Some Windows 10 users have been facing issues when trying to activate their copy of the operating system. And this problem was not restricted to only those who upgraded from Windows 8.1 or Windows 7 to Windows 10, but even those who may have clean-installed. When attempts were made, users typically received a We can’t activate Windows on this device right now message.
To address this issue, Microsoft has released a Windows 10 Activation Troubleshooter, that will, identify, troubleshoot and fix your Activation errors & issues automatically.
Windows 10 Activation Troubleshooter
The Windows Activation Troubleshooter will help you address most commonly encountered activation issues on Genuine Windows devices including those caused by hardware changes.
If you cannot activate Windows 10, open Settings > Update & security and click on the Activation link in the left panel. Next, click on the Troubleshoot link.
The Windows Activation troubleshooter will open and try, inter alia, to fix the following issues.
- You have a digital license for Windows 10 Pro, but Windows 10 Home is installed
- You have a digital license for Windows 10 Home, but Windows 10 Pro is installed
- You have a digital license for Windows, but it hasn’t been activated
- You recently made a significant hardware change.
One troubleshooting has completed, if it does not find any issues, it will inform you so.
If you have changed your hardware, you may want to click on the I changed hardware on this device recently for further suggestions.
If your device has a digital license or digital entitlement for Windows 10 Pro from a previously installed activated Windows 10 build but you accidentally re-installed Windows 10 Home on such a device, the troubleshooter will automatically guide you through upgrading to Windows 10 Pro and activate Windows.
The Troubleshoot option is available only if your copy of Windows 10 isn’t activated. Once you activate, the option disappears.
This troubleshooter can be used to fix activations issues. You must be signed in as an administrator to use this option.
Related reads:
- Activate Windows 10 free license after changing computer hardware
- Windows 10 suddenly deactivated itself after Update
- Windows 10 is activated but still keeps asking for Activation.

- Tags: Activation, Troubleshoot