Fix: Windows Activation Error 0x55601 or 0x44578

This error code comes from a malware that prevents users from reaching their desktops. When this error occurs, it imitates a Windows Installation activation screen and displays an error with the reference 0x55601 or 0x44578. The error screen also shows a separate dialog asking the user to enter the password to continue and gives a Toll Free number for customer support.

This error code is associated with a malware infection called “Ransomware”. The aim of the malware is to deceitfully get PC users to pay for “technical support” in removing the error on their computer. With the error on display, users are instructed to call a phone number where they will be required to complete payment for technical support to fix the problem.

Your main goal in this situation is to access your computer so that you can scan and delete this infection. However, depending on the type of the attack, you might not be able to enter your computer through certain ways. For example you might not be able to open Task Manager or you might not be able to sign in with the Safe Mode. So try each method that is mentioned below to see which one works for you.

Method 1: Boot in Safe Mode with Command Prompt

Perform the following steps to get into the Safe Mode with Command Prompt from where you will be able to open your Desktop. This way, you will be able to access your computer and then take steps that will erase this infection.

For this to work, you need to be able to get to the Sign in screen of your Windows. So if the infection doesn’t even let you reach the Sign in screen then try other methods

1. Get to the Sign in screen
2. Hold SHIFT key and select Power (bottom right corner) then Restart.
   
3. Once the system restart, select Troubleshoot
4. Select Advanced Options
5. Click Startup Settings
6. Choose Safe Mode with Networking
7. Click Restart

Now your PC will restart again. You will see a new screen with multiple options to choose from. Press 6 or F6 to boot into Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

Once you are in the Safe Mode with Command Prompt, follow the steps given below to get rid of the infection.

1. Now type msconfig and press Enter in the Command Prompt
2. Click Startup tab
3. Click Task Manager
4. Now select a program that you don’t recognize and click Disable
5. Repeat this process for every program that you don’t recognize
6. Now close the windows and type exe and press Enter (In the Command Prompt). This will open your File Explorer

From here, navigate to the AdwCleaner and run it. If you don’t have AdwCleaner then go here and download the AdwCleaner. If you can’t access this website from Safe Mode with Command Prompt then use another computer (that isn’t infected) and download the AdwCleaner. Transfer the downloaded file in a USB and insert that USB in this computer. Once you have inserted the USB, you will be able to see the USB drive in your File Explorer. Open the USB drive and run the AdwCleaner from here.

1. Once the AdwCleaner is open, click the Scan
2. Wait for the scan to complete.
3. Once the scan is complete, it will show you the infected files it found. Select all the threats that AdwCleaner found and click Clean.
4. Once the AdwCleaner is done cleaning your PC, it will reboot your computer.

Upon the successful restart, your computer should work fine now. Once you enter your computer, go here and download the Malwarebytes. Run the Malwarebytes to scan and disinfect your computer from any remaining threats. It’s also advised to use Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to scan your computer just to make sure that you are safe. You can get the Anti-Malware from here.

Once you are done with all of this scanning and cleaning, you should be good to go. You can restart your computer and the Ransomware should be gone now.

Method 2: Using System Restore

If the above method doesn’t work, then you will have to go with the System Restore. Using a system restore will bring your computer back to some point (when you made the system restore point). So anything that you installed after that point will be erased as well. The good thing is that if you were infected after creating that restore point, then the infection should be erased as well. But the bad thing is, you can’t do a restore if you didn’t create a restore point before getting infected or if the infection deleted the restore point. If you aren’t sure whether or not you created a restore point then just follow the instruction given below and it will automatically tell you.

If you are already in the Safe Mode with Command Prompt (because of following the Method 1) then you can perform a system restore from here.

1. Typeexe and press Enter in the Command Prompt
2. A new window will open, click Next
3. Select the Restore point that you want to go back to. You will be able to see a list with time and names. If you are sure when you got infected then select the Restore point that was created before that day. If you aren’t sure when you got infected then it’s advised to select a Restore point that is quite old. 2-3 weeks should be fine.
4. Click Next once you have selected the Restore point
5. Click Finish.

If you are at the main screen where you see the error then do this:

1. Restart your computer
2. When you are at the Sign in screen, Hold SHIFT key and click Power (right bottom corner) then select Restart.
3. Once the system restart, select Troubleshoot
4. Select Advanced Options
5. Click System Restore. Now your computer will restart
6. Once the computer is restarted, pick your account and enter your password.
7. Now select the Restore point. You will be able to see a list with time and names. If you are sure when you got infected then select the Restore point that was created before that day. If you aren’t sure when you got infected then it’s advised to select a Restore point that is quite old. 2-3 weeks should be fine. Once you have selected the Restore point then follow the on screen instructions.

Once the restore is done, you should be fine and you should be able to log in to Windows without any problem.

Method 3: System Restore via Hard Shut Down

If, for some reason, you can’t access the Sign in screen then it will be really difficult for you to follow the above given methods. In this case, you can perform hard shut downs of your computer which might give an opportunity to perform a System Restore.

1. Turn on your computer
2. When the manufacturers logo disappears, press and hold the power button of your PC for 5-10 seconds.
3. Repeat the step 2 twice
4. On the third boot of your computer, you should be in Windows Recovery Environment
5. Click Troubleshoot
6. Click Advanced Options
7. Click System Restore. Now your computer will restart
8. Once the computer is restarted, pick your account and enter your password.
9. Now select the Restore point. You will be able to see a list with time and names. If you are sure when you got infected then select the Restore point that was created before that day. If you aren’t sure when you got infected then it’s advised to select a Restore point that is quite old. 2-3 weeks should be fine. Once you have selected the Restore point then follow the on screen instructions.

Once the restore is done, you should be fine and you should be able to log in to Windows without any problem.

Note: You can also go to your Desktop via Safe Mode with Command Prompt. First perform the steps 1-4 in this method. Once you are in the Windows Recovery Environment, you can follow the Method 1 from the start.