Windows 11 Pro Digital License Suddenly Deactivated After 4 Years — 0xC004C003 on Previously Activated Device

Question

Windows 11 Pro Digital License Suddenly Deactivated After 4 Years — 0xC004C003 on Previously Activated Device

Karthik-0522 0

I have been using Windows 11 Pro on my laptop for approximately four years. The laptop originally came with Windows 10 Home, I purchased Windows 10 Pro from Microsoft Store.

I was able to upgrade to Windows 11 Pro through routine windows updates, as I was eligible for 10 Pro to 11 Pro upgrade.

My PC had successfully upgraded to Windows 11 Pro which continued to work for approximately four years. I have not replaced the motherboard or transferred the license to another device. The device is still associated with my Microsoft account.

Approximately around August 13th (Midnight) or August 14th (Early morning) IST (Indian Standard Time) and Windows 11 Pro suddenly became inactive. Windows now reports that the product key cannot be used for activation, with error 0xC004C003.

I also ran the Windows Activation Troubleshooter. I don't understand how the troubleshooter identifies my PC as Windows 11 Home Single Language digital license associated with my Microsoft account/device, rather than recognizing the Windows 11 Pro digital license that I purchased and had been using successfully for approximately four years.

My Microsoft Account online, correctly recognizes my PC and accurately shows the OS Build and also the operating system as Windows 11 Professional.

I have already tried the following troubleshooting steps:

Checked the activation status in Windows Settings.
Ran the Windows Activation Troubleshooter.
Verified that Windows is installed as Windows 11 Pro.
Verified that the Software Protection service is running.
Tried the SLUI 4 phone activation option, but no activation window appears.
Checked the Microsoft account associated with the device.
Verified that I have the original Microsoft Store purchase invoice/order history for the Windows 10/11 Pro purchase.

I also investigated recent Windows updates because the activation problem appeared unexpectedly. The relevant updates were removed/reinstalled during troubleshooting, including KB5120708 and KB5121003, and the system was rebooted, but the underlying activation problem remained under investigation. And subsequently I have upgraded once again to have these upgrades installed on my PC.

What I am trying to understand is why a genuine Windows Pro purchase that was activated and working for approximately four years is no longer being recognized as a valid Windows 11 Pro Digital License.

The Activation Troubleshooter appears to see a Home Single Language digital license, while the installed Windows edition is 11 Pro and the system previously had a valid Pro activation.

I have also contacted Microsoft Support regarding this issue. The support agents reviewed the activation problem and acknowledged that the situation appears to be related to the license/activation entitlement rather than a normal product-key entry issue. Further they mentioned that this activation issue has affected many other users as well and assured me that Microsoft is working to provide a Fix to the issue.

Could Microsoft please explain how the Windows 11 Pro Digital License associated with my Microsoft account/purchase is returning 0xC004C003 while trying to Activate and no longer recognizing the Windows 11 Pro license?

Please help !!

Neil D 34,915 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-08-21T08:41:42.28+00:00

You can use ShowKeyPlus from the windows Store to verify the licence status. Please post a screenshot of the result in the app but hide any full product keys by clicking the key. (the last 5 character will remain)
Karthik-0522 0 Reputation points

2026-08-21T18:54:12.04+00:00

Hello Neil,

As requested, I installed ShowKeyPlus from the Microsoft Store and attached the screenshot. The product keys have been partially masked for security. The screenshot shows Windows 11 Pro installed, while the OEM edition is Win 10 Core Single Language OEM:DM. ShowKeyPlus also indicates that the installed key is a default key requiring a digital license for activation.

I am looking forward to Microsoft solving these bugs and do the needful without much further delays.
Neil D 34,915 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-08-22T09:11:21.9266667+00:00

Looking at the screenshot it confirms the original licence was for Home edition and now it has Pro edition. The Home licence is from the device manufacturer (OEM) and Pro is a digital licence from the windows Store, so shows the generic key.

When you used the Activation Troubleshooter did you select I changed hardware. even though you haven't) does it show the Pro licence?

If not your only option is to contact Microsoft support directly. Use the Get Help app and search the phrase billing then select Contact Support at the bottom of the window. There will be a couple more filters to select then you should see the option chat with an agent in your browser.

As you have the Pro upgrade they should be able to see that on your account.
Karthik-0522 0 Reputation points

2026-08-22T09:42:28.0566667+00:00

Hi Neil,

Thanks for the reply.

Yes, I tried the "Activation Troubleshooter and yes I did select the changed hardware option (even though I didn't change any) , it hasn't helped. It says the below, which I can't quite understand, how this is even possible.

*We can’t find any devices linked to your Microsoft account that can be used for reactivating the device you’re using right now. Make sure you’re signed in with the same Microsoft account you linked to the Windows 10 digital license on this device or try again later.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*
It's quite unbelievable. Because it's the same Microsoft account which was used to purchase the Pro license. This is the same account which shows my PC, the OS installed, the build information etc. My account shows Windows 11 Pro, as well. (The laptop originally came with Windows 10 Home, I purchased Windows 10/11 Pro from Microsoft Store (I have the invoice), and then upgraded to 11 Pro, through normal windows upgrade)

Even the Microsoft Support agents aren't really helpful. All they get to is either an in-place upgrade or custom installation.

Am I missing something? I am quite lost actually !!
Neil D 34,915 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-08-22T15:47:18.9+00:00

No you are not missing anything.

I think the problem is server side and could well be something to do with the updates. However there is nothing we can do here it is only direct Microsoft support that can see the purchase on your account and issue a licence to fix it.

Just as a note the fact you can see the device on your account does not have a record on whether it is activated or not, that record is stored elsewhere.

On the off chance there is some corruption in the activation status you can try recovery in settings.

Settings > System > Recovery > Fix problems using windows update, select Reinstall now. The process can take a while but if your device has a problem that should fix it.
Karthik-0522 0 Reputation points

2026-08-22T19:45:06.5133333+00:00
Hi Neil,

Thank you for your response !

I have shown Microsoft Support the invoice of my purchase, and shown them through the "Quick Assist" screen sharing and explained to them many times. Even upon checking the purchase invoice, why can't Microsoft Support fix it. Yes I understand that Microsoft account doesn't say "activated", but it does show "Professional" term, which should mean it was activated.

I will try the method you suggested, and when I saw there are two options

Fix problems without resetting the PC

What you have suggested.

Now I think, I could have seen this! I admit! But Microsoft support should have known this, since they are the official support. They often want to resort to the last option, which I understand obviously needs to be done, if there is no other choice.

I will try your suggestion and will get back to you on this.

Regards
Karthik
Neil D 34,915 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-08-23T09:13:10.8+00:00

The option I suggested is :
Karthik-0522 0 Reputation points

2026-11-13T07:59:03.3633333+00:00

Hi Neil

Thanks for all your help. Issue finally resolved. First level support level should raise it to next level.

Thanks for all your help.

Regards
Karthik

Answer accepted by question author

0 additional answers

Your answer

Neil D 34,915 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-08-21T08:41:42.28+00:00

You can use ShowKeyPlus from the windows Store to verify the licence status. Please post a screenshot of the result in the app but hide any full product keys by clicking the key. (the last 5 character will remain)
Karthik-0522 0 Reputation points

2026-08-21T18:54:12.04+00:00

Hello Neil,

As requested, I installed ShowKeyPlus from the Microsoft Store and attached the screenshot. The product keys have been partially masked for security. The screenshot shows Windows 11 Pro installed, while the OEM edition is Win 10 Core Single Language OEM:DM. ShowKeyPlus also indicates that the installed key is a default key requiring a digital license for activation.

I am looking forward to Microsoft solving these bugs and do the needful without much further delays.
Neil D 34,915 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-08-22T09:11:21.9266667+00:00

Looking at the screenshot it confirms the original licence was for Home edition and now it has Pro edition. The Home licence is from the device manufacturer (OEM) and Pro is a digital licence from the windows Store, so shows the generic key.

When you used the Activation Troubleshooter did you select I changed hardware. even though you haven't) does it show the Pro licence?

If not your only option is to contact Microsoft support directly. Use the Get Help app and search the phrase billing then select Contact Support at the bottom of the window. There will be a couple more filters to select then you should see the option chat with an agent in your browser.

As you have the Pro upgrade they should be able to see that on your account.
Karthik-0522 0 Reputation points

2026-08-22T09:42:28.0566667+00:00

Hi Neil,

Thanks for the reply.

Yes, I tried the "Activation Troubleshooter and yes I did select the changed hardware option (even though I didn't change any) , it hasn't helped. It says the below, which I can't quite understand, how this is even possible.

*We can’t find any devices linked to your Microsoft account that can be used for reactivating the device you’re using right now. Make sure you’re signed in with the same Microsoft account you linked to the Windows 10 digital license on this device or try again later.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*
It's quite unbelievable. Because it's the same Microsoft account which was used to purchase the Pro license. This is the same account which shows my PC, the OS installed, the build information etc. My account shows Windows 11 Pro, as well. (The laptop originally came with Windows 10 Home, I purchased Windows 10/11 Pro from Microsoft Store (I have the invoice), and then upgraded to 11 Pro, through normal windows upgrade)

Even the Microsoft Support agents aren't really helpful. All they get to is either an in-place upgrade or custom installation.

Am I missing something? I am quite lost actually !!
Neil D 34,915 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-08-22T15:47:18.9+00:00

No you are not missing anything.

I think the problem is server side and could well be something to do with the updates. However there is nothing we can do here it is only direct Microsoft support that can see the purchase on your account and issue a licence to fix it.

Just as a note the fact you can see the device on your account does not have a record on whether it is activated or not, that record is stored elsewhere.

On the off chance there is some corruption in the activation status you can try recovery in settings.

Settings > System > Recovery > Fix problems using windows update, select Reinstall now. The process can take a while but if your device has a problem that should fix it.
Karthik-0522 0 Reputation points

2026-08-22T19:45:06.5133333+00:00

Hi Neil,

Thank you for your response !

I have shown Microsoft Support the invoice of my purchase, and shown them through the "Quick Assist" screen sharing and explained to them many times. Even upon checking the purchase invoice, why can't Microsoft Support fix it. Yes I understand that Microsoft account doesn't say "activated", but it does show "Professional" term, which should mean it was activated.

I will try the method you suggested, and when I saw there are two options

Fix problems without resetting the PC

What you have suggested.

Now I think, I could have seen this! I admit! But Microsoft support should have known this, since they are the official support. They often want to resort to the last option, which I understand obviously needs to be done, if there is no other choice.

I will try your suggestion and will get back to you on this.

Regards
Karthik
Neil D 34,915 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-08-23T09:13:10.8+00:00

The option I suggested is :
Karthik-0522 0 Reputation points

2026-11-13T07:59:03.3633333+00:00

Hi Neil

Thanks for all your help. Issue finally resolved. First level support level should raise it to next level.

Thanks for all your help.

Regards
Karthik

Answer 1

Thoura Sopheak Nanta 660

Hi @Karthik-0522

Around mid-August 2026, some devices began showing 0xC004C003 activation error, this is not a problem on your side, it's the problem on the activation server's side. Which caused the Activation Troubleshooter incorrectly reported a Home Single Language entitlement, even though the system was installed and previously activated as Pro.

You can try going to Settings > System > Activation, change your product key to VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T (This is a generic edition upgrade keys, not product keys, they are used to switch editions) which is for Windows 11 pro, this should try to reactivate Windows using your linked Windows 11 pro license to your Microsoft account.

If that doesn't work, the only thing you can do now is press Win + F and submit feedback, Microsoft support internally acknowledges the issue, all we can do is wait for the next patch.

Hope to hear back from you!

Best regards,

Nanta

Karthik-0522 0 Reputation points

2026-08-21T19:01:02.6933333+00:00

Hi Nanta

Thanks for taking out some time and sharing your advice. I have tried this, but it does not work. I am hoping Microsoft resolves these issues very soon.

I do believe that, even though they may acknowledge the issue, but as customers we would certainly be at some sort of mental peace, had they come out with official communication about this matter. It will really help with the general public's perception of Microsoft.

An official confirmation and communication from Microsoft and a tentative timeline for resolution is not too big of an ask. :)

Regards
Karthik
Karthik-0522 0 Reputation points

2026-11-13T07:50:51.1866667+00:00

Reaching out to the highest level of Microsoft Support will only help. First level support should identify and confirm with their next level to filter out genuine cases. It's resolved now.

Thanks.