Error: 0xC004F050 when you activate Windows 10 on a KMS host

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Tim Buntrock

Tim Buntrock is one of three enterprise administrators for the Active Directory service of a "global player" in the contact center business. He is a certified engineer for MCTS, MCITP, MCSA and MCPS.

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If you are trying to install your KMS key on a server with one of the above operating systems, you might run into the following error:

Error: 0xC004F050 The Software Licensing Service reported that the product key is invalid

The prerequisites

My guide assumes that your environment meets the following requirements:

• TCP port 1688 is open on the computer running the KMS host.
• At least 25 clients or 5 servers have contacted the KMS.
• An SRV record for your KMS exists on your DNS server.
• You have domain admin rights.

To activate Windows 10 on a KMS host running a previous Windows version, you can now follow the procedure below.

The fix

1. Install update KB3058168.
   This update enables the KMS for Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012, and Windows Server 2012 R2 to activate Windows 10 clients.
2. Get the right Windows 10 KMS key.
   1. Sign in to the Volume Licensing Service Center.
   2. On the top menu, click ­License – Relationship Summary.
   3. Click the Licensing ID for your active agreement.
   4. Select Product Keys and go to Agreement Details.
   5. For Windows Server 2012/R2, you have to use the Windows Srv 2012R2 DataCtr/Std KMS for Windows 10 key. For Windows 8/8.1, use the Windows 10 KMS key.
3. Install the KMS key on your KMS host.
   1. Open a command prompt and type the following command to install the key:
      slmgr.vbs /ipk <KmsSetupKey>
   2. Verify the key installation:
      slmgr.vbs /dlv
   3. Uninstall old keys:
      slmgr.vbs  /upk
   4. Activate Windows:
      slmgr.vbs /ato

See this article to get more information about slmgr.vbs.

Other errors

Error 0xc004f038, KMS count is below 25 for Windows client computers or less than five for Windows Server machines

Solution:

Not enough KMS clients exist for the KMS host. You can check if the client uses a non-VL key by typing the command slmgr.vbs /dlv. If no client reported to the KMS host, check if port TCP 1688 is open.

You can also check whether another KMS host exists on the network. To get a list, type the following command:

nslookup -type=all _vlmcs._tcp

Error 0xc004e003, The Software Licensing Service reports that the license evaluation failed

Solution:

Rename the tokens.dat file on the KMS host and create a new one with this command:

slmgr /rilc

Error: 0xC004F015 On a computer running Microsoft Windows non-core edition, run 'slui.exe 0x2a 0xC004F015' to display the error text

Solution:

You used a Windows 10 KMS key on a server OS. Use the Windows Srv 2012R2 DataCtr/Std KMS for Windows 10 key.