The new key should become active with the next startup. Once the active license key has been changed successfully, restart your computer.Note: Keep in mind that *Windows key* is simply a placeholder. Once you’re inside the elevated Command Prompt, type the following commands (press Enter after each one) to change the used license key to the correct one: slmgr /ipk.Running Command Prompt as an administrator When you’re prompted by the UAC (User Account Control) window, click Yes to grant administrative privileges. Then, type “cmd” and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open up a Run dialog box. Press Windows key + R to open up a Run dialog box.Here’s a quick guide through the whole thing: If this scenario is applicable to your particular situation, you will be able to fix the problem by running a series of commands inside an elevated Command Prompt. Once the process is complete, the OS will still try to activate with the key stored on your BIOS. This is fairly common in instances where the user buys a pre-activate Windows computer and then resets it. If you get the 0x80041023 error while trying to activate a Windows 10 Pro key, it’s very likely that the problem is caused by the fact that the BIOS on your computer still has the Windows Home key. Regardless of the scenario in which you encounter the 0x80041023 activation error code, you should be able to follow some steps that will resolve the issue (as long as your Windows 10 license key is valid). Down below, you’ll find two methods that other users in the same situation have successfully used to get the issue resolved.įor the best results, we advise you to follow the potential fixes in the same order that we arranged them in. If you’re currently struggling to get past this error code and activate your genuine Windows 10 license, this article will provide you with a couple of troubleshooting steps.

The correct way to do it, in this case, is to use SLMGR to activate and override the old key. If you’re trying to activate you’re OS, you won’t be able to do it conventionally. Windows is trying to use the BIOS stored key – Another likely possibility is that the BIOS on your computer still has the Windows Home key.If this scenario is applicable, consult the ‘Upgrading OEM Licenses’ section for information on avoiding the error code. OEM license can’t be activated – If you have an OEM license, then you will not be able to use the activation key in case you upgraded from an older version.

Windows 10 oem coa