License key watermark on windows 10 with no reinstall or hardware changes

Question

License key watermark on windows 10 with no reinstall or hardware changes

M Vick 0

This computer has been operational for many years and suddenly is requesting a license key. We don't know how to proceed from here. It is a windows 10 pro.

20260917_165211

20260917_165226

The third error code when trying to enter a product key is "0xc0000022"

Restarting the computer briefly (~5 hrs) makes the license watermark go away.

Neil D 34,295 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-09-17T21:22:59.63+00:00

The last 5 characters showing in your screenshot are from a generic product key. This cannot be used to activate windows without a valid licence.

Did you make any changes to windows or the hardware recently.

Where did the licence you have originate. Was it part of the free upgrade from Windows 7/8.
M Vick 0 Reputation points

2026-09-17T21:29:56.61+00:00

I honestly don't remember where the license key came from as we have had the computer at least 10 years. It is strange that it doesn't have the watermark after rebooting until a few hours later.
M Vick 0 Reputation points

2026-09-19T00:21:30.6466667+00:00

We built the computer many years ago and I tried to enter the key I found in our paperwork but it gave the 0xc0000022 error code. I am wondering if the issue isn't the license key but something else with the auth service or something since we have never had this issue before in over 10 years.
Neil D 34,295 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-09-19T10:12:10.6133333+00:00

If you have a product key from the original paperwork the get ShowKeyPlus from the windows Store. enter your key at Check edition in the app.

What are the details of the licence?

1 answer

Your answer

Neil D 34,295 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-09-17T21:22:59.63+00:00

The last 5 characters showing in your screenshot are from a generic product key. This cannot be used to activate windows without a valid licence.

Did you make any changes to windows or the hardware recently.

Where did the licence you have originate. Was it part of the free upgrade from Windows 7/8.
M Vick 0 Reputation points

2026-09-17T21:29:56.61+00:00

I honestly don't remember where the license key came from as we have had the computer at least 10 years. It is strange that it doesn't have the watermark after rebooting until a few hours later.
M Vick 0 Reputation points

2026-09-19T00:21:30.6466667+00:00

We built the computer many years ago and I tried to enter the key I found in our paperwork but it gave the 0xc0000022 error code. I am wondering if the issue isn't the license key but something else with the auth service or something since we have never had this issue before in over 10 years.
Neil D 34,295 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-09-19T10:12:10.6133333+00:00

If you have a product key from the original paperwork the get ShowKeyPlus from the windows Store. enter your key at Check edition in the app.

What are the details of the licence?

Answer 1

Hi,

Please let me know if you can start the Software Protection service. To do so, open Command Prompt admin and run this command:

net start sppsvc

Also, share your Farbar scan logs for analysis.

Download Farbar Recovery Scan Tool 64-bit FRST64.exe
If the OS language is not English, rename FRST64.exe to FRST64English.exe.
Run the program. Don't check or uncheck any options. Click "Scan".
Add the two logs, FRST.txt and Addition.txt, to a zip archive.
Share the zip file on OneDrive or GoFile.io, and post the link here.

Note: If Microsoft Edge or Chrome mislabels the Farbar Scanner executable as PUA/malware, choose to keep it by tapping … in the bottom bar, choosing Keep, and then choosing Keep anyway in the dialog that appears. See this screenshot. It's a safe tool used in most antimalware forums.