Frequently Asked Questions

Microsoft maintains a list of all activation errors and their meanings: Help with activation errors for Windows.

If you’re having trouble, please send us the error code, your order number, and a screenshot via the contact form.

You’ll usually see this error if the installed version of Windows doesn’t match the key you purchased. If you have a Windows 11 Pro OEM key, you must also have a fresh installation of Windows 11 Pro on your PC. Only then will activation be successful.

CD-Keys does not sell “N” versions of Windows. If there is an “N” after the name—such as Windows 11 Pro N—your code will not work on that installation. You can check your version under Settings, Platform, About.

1. Open the activation settings. In Windows 11: Settings, Platform, Activation. In Windows 10: Settings, Update & Security, Activation.
2. Click on "Troubleshoot." The troubleshooter automatically detects and resolves many error codes.
3. Check that your internet connection is working and that the date and time on your computer are correct.
4. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator and run these two commands one after the other. They repair corrupted platform files.sfc/scannowDISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
5. Restart your PC and try the activation again.

If Windows 11 Home was originally activated with an OEM key, a Windows 11 Pro Retail code may not be accepted right away.

1. First, perform an in-place upgrade from Windows 11 Home to Windows 11 Home using an genuine Windows 11 ISO from Microsoft.
2. Plus, you can keep your personal files and apps.
3. After this recovery installation, re-enter your Windows 11 Pro Retail code to upgrade to Pro.

In this video, you’ll see step-by-step instructions on how to resolve this issue.

Our keys are activated once on a device and are tied to the installation and configuration at that time. Different terms apply to some tied Microsoft codes; this will be indicated on the product page.

A key that worked previously may sometimes no longer be activatable later on. Possible causes:

• Changes to the hardware, such as a different motherboard or hard drive
• Reinstalling Windows or Office
• Major platform updates from Microsoft
• Changes to your user account or platform settings
• A different version or edition than the one originally installed
• Microsoft internal validation and activation mechanisms

These factors are beyond our control. After delivery and successful activation, a key cannot be reused on another installation; returns or refunds are not possible; and we cannot guarantee reactivation after changes to your platform.

What can you do? Check whether the correct version is installed, completely uninstall any old versions, and follow the instructions in your order confirmation email again. If the problem persists, a brand new key is usually the quickest solution in practice.

Choose OEM if you’re using Windows on a single, fixed PC. Choose Retail if you want to transfer the key to a brand new PC later.

We also offer Volume Licensing: keys sold in larger quantities to businesses, with additional management features.

The Home edition is sufficient for most home computers. The Pro edition adds features for security and management.

Windows Windows 11 requires newer hardware, including TPM 2.0 and a supported processor. You can use Microsoft’s PC Health Check app to verify whether your PC is compatible. Regular support for 10 ended in October 2025.

That depends on the type of key you purchased:

After placing your order, you’ll receive an order confirmation email with a generic upgrade code. At the very bottom, you’ll find your own Windows Pro activation code.

1. Disconnect from the internet.
2. Enter the generic code: VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T
3. You’re getting an error message. That’s normal.
4. Turn your internet back on and wait for the notification that the upgrade to Pro is starting.
5. Then activate the software using the code at the bottom of your order confirmation email.

Are you getting error code 0x803FA067? That means you used the generic code to activate the software. Please use the code at the bottom of your order confirmation email.

Windows Version 11 is available only in a 64-bit version.

Windows

• Explanation from Microsoft: How to remove Office from a PC
• Download the Windows removal tool

macos

• Explanation from Microsoft: How to Remove Key Files on a Mac
• Download the macos removal tool
• If any files remain afterward, follow these instructions to completely uninstall Office .

The message states that the installation cannot continue because no compatible Office products were found. In practice, this is often due to the selected language. If it is set to a language version that does not exist, such as English (United Kingdom), the installation will stop.

Solution: Under “Language,” select “Match operating system.”

Do you work with a configuration file?

1. Copy the file to a folder.
2. Open configuration.xml with Notepad.
3. Adjust the language setting for a Dutch-language PC:<Language ID="nl-NL" />

This error usually occurs if another version of Office is still installed on the PC. First, uninstall all versions of Office and try the installation again. You can find more information in this Microsoft article (English).

Microsoft explains which combinations of Office, Visio, and Project can be used together on a single PC: versions of Office, Visio, and Project on the same computer.

Error message: We can’t install. To install this product, first uninstall the following product(s)…

A customer received this message while installing Project Professional 2024 alongside a Microsoft 365 Family subscription. The procedure below is technical and intended for advanced users.

1. Preparing the ISO. Extract the ISO file using 7-Zip or WinRAR to a folder, such as C:ProjectISO.
2. Stop the Office service. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator:net stopClickToRunSvc sc config ClickToRunSvc start= disabled
3. Closing Office processes. A “not found” message is normal.taskkill /f /im winword.exetaskkill /f /im excel.exetaskkill /f /im outlook.exetaskkill /f /im powerpnt.exetaskkill /f /im msaccess.exetaskkill /f /im OfficeClickToRun.exe
4. Edit registration.reg add "HKLMSOFTWAREMicrosoftOfficeClickToRunConfiguration" /v BypassO365Check /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /freg add "HKLMSOFTWAREMicrosoftOfficeClickToRunConfiguration" /v ProductReleaseIds /t REG_SZ /d "ProjectPro2024Volume" /f
5. Create a configuration file. In the package folder, create a file named minimal-config.xml with the following content:<Configuration><Add OfficeClientEdition="64" Channel="Current"><Product ID="ProjectPro2024Volume"><Language ID="en-US" /></Product></Add></Configuration>
6. Installation: In the same Command Prompt, navigate to the “package” folder and run:setup.exe /configure minimal-config.xml
7. Restore service after a successful installation:sc config ClickToRunSvcstart=autonet start ClickToRunSvc

Important: Use Channel=”Current” instead of PerpetualVL2024, and maintain administrator privileges throughout the entire process.

Microsoft 365 is a subscription service. You’ll automatically receive all brand new features, product type changes, and security updates.

Office You purchase 2024 LTSC (volume key) as a one-time purchase. It does not receive brand new features via automatic updates, only security updates. As a result, the program remains stable and does not change unexpectedly in appearance or functionality.

Microsoft lists the brand new features, for Windows and for macos.

1. Select a product. Add the product to your basket. If it says “(backordered),” it is temporarily out of stock.
2. Checkout. Review your basket, enter your information, and select a payment method.
3. Payment. After a successful payment, you’ll be directed to the thank-you page with an overview of your order and payment status.
4. Order Confirmation Email. Shortly after payment, you’ll automatically receive an order confirmation email. It will include a link to the instructions page, a personal password to log in, your code at the bottom of the email (unless the product doesn’t have a code, such as an account), and the date by which you must activate it.
5. Installation: Log in to the instruction page using the password from the email and follow the steps. These steps are easy to follow, even without prior experience.

If you place your order via cd-keys.uk/software, please email us so we can process any additional orders.

• Check your spam or junk mail folder.
• The email usually arrives within one minute to one hour. A filter set up by your email provider may occasionally delay it.
• Did you pay by bank transfer? You’ll automatically receive the order confirmation email as soon as the amount is credited to our account.
• Did you order a product that’s currently out of stock? You’ll receive an order confirmation email as soon as the code is back in stock, usually within 24 hours on business days.
• There may be a typo in your email address. Please send us your name, email address, and the date of your order via the contact form.

• iDEAL | Wero: pay directly through your own bank, with no extra fees.
• Bancontact
• Credit and debit cards: including Visa and Mastercard.
• PayPal: Check out without sharing your card information, with PayPal Buyer Protection.
• Apple Pay and Google Pay: pay with your phone, confirmed with Face ID, fingerprint, or PIN.
• Credit cards for customers in France.
• Bank transfer: You’ll receive your order confirmation email as soon as payment is received.

At checkout, check the box labeled “I want an invoice.” A field for your VAT number will then appear. Enter the full number, including the country code.

The invoice is automatically generated and sent along with your order confirmation email as soon as payment is processed.

Every product comes with an activation guarantee. Activate your code as soon as possible, and in any case within 15 days of purchase or no later than the date specified in your order email. That date is listed at the bottom of the email, next to your code.

If you activate the product later and the activation fails, this is not covered by the warranty. However, we will do our best to help you.

Once your code has been delivered, the right of withdrawal expires, in accordance with Article 16(m) of Directive 2011/83/EU on digital content. This is also stated for each product and in our terms and conditions.

Exceptions:

• If the code doesn’t work: please contact us first via the contact form. We’ll assist you and send a brand new code if necessary. If you purchase elsewhere without contacting us first, you’ll forfeit your right to a refund, since we were unable to assist you.
• Incorrect product information: if the description on our site differs from what you received.
• Ordered the wrong product— for example, for a different operating system or an edition that doesn’t fit your needs? Contact us, and we’ll see if we can offer a refund.

Your key never expires: you pay a one-time fee and don’t need to renew a subscription. The key is activated once on a device and is linked to the installation at that time. After successful activation, the key is considered used.

Lifespan of Microsoft products. Microsoft determines how long a product receives updates. Windows 10 and Office 2016 and 2019 received their last regular updates in October 2025. Microsoft may phase out activation servers for older products. This is independent of the key you purchased from us.

Yes. Within the European Union, a software key may be resold under certain conditions. The Court of Justice of the EU confirmed this in 2012 in the case of UsedSoft v. Oracle (C-128/11).

We work exclusively with suppliers we know and trust. CD-Keys is an independent reseller and is not affiliated with Microsoft.

CD-Keys is an online store operated by Webtron, a Belgian company based in Waregem. We sell only software: Windows, Office, security software, and other programs—for home and business use. In addition to cd-keys.uk, we operate online stores in Belgium, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, and Sweden.