Cannot activate Windows. Error code 0x80070005

I’ve just run into an issue with some of our Windows 2012R2 servers that could not be activated via KMS service.

When I have tried to activate Windows I got the following error message:

Windows can’t activate. Try again later with the following error details:

Error code: 0x80070005. Error description: Access is denied.

I’ve tried to activate Windows using a command prompt in elevated mode with the following command:

slmgr.vbs /ato

Even though I got a successful activation confirmation, Windows were still not activated.

Once I’ve tried to activate again using slmgr.vbs /ato command this time I got the following error message:

Activating Windows(R), Server Standard edition

Error: 0x80070005 Access denied: the requested action requires elevated privileges

Upon further research, it appears there is a bug in the KMS activation process for Windows Servers 2012 R2 versions. If a third-party application has been installed on the server it might mess DCOM permissions on the server that can result in the server being unable to activate. Have in mind that this problem only appears in KMS activation environments.

So, to fix this issue you’ll have to do the following:

In the Run prompt type DCOMCNFG and hit Enter.

In the left pane expand Component Services –> Computers and right-click on My Computer and then Properties.

In My Computer properties window select the COM Security tab and then click on Edit Default.

Add SELF account and select Allow for both Local and Remote access.

Click OK twice and restart the server. After the server restarts, Windows should be activated.

Comments are welcome!