[Solved!] Error code: 0xc004c003

The following article reviews the causes, effects and solutions of Error Code 0xc004c003, including tips on how to avoid the error from occurring after Windows installation.

Windows is a globally renowned operating system, adopted by a vast majority of personal computers. One error a user may face during an upgrade to Windows 10 is the Error Code 0xc004c003. This article will talk about this Windows activation error, covering the causes, solutions and tips to avoid the error.

Windows 10 devices with the January 2021 non-security preview, or a later version, may experience the Error Code 0xc004c003, causing Windows activation failures. If you are concerned about getting rid of this error, just read this article thoroughly. We have divided this article into three parts:

Part 1: Causes

Part 2: Solutions

Part 3: Tips and Tricks

Part 1: Causes

The error usually occurs when one attempts to activate the Windows operating system using an OEM Activation 3.0 (OA3) digital product key. In other words, the error occurs when a licensing code component tries to gain access to the registry without appropriate access. The resulting error causes the product key to be incorrectly extracted.

Other reasons for this error include busy servers, expired invitation keys, blocked activation keys, hardware change and Windows reinstallation. 0xc004c003 can also occur if the product key isn’t valid. Sometimes, the error can occur due to an incorrect upgrade to Windows 10. Expired invitation keys, i.e. if the free upgrade version is expired, can also cause the error to occur.

Another reason for this error is hardware change. Windows licenses are related to hardware and replacing a part in the PC, or making any sort of hardware change, can trigger the error, stopping the Windows license from recognizing the PC. In addition, reinstalling Windows instead of upgrading the previously installed Windows can cause error 0xc004c003 as the license for the previous Windows gets deleted.

Part 2: Solutions

1. Reset PC/ Computer

The resetting method deleted all files located in the drive so it is important to back them up before resetting. Follow the step below to reset:

Step 1: Go to the Start icon, right-click and open the Settings tab.

Step 2: Select ‘Update and Security’.

Step 3: Select the Recovery option and click on ‘Reset the PC’.

2. The ‘slmgr.vbs’ Command

In some cases, Windows fails to recognize and activate a license due to server issues. In this case, you can activate the system by using the slmgr.vbs command, also known as the Command Prompt (CMD).

Step 1: Click on the Start Menu and search for the ‘Command prompt’.

Step 2: Right-click on the prompt and select the ‘Run as an administrator’ to begin the prompt with administrator rights.

Step 3: Type the command ‘slmgr.vbs –rearm’.

Step 4: Click ‘Ok’ to reboot the PC when the activation is successful.

3. In-Place Upgrade

Performing an in-place upgrade is a great way to upgrade to a new version of Windows without losing your files, settings and applications. To use this method, do the following:

Step 1: Downgrade to the previous version of Windows, and install all necessary updates for Windows 10.

Step 2: Make sure that the current version of Windows is activated.

Step 3: Download the Microsoft Media Creation Tool and run the software.

Step 4: Select ‘Upgrade this PC now’.

Step 5: The tool will proceed to download and install necessary files for the upgrade and show a list of files so the user can select which ones they wish to keep.

Step 6: To make changes, select ‘Change what to keep’.

Step 7: Save any open files and click ‘Install’ once ready.

Step 8: Wait for the process to complete. It will take a while and several reboots may occur before the update is completed.

4. System File Checker (SFC) Tool

An SFC tool is used to analyze and identify potentially corrupt files and solve those issues. Here’s how it’s done:

Step 1: Log in as an administrator.

Step 2: Right-click on the ‘Start’ icon.

Step 3: Type ‘sfc/scannow’ and hit ‘Enter’.

Step 4: The tool will repair any corrupted files and show a message stating that system files have been repaired.

Step 5: Reboot the computer and check if the issue persists.

5. Reinstall Windows

You can fix the error 0xc004c003 by reinstalling the Windows currently in use before upgrading. To perform the procedure, follow these steps:

Step 1: Insert the installation CD.

Step 2: Go to BIOS settings and set the ‘boot drive priority’ to ‘CD/DVD’.

Step 3: Install Windows.

Step 4: Ensure that the installed Windows is activated and begin with the upgrade.

Step 5: Download and install the necessary updates.

6. Clean Booting

The clean boot procedure allows the user control over what applications are allowed to run at startup. This enables them to isolate the issue and successfully install the system update. Follow these steps to perform the clean boot:

Step 1: Log in as an administrator.

Step 2: Click on ‘Start’ and type ‘msconfig’.

Step 3: Choose ‘System Configuration’.

Step 4: Select the checkbox next to ‘Hide all Microsoft Services’ on the Services tab and click on ‘Disable all’.

Part 3: Tips and Tricks

1. Ensure that you have a stable internet connection before upgrading to Windows 10.
2. Ensure that you have a valid activation key.
3. Ensure that the BIOS system is updated to avoid problems during the upgrade.
4. If you have a free invitation key, ensure that it is still valid (i.e. not expired).
5. If you recently replaced any hardware in your PC, contact Microsoft before upgrading your Windows to avoid problems during installation.

The above-given methods will help you troubleshoot the Windows activation error 0xc004c003 and allow you to install Windows 10 with ease. While some manual solutions may sound difficult, follow the steps given above for a straightforward fix that does not require prior computer knowledge. You can also follow the above-given tips and tricks to avoid the error from occurring at all.