How to activate Windows 10 build 10240

Many users who performed a clean install of Windows 10 build 10240 cannot activate it. That is because Microsoft has disabled the online activation until the end of July 2015. If you are interested in activating Windows 10 build 10240, here are a few simple steps for you to do that without using any cracks, hacks or third party software.

Windows 10 20240 activated
How to activate Windows 10 build 10240

  1. Open an elevated command prompt.
  2. Type the following command and hit the Enter key:
    slmgr /ipk W269N-WFGWX-YVC9B-4J6C9-T83GX

    Wait for the message box popup that the key is installed.

  3. Now type the following command and press Enter
    slmgr /skms kms.xspace.in

    Again, wait for the message box.

  4. Finally, enter the following command:
    slmgr /ato

    After you hit the Enter key, Windows 10 build 10240 will become activated.

You are done.

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Author: Sergey Tkachenko

Sergey Tkachenko is a software developer who started Winaero back in 2011. On this blog, Sergey is writing about everything connected to Microsoft, Windows and popular software. Follow him on Telegram, Twitter, and YouTube.

215 thoughts on “How to activate Windows 10 build 10240”

  1. doesn’t work for me, i get error : 0xC004F074 The Software Licensing Service reported that the computer could not be activated. No Key Management Service (KMS) could be contacted. Please see the Application Event Log for additional information.

      1. im same have error : 0xC004F074 The Software Licensing Service reported that the computer could not be activated. No Key Management Service (KMS) could be contacted. Please see the Application Event Log for additional information.

          1. Is this process done offline?plz brief me on how to overcom the problem.i too encounterd the same problem

          2. Hello I activated fine using the steps above.

            however I done an clean install, skipped actication during the install,

            and tried the method above and I get the ‘KMS server error’. please help!

          3. How will not having http in the KMS server address help me activate it? What must i do exactly?

          4. i got it to work! After doing this process you must run KMSpico_10.0.4 works like a charm.

      2. I have been getting the same error for two days now. I try to activate at least once every two hours
        Please help!

    1. it work for me try like this :
      Open an elevated ( command prompt (ADMIN) ) inportant to do like admin
      Type the following command and hit the Enter key:
      slmgr /ipk W269N-WFGWX-YVC9B-4J6C9-T83GX
      Wait for the message box popup that the key is installed.

      Now type the following command and press Enter
      slmgr /skms kms.xspace.in
      Again, wait for the message box.

      Finally, enter the following command:
      slmgr /ato

      1. Thanks Guys,

        i have done activate build 10240 WIN 10 enterprise serial key “NPPR9-FWDCX-D2C8J-H872K-2YT43” with the command tools..

        Bravo & thanks again..

        1. Thanks Nixon Hippy, confirmed working for me with the key you provided. Struck out with the 2 previous keys and was getting worried. Excellent work everyone who took the time to post cmd lines to help out…

    2. doesn’t work for me, i get error : 0xC004F074 The Software Licensing Service reported that the computer could not be activated. No Key Management Service (KMS) could be contacted. Please see the Application Event Log for additional information.

    3. I found it easier downloading KMSpico. WORKED A CHARM. after 5 days of trying all of these POINTLESS ways over and over again.

      KMSPICO may pop up as malware but it most defiantly isn’t.

      you can download it here
      https://mega.nz/#!dgsGCJTC!iUBSral2jJBQup324CIHWCF4j9QMXP22vg6COTtHJlw

      after its installed go here
      C:\Program Files\KMSpico
      then click autospico, youll hear a weird alien like noise and boom the watermark has gone and you are able to use fully activated windows 10!!!

      need any help you can add me on skype : kashfx

      1. Excellent! Been trying various methods for days and this DOES work! Turn off antivirus because it detects it as a virus but it definitely isn’t. Tried many downloads of KMSpico but they all had hidden software installers. This DOESN’T! Windows now showing as activated, watermark gone, however… there is still a restriction on customizing the desktop but who the hell cares when you can just right click a picture and click ‘set as desktop wallpaper’ anyway.

        Cheers buddy!

        1. The only good, malware free versions of KMSpico are found at TPB. All sites offering it as download packed it with ab unlimited amount of PUPs. Next time look on TPB and pick the lastest version with most seeders. Guaranteed ad free And working!

      2. It worked for me as well, thank you very much! I had to disable windows defender for 5 minutes, activation message disappeared and after I just reactivated defender, working good so far!

      3. Thank You Very Much Bro. I Was Just Like You Scrolling Down Tons of Websites for 3-4 Days. I Even Contacted One of the Microsoft Support Person But Nothing Happened. I Just Had To Turn Off My Antivirus For 30 Minutes cause It Blocked The Download. I am Very Much satisfied With Your Technique. Thank You Again Bro

    4. i think that you have to enter this command ” slmgr /ckms ” before the steps
      This command clears the KMS host info from the system

  2. Thank you for this! :D

    I succesfully activated Windows 10 Enterprise (Using my Enteprise key from Windows Insider).

    1. Hi sir, how did you get that the product key,.
      if you dont mind please give me that product key or how to activate the windows 10

    1. I doubt that. I think you will be able to use this key for install only but not for activation

          1. I don‘t understand why Microsoft would make a key that everyone can use for activation. Does it activate Windows permanently?

  3. Apparently when you skip entering the key on the first clean install; seems like the key is already installed on the Windows 10 OS. All I had to do was…. step 3 and 4.

    Thank you WinAero.

    -FlippinWindows

  4. I just realized I was not able to sign in my Microsoft Account to use the Windows 10. I am using it under a local account. I wonder what is up with that. There is no network error. I was able to login via Onedrive, but not anywhere else. I also tried logging in through the Windows Store and it gave me and error that something went wrong. I have no firewall issues and this is being used through a VMware Machine. Also, I have my Android Microsoft Account App and every time I do attempt to sign in correctly; I get a popup to approve the device. Weird.

    How would you fix this?

    Thanks, FlippinWindows

  5. I am going to do a complete reset of the Windows 10 to see if I can sign into Windows 10 via my Microsoft account. I was able to add an account and sign into my Microsoft account, but I had fewer sync options.

  6. works perfectly thanks dude

    run cmd as administrator its in windows system32 if you cant find it

    1. Actually, this same key is needed only for a clean install if you did not upgrade first. What I did was upgrade from 8.1 – Windows activated. Then I format the HD and did a clean install. Windows activated.

  7. Keep in mind that the KMS method is intended for Enterprise edition deployments. When you convert a Pro edition to the KMS channel like this, the activation is temporary. This can be verified by typing this at the command prompt:

    slmgr /xpr

    This will show the lifetime of the activation (renewals extend to six months out), meaning that if the computer can’t renew with the KMS server periodically, the activation will expire.

    I just wanted to make sure people knew what they were getting into here.

    1. Jim, I’m now having this exact issue with the most recent build of Windows 10 Preview. It wants me to activate, but I get error 0xc004f074, and I can’t use my original 8.1 license either (the newest builds of Win 10 Preview are supposed to activate using original 8.1 keys now). I think the reason is that I’m now in the KMS channel. Is there a way back out without blanking the HDD? Can slmgr get me back to the normal channel?

  8. You can activate permanently, just install windows 8.1 with retail key, activate via internet or phone, then upgrade to windows 10 – don’t input any key in setup and be sure to be connected to internet. After that, windows 10 will be permanently activated legally, because of Microsoft’s free upgrade offer. If you want to clean install, just format your hard drive, clean install windows 10 and don’t put your key to installation. After that upgrade process, MS saves your hardware ID as owner of Windows 10, so it will activate through internet automatically.

  9. Спасибо автору !!!
    Активация прошла автоматом, хотя и со 2-го раза.

      1. In what way did you do the activation? Can you help me about this. I already have build 10240 windows 10 pro…

  10. I able to activate with this method on 10240 enterprise also but I have one other question.
    If I Reset PC on 10240 will this method work second time? or usable like those 10162 prerelease key?
    or the key still remain activate?

  11. Hi, Thank You for this excellent guide.
    I have upgraded a Win7 Home to Win10 Pro (no clean install). I have entered the above key (see step 2) in the early beginning of installation, it was accepted then. All went fine, i finally checked the activation status. Said not activated. Entered step 3 and 4 (4 was rejected, because i was not online). Connected to the internet and repeated step 4, ok. System activation check said : not activated. Took a few minutes, then it was changed into activated. Checked the expiration date (slmgr /xpr), said January 14th, 2016. Tried to change the license key to the one that was in the fast ring update pack of TH1, failed. Entered another valid 8.1 Pro key, different error.
    So I’ll wait til 29th and see what happens.

  12. I have a serious concern. I hope someone can answer this properly:

    I have a year-old laptop running legit Windows 8.1. If I get the Windows 10 10240 ISO (from The Verge), will it be stay activated and be considered legitimate as well? *I read in the comments here that I should just skip the product key part and rest assured that Win10 will be activated because my previous OS was activated too.
    Or should I just wait for Microsoft’s official upgrade? (But I really want it now though haha)

    Note: I use this laptop as my personal device. This isn’t some tester; this really is my primary PC.
    Thanks.

  13. Thank you so much! This worked for my 10240 Enterprise.
    The reason is probably that is solves the DNS issue error message.

    Wonder why this information is so difficult to find?

  14. My modem is not working …. showing driver installation failed .. My modem is iball airway… Plzz help

  15. 0xC004F074 The Software Licensing Service reported that the computer could not be activated. No Key Management Service (KMS) could be contacted. Please see the Application Event Log for additional information.

    I get the same error

  16. Hello, I have formatted my pc with 10240 taken from my .esd. But I can login with my Microsoft account, but when I use store, mail and the other It tells me that I have to control my account settings. In older buils this problems is not occurred. Can you help me?

      1. No, I have only installed 10240 iso, then I have activated win 10 pro online, and then I have used my Microsoft account on the pc, with sms verify. But apps can’t use my account..

          1. I have formatted my pc 3 times with iso, but nothing. It only works if I do a clean install of build 10074 and then update at 10240: In this manner, when I use my Microsoft account the Apps can use it without problems. But I’d do a clean install of 10240.. Can be posdible that my 10240 iso is “damaged”? But if I use it as update it work good..

  17. Hi, i have logged in using my insiders Microsoft account, but Windows update does not shows this update, please help me. Currently i have the Win10 Build10162

  18. Hi everybody, for me it’s okay, I activated Windows 10 successful. But I whant to know if this activation is for evere so if it remains active even after July 29. Thankes in advance. Bye.

  19. Hi ,

    Thanks for the steps .. It worked for me .

    Just a quick Query .. What should be done once the 6 Months period of activation is over ?
    I just hope that they release some crack for Windows 10 asap .

    1. You are right, it will require re-activation every 6 months. Personally, I reserved Windows 10 and will use the genuine license when MS will release it. So it is a good idea to reserve Win10, since it is free.

  20. hi Sergey so I don’t have no key for this pc is a laptop Olidata. Thankes 4 your answer.
    U don’t think that this kind of activation is forever? Tell me please.

    1. I am sure that this KMS server will die sooner or later. So it is better to “reserve” Windows 10 using your genuine 7 or 8/8.1

  21. doesn’t work for me, I Got this Error]

    error:0xC004f025 Acceess Denied:the requested action requires elevated privileges

    Help me please i can’t activate it please please……………….

  22. I did a clean install with the 10240 iso in virtualbox. I followed the steps above to activate offline. This worked flawlessly.
    But I discovered that the automatic updates do not work. I think this has to do with this activation process

  23. This key W269N-WFGWX-YVC9B-4J6C9-T83GX doesn’t work.
    When I use this key I get the error “Error: 0xC004F069 on a computer running MS Windows non-core edition,
    Run ‘slui.exe 0x2a 0xC004F069’ to display the error text.”
    Later I google and know that Windows cannot find this key.

    I change new key NPPR9-FWDCX-D2C8J-H872K-2YT43
    and repeat the steps above

    And this time it works WELL!!!

    Here is another key to test
    VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T
    (I have not tested yet).

    1. I Just used W269N-WFGWX-YVC9B-4J6C9-T83GX thsi afternoon and it worked fine. Activated until 01/20/20016

  24. No luck wit this method on a fresh install using either the key above or:

    NPPR9-FWDCX-D2C8J-H872K-2YT43

    VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T

    1. Did you open the CMD as admin? I had similar issue before but when I opened CMD as admin, it worked perfectly.

    2. the second key worked for me by just going into settings then update and security then change key enter it and it even upgraded windows also hope that helps

  25. Well, I used a code to see my windows 10 is permanently activated. : slmgr -xpr
    And my windows says that my activation is over at jan 17th 2016.
    Does anyone know ’bout this?

  26. Thank You very much that is a really cool stuff u got there, I don’t know how you did it but it worked magic. Thanks

  27. KEEP THE FOLLOWING IN MIND

    This is a KMS activation using a 3rd party activation server. This means it will need to be reactivated 6 months down the road. This can also keep you from legitimately activating your copy for windows going forward.

    1. That’s correct Kelly, this is not a Microsoft activation it is a third party activation via a non MS server. I suggest you wait until MS contacts you with a upgrade copy tied to your registration details or use the there image creation tool to create a ISO. If you are coming from windows 8 no need to enter key as most users don’t know it anyway as it is embedded in BIOS. I have used the above method successfully, you must be online and you must have a MS account. You will be asked to change you password to 4 digit pin number.

      1. Who cares if it isn’t a “legit” Microsoft activation?

        Long as people can use it.

        Since when did Microsoft need our permission to use the Windows we legitimately bought?

        Since when are they our nanny?

        1. They must be desperate for everyone to start using Ubuntu.

          Don’t know how long people going to put up with being told when or if they can use the Windows they bought. Seems more people are starting to use Linux Mint/Ubuntu/Other variants of Linux because of all the problems with activating & other issues.

          Sometimes, I think they don’t want people to use Windows. LOL!

  28. This works also for the official Windows 10 download release from July 29, 2015. Create a bootable device, install Windows 10. Then follow introduction which is given here. Windows 10 will be activated!

  29. I upgraded from 10162 build to 10240 today (29th July) but my Windows seemed not activated so i did activation via this metod and it’s working fine but i have few questions.
    1. I am insider tester so why the Windows will be activated only until 25th January 2016?
    2. Is this metod legal?
    3. Will i be able to download official Windows updates?
    Sorry for my english, i hope u will understand my questions

  30. Worked on the Windows 10 pro RTM. Maybe you guys are trying to use on the home version, i’m not sure if works in this version, as i said, worked fine in rtm pro.

  31. Worked like described,

    I bought my HP envoy laptop windows 8 pre installed and didn’t like it so I loaded an ISO of windows 7 home premium on a flash drive to downgrade .I had to wipe the hard drive to start from scratch cause the system partitions wouldn’t allow for NTFS install but either way I was able to downgrade to 7 ,a lot of work finding a way to activate with no key for 7 as well but I found like most (“hacktivator”) works well for that.

    So now I go ahead and except and reserve my free copy of windows 10 and finally wake up to it installed and waiting for a product key I never had .

    Searching for about 30 minutes and found your solution and it worked just like mentioned.

    THANK YOU

  32. So what should I do after the activation expired???
    Does the reactivation means repeating the steps above?

    1. I think it is better to get your genuine key. Just upgrade your previous Windows version with Windows 10 ISO by running setup.exe and you will get the activation forever

      1. Does those keys from Windows 7 activator works? I mean if I upgrade from window 7. Apparently I can’t buy a Windows 10 key… So if I get a Windows 8 key, I will have to install windows 8 and starts from there??

  33. i still got the same error: 0xC004F074 The Software Licensing Service reported that the computer could not be activated. No Key Management Service (KMS) could be contacted. Please see the Application Event Log for additional information.

    anyone can help?

  34. same error.

    The Software Licensing Service reported that the computer could not be activated. No Key Management Service (KMS) could be contacted. Please see the Application Event Log for additional information.

    I actiated yester and it worked, I formatted for a clean install, tried the above steps and it no longer works!!

  35. i searched too much on internet but couldn’t succeeded in getting any key yet.
    i am here with too much hope for my help.

  36. Well I tried and it didn’t work, so how do you change it back to the original KMS server, and what is this tool that Microsoft provided?

  37. Does not work:
    Activating Windows(R), Core edition ……………. Error: 0xC004C003
    The activation server determined the specified product key is blocked.

  38. doesn’t work for me, i get error : 0xC004F074 The Software Licensing Service reported that the computer could not be activated. No Key Management Service (KMS) could be contacted. Please see the Application Event Log for additional information.
    ….I have no “http” in the KMS server address
    ….and I am doing this online
    ….I have tried it many times but it don’t working every time the same message come plzzzzzzzzzz help me bro.

  39. I installed build 10240 and activated pro version trough kms server
    I had a validity for 6 months
    but I can just the extend the validity by using KMSpico app which is used to activate windows

  40. : 0xC004F074 The Software Licensing Service reported that the computer could not be activated. No Key Management Service (KMS) could be contacted. Please see the Application Event Log for additional information.

    i got this error i have windows 10 pro version pls give me a sollution

  41. hi guyz!!!
    I was trying out the os from getintopc and was able to install it and activate for 2 times. then I tried installing Ubuntu 15.04 durin gwhich I unknowingly uninstalled my windows 10
    now, I have reinstalled windows 10 but am unable to acyivate using the same method
    now what should I do?
    10 days over since installation
    my previous windows 10 was activated and drive formatted.
    will my windows 10 activate by itself?
    otherwise, what should I do?

  42. I had tried the method but showing this
    Error: 0xC004F069 On a computer running Microws Windows non-core edition run ‘slui.exe 0x2a 0xC004F069’ to display the error text.

  43. hello, great work u have here.
    I have a problem with windows 10 Ent activation buld 10240 that ends with …….2YT43. will this method u stated above solve the problem and should I do it online?
    Thanks a lot.

  44. hello, great works u have here.
    Pls help with windows 10 activation Ent build 10240 that ends with serial 2YT43.

  45. HELLO, I JUST TRIED THE METHOD. IT WAS SUCCESSFUL UP TO THE LAST STEP THEN I GOT THE ERROR MESSAGE LIKE THOSE BEFORE ME ( I.E. COULD NOT FIND KMS ….. SOMETHING LIKE THAT
    I NOTICED YOU SAID SOMETHING BEFORE LIKE MAYBE THE SERVER WAS NOT AVAILABLE AT THE MOMENT OR CLEAR KMS FROM THE SERVER

  46. DEAR SIR, I HAVE WINDOWS 10 PRO WHICH I HAVE UPGRADED FROM WINDOWS 7 ULTIMATE WHEN IT STARTS AT RIGHT SIDE IT COMES ACTIVATE WINDOWS. I WANT THE ACTIVATION KEY CAN U HELP ME WITH THIS PROBLEM.

    PLEASE SIR HELP ME…………

  47. der sir . मे windows 8.1 pro के साथ windows 10 pro UPGRADED करना चहता हु तो कैसे करु please help us

  48. for active windows 10 that is very esay lol you no need key for active it you need juste the kmspico[https://mega.nz/#!dgsGCJTC!iUBSral2jJBQup324CIHWCF4j9QMXP22vg6COTtHJlw] and go to C:\Program Files\KMSpico click to AutoPico you windows 10 is actived good lucky and have fun ^__^

  49. I have found the way to activate windows . when the message will pop up that no key management service can be contacted , simply do ok. close cmd . then restart ur pc . ur done

  50. I tried the command line way and it worked fine the first time I tried, just couple days ago, this was using a microsoft downloaded win 10 home 32bit, it did display an error message or two but it did work.

    I tried it again on a different machine and I am also getting the “unable to contact KMS server” or simaler.

    So I ran kmspico on it and it worked fine. Thankyou, now that I have the kmspico version that works – link is above ill just use that because its nie quick and easy and no typing of product keys required :)

  51. i am not able to activate windows with the above procedure.
    can you please help me with the product key for windows 10 professional instead.

    i would be much happier if you can help me with the product key.
    thank you.

  52. I was interested in Win 10 LTSB release, because it does NOT come with Cortana or Metro app garbage.
    Additionally, it uses IE as default & Edge isn’t even included.
    Calc is standard (non-Metro), & performance seems ok.
    Default Apps included ability to set Windows Photo Viewer as default, so no worries there.

    On the downsides, I was unable to uncheck ANY of the ‘security center’ msg boxes, where perhaps Win 8.0 was the last OS that allowed a user to have any kind of control.

    Win 10 also made it all but impossible to totally disable Windows Defender, which resulted in Windows Defender proactively suggesting that I may have a ‘dangerous’ file on my flash drive, despite disabling real time defense.

    Sure, I disabled in the policy editor (gpedit.msc) but then I noted in services.msc where previously Windows Defender had NO options you could disable, here it enabled the enable box.

    So, I ran services.msc in admin mode by locating services.msc in system32 folder & enabled Windows Defender to see if perhaps MS relented with settings I adjusted to give me back control. No such luck, & after enabling Defender, it was impossible to disable again without re-visiting gpedit.msc to re-apply the disable settings.

    Win 10 LTSB has an annoying shutdown timer, which I attempted to block by renaming shutdown.exe in sytem32 to —shutdown.exe. A monumental task in itself, because Windows tried to block me via “security rights” meaning I had to add myself as a user & give myself permissions in order to change this file. Then, I created a blank shutdown.exe via notepad & placed it into system32, & eliminated all users from having any rights, but Windows still found a way to auto-shutdown on a timer.

    I attempted to alter the name of shutdown cmd in regedit, but Windows disallowed, so I attempted to gain permission by altering or adding myself as a user, but Windows blocked me from being able to do anything.

    I suppose that MS really, really, really doesn’t like anyone to change anything.

    Windows has become more like CEMENT than as OS, as it is very good at blocking users from being able to do anything that they want, while also auto deleting or attempting to delete personal files “because they are dangerous”….

    You know, the more I use Linux, the more I see what is wrong with Windows.

    Modern Xubuntu Linux looks nearly like the start menu of Windows 7 & it is free.

    Xubuntu detects all my hardware, no driver installations needed.
    Xubuntu is easy to setup, even easier than Windows.
    Xubuntu doesn’t claim the world will turn into a pile of good if you don’t enter a product key for what you paid.
    Xubuntu doesn’t have wild off the wall totalitarian dictatorship activation shemes.
    Xubuntu doesn’t have exorbitant EULA agreements.
    Xubuntu comes with Libre Office, which has spreadsheets, writer, presentation & more.
    Xubuntu doesn’t nag users to upgrade to the newest OS or things will go south.

    Microsoft should learn a lesson from Linux, because their current draconian totalitarian dictatorship principles of controlling everything users say or do is backfiring big time.

    More & more users as so frustrated just trying to get Windows to work… right… that they go to something much simpler. Linux.

    Linux is what Windows should be, could be, but isn’t because of greed.

    The love of $$$ is the root of ALL evil, & MS has proven it lacks what it takes to lead because of being blinded with their lust for $$$ at all costs no matter what.

    Enough about that…

    Someone has ported XP Picture & Fax viewer to work in x32 & x64 Windows Vista, 7, 8, & 10.

    Works great, because I tried it.

    Maybe someone can figure out exactly what files are added to the OS that cause it to think it needs to be activated & remove them?

    Or, maybe someone can figure out exactly what process causes Windows to think it is activated once internet activation occurs, then create a backup of the files that determine Windows is activated permanently to import on modern machines?

  53. hi bro i think it is not working for me please help i followed every thing i completed last step too but windows is not activated yet so please help me bro

    1. getting this error: 0xC004F025 Access Denid, action required evulation proviliges. when i tried below commontds in admin CMD prompt
      slmgr /ipk W269N-WFGWX-YVC9B-4J6C9-T83GX

  54. Thanks mahn.. i simply followed the step in the second method and it work for me perfectly…. Thanks in a million

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