.