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!


57 comments:

  1. Excellent. Thanks.

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  2. Thank you. Excellent posting. Resolved my issue.

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

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  4. It worked well.
    Thanks for posting this article.

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  5. Thanks a lot for posting this solution.

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  6. Thanks a lot!
    Your solution works perfectly!

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  7. Worked Perfectly! Thanks!

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  8. 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?

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

    Cheers for command

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  10. i tried it but it shows you need elivated privilages

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The command must be run from an elevated CMD prompt.

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

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  11. Thank You, worked very well

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  12. Thanks! I thought my copy was jacked.

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  13. Awesome , great post!

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

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

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  16. Thank you so much..

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

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

      Delete
  19. Excelente gracias!

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  20. Thank you very much!

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  21. 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.

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  22. Great post, thanks.

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  23. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  24. 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!

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  25. Worked for me too! Thanks!

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  26. 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?

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  27. Fantastic post, thank you! Worked like a charm.

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  28. 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.

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  29. 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"

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  30. Works for 2012 Server, too...THANKS!

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

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  32. 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.

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

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  34. Worked like a charm. Thank you!

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  35. Worked perfect, Windows Server 2012, thank you.

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

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

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  38. hi I am getting this error 0xC004F025 access denied

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

      Delete
  39. 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)

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

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  41. Thanks worked like a charm for me

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  42. Worked great ! thanks bunches

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

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  44. 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.

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  45. Thank you!!! Thank you!!! Thank you!!! Thank you!!! Thank you!!! Thank you!!!

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

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