Retail version contains USB drive not DVD disk.
Please run command prompt, type slmgr /dlv command and show a screenshot of appeared window.
"Activate Windows" watermark suddenly appeared on my PC
![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(131.20000000000002, 63%, 22%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3EFW%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Felix Wagner
20
Reputation points
Hi,
Since 2 days ago, the "Activate Windows" watermark appears on my PC, usually an hour or two after turning it on.
The license product key was purchased at a retailer, not digitally in the MS store.
In the activation system settings, it says that the status is "Not active", and the error code 0xC004F012 is displayed.
I located the BackupProductKeyDefault here in the Registry Editor: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SoftwareProtectionPlatform
When trying to enter that key via "change product key" in the settings, it doesn't work and gives me the error 0xc0000022
Has anyone encountered this, or is familiar with a fix?
Thanks,
Felix
Windows for home | Windows 11 | Licensing and activation
Answer accepted by question author
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![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(256, 10%, 34%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3EIL%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Igor Leyko 107.6K Reputation points Independent Advisor2025-12-04T21:05:07.9733333+00:00 -
Felix Wagner 20 Reputation points
2025-12-04T21:57:48.3866667+00:00 It may have been a USB drive, I don't remember unfortunately. :(
When running slmgr /dlv, I get the following window:
When I run what's said there, I just get this:
I did run the Command Prompt as Admin
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![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(204.8, 96%, 29%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3END%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Neil D 29,975 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator2025-12-04T22:04:03.3466667+00:00 That's why I'm thinking your installation may need a repair.
Go to Settings > System > Recovery > Fix problems using windows update and select Reinstall now.
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Felix Wagner 20 Reputation points
2025-12-04T22:32:04.7366667+00:00 This has actually fixed it, thank you very much!
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6 additional answers
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Igor Leyko 107.6K Reputation points Independent Advisor
2025-12-04T20:15:40.4066667+00:00 Unfair sellers may sell pirated keys including keys from corporate licenses. Low price is a good indicator of such swindling.
How did you purchase upgrade from Home to pro?
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Felix Wagner 20 Reputation points
2025-12-04T20:19:06.6766667+00:00 It was purchased from one of the best-renowned retailers in Germany for anything PC-related, so I highly doubt it was pirated. It was retailed for the standard price.
I never purchased an upgrade from Home to Pro, I just had the Windows 10 Home license, and I updated to Windows 11 once it was available.
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Igor Leyko 107.6K Reputation points Independent Advisor
2025-12-04T20:26:34.07+00:00 Please show Activation page of Settings and the result of slmgr /dlv command.
What exactly did you get as a confirmation of license purchase?
Was your PC repaired by some third-party person?
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Felix Wagner 20 Reputation points
2025-12-04T20:50:02.93+00:00 Running the command gives me the same error message: 0xc0000022.
I don't fully remember, but I'm pretty sure it was in a disc-case type box from MS.
The PC was never repaired by any third-party person
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