▷ How to fix error 0x8007007B when activating Windows 10

Error 0x8007007B occurs when users try to activate their Windows operating system. It will occur mainly on Windows 10, but it can also appear when upgrading to Windows 10 from Windows 7 o Windows 8.1.

This error usually appears when users install Windows using volume licensed media. The error message will appear later when the user tries to insert the license key. You may see error 0x8007007B in different shapes and sizes. Then, a list of the most common occurrences is displayed:

• Windows cannot be activated at this time.
• Windows activation error 10 0x8007007B
• Error code 0x8007007B. The name of the file, the directory name or volume label syntax is incorrect.
• Activation error: Code 0x8007007B.
• Contact your system administrator to obtain a product key. Error code: 0x8007007B
• There was a problem when Windows tried to activate. Error code 0x8007007B

Most of the time, the problem will occur when the activation wizard cannot connect to the Key Management Service (KMS). This is a known bug that occurs with Windows 10 (compilation 10240) and some later builds. If this is the cause of your problem, you can easily fix it by changing the product key to a MAK (Multiple activation key).

However, you may also see this problem due to corrupted system files preventing the activation wizard from connecting to the KMS server. This can also be corrected by running a system file checker to repair system errors.

There is also a third scenario that is also the most unpleasant. If you bought a used PC with a pre-installed version of Windows, there is a possibility that it was activated illegally. The problem dates back to when Microsoft offered free Windows updates 10 for Windows users 7 and Windows 8.1. At the time, there was a KMS exploit that allowed many users with hacked versions of Windows to upgrade and become legal. After a while, Microsoft blew up the rogue KMS server and remotely deactivated the licenses that benefited from it. If error 0x8007007B appeared after Windows automatically applied a security update, had no choice but to buy a new license code.

Up to now, There have been two successful methods that allowed users to clear error 0x8007007B. If you are sure that your Windows Product Key is legitimate, follow the method 1 to use MAK instead of KMS. If the first method fails, use Method 2 to run a system file checker on your settings that will repair possible system errors.

Note: The above methods assume that you have legitimately purchased a Windows license key.

Method 1: use of multiple activation keys instead of the key management service

There is a situation where KMS activation will not work properly for various reasons. When there is no KMS server to work with, Microsoft recommends that the product key be changed to a MAK. If the problem was related to the KMS server, following the steps below, error code 0x8007007B will be cleared and Windows will be activated. This is what you have to do:

1. Click the Windows icon in the lower left corner and type cmd. Later, right-click Command Prompt and click Run as administrator.

   

2. If you have a password, you will be prompted to enter it at this time.

3. At the command prompt, type slmgr -ipk followed by your product key. The product code is an alphanumeric code of 25 digits. Make sure your license is valid and remember to use hyphens every 5 characters to divide the key into five sections. The end result should look like this:

   slmgr -ipk xxxxx – xxxxx – xxxxx – xxxxx – xxxxx

   

   Note: The X placeholder represents your product key.

4. Check the key for typing errors and press Enter to send the key. After a few seconds, You should see a Windows Host Script pop-up informing you that the product key has been successfully installed and activated.

   

Method 2: Run the System File Checker

If error 0x8007007B is caused by corrupted system files preventing your Windows license key from being activated, run the System File Checker (SFC) will automatically solve the problem. If everything goes fine, you can activate your windows without the error message. This is what you have to do:

1. Click the Windows icon in the lower left corner and type cmd. Later, right-click Command Prompt and click Run as administrator.

   Note: You may be asked to enter a password if you have one.

2. Type sfc / scannow and hit Enter.

   Note: put a space between sfc and / scannow. Otherwise, you will get an unregistered command error.

   

3. Wait until the setup finishes checking your system. If the scan succeeds in identifying the corruption associated with 0x8007007b, damaged files will be repaired automatically.

4. Reboot your machine and try to activate your Windows again.

The above methods should work to allow you to activate Windows and remove the error 0x8007007b. If you still have this problem, confirm that your license code is still valid. If so, you should contact Microsoft immediately. If the license is valid but does not work on your PC, you will be granted a new product key.