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Microsoft confirms Windows activation failures after November updates
BleepingComputer • • general
Key Points:
- Microsoft confirmed that this month's Patch Tuesday updates are causing Windows activation and licensing failures with error code 0x80041008, affecting organizations automating activation or using the SLMGR command-line tool.
- The issue impacts commands related to activating Windows, configuring Key Management Service (KMS), and managing product keys on Windows 10, 11, and Server editions, but devices already activated or properly configured with KMS client keys are unaffected.
- Activation errors occur after running 'slmgr.vbs /skms-domain' and 'slmgr.vbs /ipk' commands, primarily affecting devices relying on KMS activation that may remain activated for up to 180 days post-activation.
- Microsoft plans to release a fix soon and recommends affected organizations seeking immediate help contact Microsoft Support for business assistance.
- This follows a similar activation issue in January, where devices failed to register with the Windows Activation server during license migration upgrades.
