When you upgrade to Windows 10, you may encounter the following error message: Because you do not have a valid digital license or product key, we cannot activate Windows on this device. Instead, go to the store and purchase genuine Windows. 0x803F7001 is the error code. The bug that causes Windows error code 0x803F7001 occurs when you first activate Windows 10 or upgrade from a previous version of Windows.
What Does Error Code 0x803f7001 Mean?
If you see error code 0x803f7001, your copy of Windows 10 isn’t registered in Microsoft’s database. The error occurs when Windows does not have a valid registration key for the device. There are several other possible causes for this Windows 10 Error Code:
- The system could not communicate with the Microsoft database because it did not have enough time.
- You haven’t even registered a Windows 10 license key.
- You’re running a fake version of Windows 10.
- SLUI encountered an error during activation.
- You significantly upgraded the system hardware, leading Windows to believe you are on an entirely new, unregistered machine.
- You attempted to download Windows 10 on a second machine, and this machine is no longer listed in the Microsoft database as active.
- A virus or other malware attack the Windows Registry.
- The Windows Registry contains an Error Code 0x803f7001.
- The operating system version is no longer current.
- The system drivers are either out of date or incorrectly installed.
If you have a forged copy of Windows 10, this error will persist until you purchase and activate a genuine copy of Windows 10.
How to Resolve the Error Code 0x803f7001 Windows 10 Activation Key
Try the following fixes in the next order until you can successfully use Windows 10:
Examine your internet connection.
To register the operating system, you must have a strong internet connection. In addition, allow enough time for the machine to communicate with the Microsoft database.
Register your Windows 10 license key again.
If you purchased a new PC with Windows 10 installed, the key would be either in a documentation file or on the computer case. It may be located somewhere on the underside of a laptop.
If you bought Windows 10 separately, the license code would be on the back of the physical packaging or inside an email if you bought Windows 10 digitally.
If you upgraded from Windows 8 or Windows 7, the registration key for Windows 10 is the same as it was for either operating system. If that doesn’t work, downgrade to the previous version of Windows, reactivate your key, and then try to upgrade to Windows 10 again. You can merely have one device registered to one Windows 10 product key at any time.
Scan the computer for malware.
Run a full security scan with Windows Defender or another free antivirus program.
Start Windows Update.
If possible, see for Windows updates to download any recent Microsoft patches that may resolve the issue of Error Code 0x803f7001.
Drivers should be updated.
Device drivers that are outdated can cause various errors, including error code 0x803f7001.
Wipe out the Windows Registry.
Use a free registry cleaner app to remove old and corrupted registry entries that may cause errors like Error Code 0x803f7001.
