How to Fix Windows Activation Error: 0xC004D302

The system shows a licensing error message and stops Windows from activating. This can also stop you from changing personalization settings or getting updates. Error code 0xC004D302 means that the trusted data store in the Software Protection Platform was restarted, which usually interrupts normal activation.

This problem mainly happens when the product key does not match the installed version of Windows. Other reasons can be damaged licensing files or problems in the Windows registry.

In this article, we will discuss different solutions to solve this error.

1. Run an SFC Scan

This error may appear if the system files needed for Windows activation are corrupt or missing. Running an SFC (System File Checker) scan can help identify and repair these files.

1. Click on the Start Menu and search for CMD.
2. Select Run as Administrator. Then type the following command and press Enter:

   sfc /scannow

3. This process will take some time to scan the system files. Once the scan is complete, restart your system and check whether the error still appears.

   

2. Edit the Windows Registry

The Windows Registry controls many low-level settings of your operating system. If there is an issue with the activation keys, you can try editing the registry to see if it resolves the error.

1. Go to the Start Menu and type Registry.
2. Open the Registry Editor application. Navigate to the following location:

   Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SoftwareProtectionPlatform

3. In the right panel, right-click on SkipRearm and select the Modify option. A dialog box titled “Edit DWORD (32-bit) Value” will appear.

   

4. Set the Value data to 1 and click OK. Then restart your computer.

   

5. Now go to the Start Menu, and search for Command Prompt.
6. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator.
7. Type the following command and press Enter:

   slmgr -rearm

8. Hopefully, this will fix the error. If not, please continue with the next method.

   

3. Perform a Diagnostic Test Using the Error Checking Tool

If the error persists, you can perform a diagnostic test of your drive using the built-in Error Checking Tool. This tool scans for corrupted files, checks the hard disk for bad sectors, and fixes errors.

1. Open File Explorer and click on This PC.
2. Right-click on your C: drive and select Properties.

   

3. Select the Tools tab in the Properties window, then click the Check button to scan the drive for file system errors.
4. Click Scan Drive. This process will take a few minutes.

   

5. To fix any detected bad sectors, look for an option below called Check for Bad Sectors or similar (depending on your Windows version). Allow the process to finish, then check if the error still appears.

4. Restore Your Windows System

If the error still persists, you can try restoring your Windows system to a previous point when the error was not present. Keep in mind that any data added after the selected restore date will be lost.

1. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type rstrui and press Enter.
3. Select Choose a different restore point and click Next.

   

4. Select the restore point that is dated before the error started appearing.
5. Click Next and then Finish. Remember that this will remove any data or programs added after the restore point was created. Once the restore is complete, check if the error still appears.