How to fix
Windows activation error 0xc0000022
on Windows

Hello. I have an issue with activation because I receive the error 0xc0000022 when I try to activate Windows 10 Pro. I use the correct key from the original upgrade, but this is not working. I have recently used the same key for the hardware reset, so I have no idea why it is not working now. Can you help me?

There are various issues with Windows 10 devices and especially when it comes to upgrades, because problems are caused when the update is not properly installed, and corrupted pieces or direct OS bugs lead to function failure.[ref en-1] Windows activation error 0xc0000022 is commonly reported by people online.[ref en-2] Most of the users claim that it is impossible to solve the issue, but there are some particular reasons why this is the problem, so solutions also exist.

When you do the activation, you need to make sure that this is the correct product key. After all, activation errors like this are common because people do not verify the key when doing this. Error codes like 0xC004F074, 0xc004f050, 0xC004F213, 0x80041023, 0x803F7001 are common and very talked-about, so these articles with fixes are written to help people solve the issue properly. 

These particular issues are not new, as you can see from the number of different errors, but these activation errors are commonly associated with Software Protection Service that is critical for the OS. The particular feature is responsible for managing the download, installation, and enforcement of licenses for the operating system. When you encounter Windows activation error 0xc0000022, it means that the SPS is corrupted, missing, or damaged.

That also can happen to various system files, so various processes stop working and trigger the error message:

0xC0000022 – STATUS_ACCESS_DENIED

If the problem is with malware[ref en-3] leftovers or corrupted DLLs, system files, damaged parts of the machine, or third-party applications, you can quickly repair these issues with a tool [d1]. This quick process checks for affected parts and can easily fix those problems with a few steps.

However, the activation error 0xc0000022 can be caused by a bigger issue, so not all incidents can be solved using the PC repair app. You can start the fixing process with a quick start, cleaning process when junk, temporary files get deleted. If that is not helping and the issue persists, follow the guide with in-depth steps. Follow all of them to make sure that the problem is fixed once and for all.

Option 1. Run the activation troubleshooter

• Go to Settings.
  
• Choose Update & Security.
  
• Find Activation on the list.
  

  

• Hit the troubleshooting option.

Option 2. Check the Software Protection Service

1. Open the Run box by pressing the Win + R keys.
   

   

2. Type in msc and hit Enter.
3. This operation takes you to the Services window.
   
4. Look for Software Protection Service and double-click it to open its Properties window.
   

   

5. Click on the Start button to start the service, and then click Apply and OK.
6. Restart your computer.

Option 3. Check the permission issues

1. Search for cmd in the lower bar.
2. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator.
3. Type the following and hit Enter after the command:
   Icacls %windir%\\ServiceProfiles\\NetworkService\\AppData\\Roaming\\Microsoft\\SoftwareProtectionPlatform /grant “BUILTIN\\Administrators:(OI)(CI)(F)” “NT AUTHORITY\\SYSTEM:(OI)(CI)(F)” “NT Service\\sppsvc:(OI)(CI)(R,W,D)” “NETWORK SERVICE:(OI)(CI)(F)”
4. Exit Command Prompt.
5. Open the Run dialog box.
6. Type in %windir%\\System32, and press Enter.
7. Alternatively, open the path C:\\Windows\\System32.
8. Go to the View tab and check the Hidden items box.
9. Locate the 7B296FB0-376B-497e-B012-9C450E1B7327-5P-0.C7483456-A289-439d-8115-601632D005A0 folder and delete it.
10. Choose Yes if prompted.
11. If the folder appears multiple times, delete all of them.
12. Exit File Explorer.
13. Open the Run box once again.
14. Enter the path:
    %windir%\\ServiceProfiles\\NetworkService\\AppData\\Roaming\\Microsoft\\SoftwareProtectionPlatform\\, hit OK.
15. Locate the dat file, right-click it and rename it to bak.
16. Press Enter.
17. Exit File Explorer.
18. Next, open the Services window, and double-click Software Protection Service.
19. Choose Automatic in the Startup type drop-down menu.
    

    

20. Click Start and then OK.
21. Reboot Windows to apply the changes.

Option 4. Run SFC and DISM scans

• Click Start, then choose Command Prompt (Admin) from the menu.
• Type in the following commands in the terminal:
  WSReset.exe
  dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
  dism /online /cleanup-image /StartComponentCleanup
  sfc /scannow
  powershell
  Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers |Where-Object {$_.InstallLocation -like “*SystemApps*”} | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\\AppXManifest.xml”}
• Press Enter to execute the command.
  

  

• Repat with :
  Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
  Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
  Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Option 5. Check for malware

• Launch Settings via the Start menu or using the Win + I shortcut.
• Open Update & Security.
  

  

  
  
• Select Windows Security.
• Open the Virus & threat protection option, and click on the Scan options link.
• Select Windows Defender Offline scan and then click Scan now.