Why cannot I activate Windows 8? Windows cannot activate solution

You have updated Windows 8.1 or Windows 8, but have not installed Windows of the previous or correct version (error 0xC004F061)

If the error 0xC004F061 is displayed when you try to activate Windows 8.1 or Windows 8, this indicates that one of the following conditions exists:

You are using the product key to update to Windows 8.1 or Windows 8, but the previous version of Windows has not been installed on your computer. To update, you must have installed Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, or Windows XP on your computer.

If you format or change the hard drive, you cannot use the product key to update to Windows 8.1 or Windows 8. You need to first install the previous version of Windows, and then reinstall Windows 8.1 or Windows 8.

You are trying to install Windows 8.1 Professional or Windows 8 professional, but you have installed Windows 8.1 Professional or Windows 8 professional on your computer. To upgrade your version, you need to install Windows 8.1 Media Center Pack or Windows 8 Media Center Pack.

You are trying to install Windows 8.1 Media Center Pack or Windows 8 Media Center Pack, but your computer does not run Windows 8.1 Professional or Windows 8 professional. To upgrade your version, you must first install the Windows 8.1 Professional or Windows 8 Professional Pack.

If you cannot install the purchased Feature Pack, contact the support staff for details about how to add the feature. For more information, see add feature: FAQs.

Other versions of Windows or product keys may be used during the repair process.

If you have taken your computer to a repair shop or to someone who has assembled and repaired it, you may have used another version of Windows to complete the repairs. Or, if another product key is used for your computer, when the number of computers using the key is greater than the number of computers allowed in the Microsoft software license terms, this key may be disabled.

If Windows is activated before fixing or recreating a computer, re-entering the product key attached to the original copy of the computer or Windows may solve the problem. You can also try to reinstall the original Windows version.

A Windows copy may have been installed on multiple computers (error 0xC004C008)

If you have a copy of Windows and have installed it on multiple computers, activation may not work because the product key is already used on other computers, or the number of computers using the product key is greater than the number of computers allowed in the Microsoft software license terms. Generally, most Windows replicas follow the rule that one copy can only be installed on one computer.

If the number of computers using the product key is greater than the number of computers allowed in the Microsoft software license terms, you will need to purchase a product key or a copy of Windows for each computer to activate these computers.

Pirated software

If you have a copy of a pirated Windows that is not published and authorized by Microsoft, activation does not work because Microsoft will not be able to establish a matching relationship between the computer's hardware configuration file and the 25-character product key.

The How to Tell Web page on the Microsoft website helps you determine whether your Windows copy is pirated. If yes, you may need to purchase a new copy of Windows.

Used computers

If you have purchased a second-hand computer with Windows installed, the number of computers using the product key may be greater than the number of computers allowed in the Microsoft software license terms.

You may need to ask for the original Windows DVD and product key from the seller selling your second-hand computer. If you do not have the original DVDs and product keys, or if you have tried them but still cannot activate them, you may need to purchase a new key or a copy of Windows.

Hardware changes

If you have changed the physical hardware of your computer, such as replacing the hard disk or motherboard, contact the support staff to activate Windows by phone.