Error 0x8007232B 'DNS Name Does Not Exist' when Activating Windows 8

Friday, August 17, 2012
I have been installing Windows 8 Enterprise RTM on my lab machines using the RTM ISO from MSDN.  I've found that each installation does not activate properly, giving the following error:
Error code:          0x8007232B
Error description:   DNS name does not exist.
I have a valid product key for Windows 8 Enterprise from MSDN, but setup doesn't prompt for this key during installation.


Open System properties and click 'View details in Windows Activation'


Click the 'Activate' button to begin activation


Attempting activation...


Error 0x8000232B - DNS name does not exist.

The same thing happens if you try to activate Windows 8 from the PC Settings | Activate Windows menu in the "modern user interface" (aka Metro):
'Windows can't activate right now. Try activating Windows later. If the issue persists, contact your system administrator or technical support department for assistance.'


This occurs because Windows 8 is using a temporary product key.  You need to install the correct product key to complete Activation using the SLMGR.VBS script installed with Windows.

Here are the steps to perform activation with the correct product key after installation:

  • Open an elevated CMD prompt and run the following command, as shown below:

slmgr.vbs /ipk <product key>

  • You will receive a pop-up window from Windows Script Host indicating the product key has been installed successfully.

Installed product key <product key> successfully.
  • Shortly after that, Windows 8 will automatically activate over the Internet.  Or, if you're impatient like me, just click the Activate button to activate windows immediately.

Windows is Activated
Since you're here, be sure to check out my article about building a super-fast Windows Server 2012 lab server for under $1,000!


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57 comments:

  1. UnknownAugust 19, 2012 at 3:28 AM

    Thank you it worked well!

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousAugust 19, 2012 at 4:22 AM

    Excellent. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousAugust 19, 2012 at 9:32 AM

    Thank you. Excellent posting. Resolved my issue.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousAugust 20, 2012 at 8:06 AM

    Superb, I downloaded the VL version accidentaly and could use the key from the regular version this way without reinstalling.

    ReplyDelete
  5. UnknownAugust 21, 2012 at 2:53 PM

    It worked well.
    Thanks for posting this article.

    ReplyDelete
  6. UnknownAugust 21, 2012 at 2:54 PM

    Thanks a lot for posting this solution.

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousAugust 22, 2012 at 1:01 PM

    Thanks a lot!
    Your solution works perfectly!

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousAugust 23, 2012 at 6:23 PM

    Worked Perfectly! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousAugust 24, 2012 at 9:59 PM

    Thanks for the info, worked perfectly. Now, I feel really sorry for the typical Windows 8 user as I had to find cmd.exe in system32 and runas administrator. How's a typical user going to know how to do this?

    ReplyDelete
  10. AnonymousSeptember 1, 2012 at 1:57 AM

    To last Anonymous, in Win8 just go to metro and type CMD or whatever you want and it will find it.

    Cheers for command

    ReplyDelete
  11. vikram reddySeptember 3, 2012 at 8:31 AM

    i tried it but it shows you need elivated privilages

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jeff Guillet - @exptaSeptember 3, 2012 at 9:41 AM

      The command must be run from an elevated CMD prompt.

      Delete
    2. AnonymousFebruary 1, 2013 at 11:30 PM

      AKA - Administrator Privileges - Right Click CMD and click "RUN AS ADMINISTRATOR"

      Delete
  12. AnonymousSeptember 4, 2012 at 8:47 AM

    Thank You, worked very well

    ReplyDelete
  13. AnonymousSeptember 14, 2012 at 1:38 PM

    works like a charm

    ReplyDelete
  14. AnonymousSeptember 18, 2012 at 2:05 PM

    Thanks! I thought my copy was jacked.

    ReplyDelete
  15. GirthDigglerSeptember 19, 2012 at 3:22 PM

    Awesome , great post!

    ReplyDelete
  16. satannikSeptember 27, 2012 at 2:07 PM

    I'm getting the message "the syntax of the command is incorrect" Can anybody help me out?

    ReplyDelete
  17. UnknownOctober 4, 2012 at 12:15 AM

    ITS SHOWING DNS DOESNT EXIST..PLZ HELP ME IN THIS REGARD

    ReplyDelete
  18. AnonymousOctober 6, 2012 at 6:47 AM

    Thank you so much..

    ReplyDelete
  19. AnonymousOctober 6, 2012 at 12:03 PM

    Hii.. can anyone help me, im going to activate my windows 8 pro, i tried many keys. but failed...it gives me this error:
    Error: 0xC004f025 Access Denied: the requested action requires elevated privileges

    please help me & provide me the valid key or send me valid key for windows 8 pro to my email..
    shall be thankful.
    email: developer866@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jeff Guillet - @exptaOctober 6, 2012 at 7:44 PM

      Run the command from an elevated CMD prompt. Please do not ask for product keys - get them from TechNet or MSDN.

      Delete
  20. AnonymousOctober 7, 2012 at 7:49 AM

    im not getting your pointed? wil u plz tell me in details, means what is elevated CMD???
    please explain me steps
    thnx in advnc

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jeff Guillet - @exptaOctober 7, 2012 at 9:49 AM

      http://pcsupport.about.com/od/windows-8/a/elevated-command-prompt-windows-8.htm

      Delete
  21. Arnout BoerOctober 9, 2012 at 11:53 AM

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  22. AnonymousOctober 10, 2012 at 7:43 AM

    Excelente gracias!

    ReplyDelete
  23. AnonymousOctober 27, 2012 at 10:07 AM

    Thank you very much!

    ReplyDelete
  24. AnonymousOctober 27, 2012 at 12:09 PM

    So much for usability....

    First Windows 8 ran like crap, needed to manually update intel chipset drivers.
    Then activating my legal copy required me to run a command line vbscript. I thought (hoped) vbscript was dead!
    Now i'm strugling to get the .net 3.5 feature installed, it keeps failing on me.

    I realy want to like this new version and I am trying to, but Microsoft is making this very hard.

    ReplyDelete
  25. AnonymousOctober 31, 2012 at 12:46 AM

    Great post, thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  26. UnknownNovember 1, 2012 at 3:05 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  27. AnonymousNovember 3, 2012 at 11:49 PM

    Hi All,

    i'm facing the same error and i couldn't activate windows 8 pro,after entering the proper commands its showing an error as below

    error code:0xc004f025 Access denied:the requested action required elevated privileges.

    Thanks in advance!

    ReplyDelete
  28. AnonymousNovember 8, 2012 at 8:18 AM

    Worked for me too! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  29. AnonymousNovember 13, 2012 at 12:23 PM

    I have this same error in Windows Server 2012. Easy fix, but who is the genius who thought the problem of invalid product key should produce the error "DNS name does not exist"

    How is this supposed to be helpful in diagnosing the problem?

    ReplyDelete
  30. AnonymousNovember 17, 2012 at 4:39 PM

    Fantastic post, thank you! Worked like a charm.

    ReplyDelete
  31. AnonymousNovember 24, 2012 at 1:57 PM

    I plan on bringing this up with Microsoft directly. They probably already know about it, but you know what they say. The squeaky wheel gets the grease.

    ReplyDelete
  32. AnonymousNovember 28, 2012 at 9:35 PM

    rockstar

    ReplyDelete
  33. AnonymousNovember 28, 2012 at 9:42 PM

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/938450?wa=wsignin1.0

    0092328
    0x80092328 DNS name does not exist. KMS Client This issue may occur if the KMS client cannot find the KMS SRV resource records in DNS. To work around this issue, follow the steps in the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article: 929826 Error message when you try to activate Windows Vista Enterprise, Windows Vista Business, Windows 7, or Windows Server 2008: "Code 0x8007232b"

    ReplyDelete
  34. AnonymousNovember 29, 2012 at 8:50 PM

    Works for 2012 Server, too...THANKS!

    ReplyDelete
  35. AnonymousDecember 2, 2012 at 6:18 AM

    awesome! thanks

    ReplyDelete
  36. AnonymousDecember 3, 2012 at 6:22 AM

    i am having the same error on activating office 2013 plz help

    ReplyDelete
  37. ChrisDecember 5, 2012 at 5:53 AM

    This was very helpful and worked the first try when getting an activation error with Windows server 2012. I second the motion that we should string up the person who wrote that error message ""DNS name does not exist" because of an invalid product key.

    ReplyDelete
  38. DaKidIndianDecember 5, 2012 at 8:12 PM

    Still doesn't fix the issue. I tried rebooting, the only thing it did was remove the Activate Windows watermark.
    Any ideas...?

    ReplyDelete
  39. AnonymousDecember 23, 2012 at 5:42 PM

    Worked like a charm. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  40. AnonymousDecember 28, 2012 at 8:52 AM

    Worked perfect, Windows Server 2012, thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  41. AnonymousJanuary 8, 2013 at 9:56 PM

    Thank you worked great for Windows Server 2012 Standard, cheers :)

    ReplyDelete
  42. AnonymousJanuary 21, 2013 at 7:18 PM

    THANK YOU!!! Worked like a charm! You are superb!

    ReplyDelete
  43. UnknownJanuary 26, 2013 at 7:26 AM

    hi I am getting this error 0xC004F025 access denied

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousFebruary 5, 2013 at 10:32 PM

      Make sure you start the command prompt with elevated permission, i.e. right-click cmd.exe and select "run as administrator."

      Delete
  44. MajorbaconJanuary 29, 2013 at 3:54 PM

    Access Denied? The step "Open an elevated CMD prompt" is usually the problem. You need to open the start screen, type cmd, Right-click the cmd icon and choose "run as administrator" from the bottom pane. (or as a shortcut, open the start screen, type cmd, and then press ctrl+shift+enter)

    ReplyDelete
  45. AnonymousFebruary 1, 2013 at 11:32 PM

    Doesn't work. When I click "Activate" on control panel, it still gives me the same error. Help plz?

    ReplyDelete
  46. AnonymousFebruary 8, 2013 at 3:16 PM

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  47. AnonymousFebruary 10, 2013 at 1:45 PM

    Thanks worked like a charm for me

    ReplyDelete
  48. AnonymousMarch 14, 2013 at 6:25 AM

    Worked great ! thanks bunches

    ReplyDelete
  49. AnonymousMarch 19, 2013 at 5:21 PM

    I want to know who the dork is that crapped out the new GUI? Seriously... terrible terrible terrible

    ReplyDelete
  50. alexMarch 20, 2013 at 12:27 PM

    I did it but error is showing in Windows server datacenter edition like
    run slui.exe 0x2a 0xCOO4F015 TO DISPLAY THE ERROR TEXT Error : 0xCOO4F015

    if you have idea please share.

    ReplyDelete
  51. AnonymousMarch 25, 2013 at 12:47 PM

    Thank you!!! Thank you!!! Thank you!!! Thank you!!! Thank you!!! Thank you!!!

    ReplyDelete
  52. AnonymousApril 5, 2013 at 2:49 PM

    Thank you. Worked great today for a VM I installed with 2012 Standard.

    ReplyDelete

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