Windows 10 not activating, error code 0xC0020036

[felixapps]

So I currently have Windows 10 Home (unactivated) installed on my PC, and I bought a Pro key so that I could upgrade, but I'm not sure how, I've already tried just clicking on the change product key in settings but that just gives me error code 0xC0020036 which I can't find anything about on the internet so this is my last hope.

Thanks in advance.

 

[birne]

try downloading the pro version from microsoft and installing that one.
i dont think it is possible to upgrade by installing a new product key..

 

[Wolfshadw]

A Windows 10 Pro key is not going to work with a Windows 10 Home install. You need to download and install Windows 10 Pro in order to use the Windows 10 Pro key.

-Wolf sends

 

[4745454b]

Not quite guys, MS says it's possible.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/12384/windows-10-upgrading-home-to-pro

Select the Start button, then select Settings > Update & security > Activation.
Select Change product key, and then enter the 25-character Windows 10 Pro product key.
Select Next to start the upgrade to Windows 10 Pro.

Any chance you are using 10 home 32bit? It won't go from 32 to 64bit. But I'm guessing you have a "bad" key. This is why it's important to buy from correct sellers.

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-windows_install/problem-activation-error-0xc0020036-windows-10/85126b3c-8476-4310-83bf-4d9c7801d39b

What we notice is, you are using a KMS client key from the following web page:

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started/kmsclientkeys

But your license indicates it is a subscription.

I recommend you try contacting the volume activation center for assistance.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/Licensing/existing-customer/activation-centers.aspx

I'm guessing you bought a cheap key off a grey market site and they've sold you one that doesn't work with current windows builds. You can try talking to the activation center, or just go buy a real valid key.

 

[4745454b]

Wolfshadow, one of win10's "best" features is you can easily upgrade from copies if you pay more money. The only win10 that doesn't do this is win10s. Supposedly because 10s is installed on basic machines and they don't want the whole win10 on there because the machine would choke.

 

[Wolfshadw]

Wolfshadow, one of win10's "best" features is you can easily upgrade from copies if you pay more money. The only win10 that doesn't do this is win10s. Supposedly because 10s is installed on basic machines and they don't want the whole win10 on there because the machine would choke.

That's good info! I did not know that!

Thanks!

-Wolf sends

 

[felixapps]

Not quite guys, MS says it's possible.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/12384/windows-10-upgrading-home-to-pro

Select the Start button, then select Settings > Update & security > Activation.
Select Change product key, and then enter the 25-character Windows 10 Pro product key.
Select Next to start the upgrade to Windows 10 Pro.

Any chance you are using 10 home 32bit? It won't go from 32 to 64bit. But I'm guessing you have a "bad" key. This is why it's important to buy from correct sellers.

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-windows_install/problem-activation-error-0xc0020036-windows-10/85126b3c-8476-4310-83bf-4d9c7801d39b

What we notice is, you are using a KMS client key from the following web page:

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/get-started/kmsclientkeys

But your license indicates it is a subscription.

I recommend you try contacting the volume activation center for assistance.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/Licensing/existing-customer/activation-centers.aspx

I'm guessing you bought a cheap key off a grey market site and they've sold you one that doesn't work with current windows builds. You can try talking to the activation center, or just go buy a real valid key.

Well I got the key from amazon and the seller had very good reviews, so I bought it, didn't work so I asked for another key, that one didn't work either, so I'm wondering if it's my PC.

 

[felixapps]

Never mind, I just installed Windows 10 Pro and now it works, thanks.

 

[Peter Martin]

sweet!

 

[4745454b]

Did it need a blank install instead of an upgrade?

 

[Colif]

Here are two other potential fixes - https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-win_licensing/error-code-0xc0020036/2df88f6b-a56d-4ec2-8a65-adf77d04fecf