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0xC004F074 is Microsoft's "No Key Management Service (KMS) could be contacted" error. KMS is how company computers activate; a single-PC key like yours does not use it. On a personal PC it usually means Windows is still set up for KMS, or something is blocking the connection. The key itself is usually fine.
1. Enter your own key again
Open Settings > System > Activation > Change product key and type the 25-character key from your delivery email, so Windows stops looking for a KMS server.
2. Check the system clock
An incorrect date or time zone breaks the secure connection to the activation server. Open Settings > Time & language > Date & time, turn on Set time automatically, and try again.
3. Check what is between you and Microsoft
A VPN, a corporate proxy or an aggressive firewall can block the activation endpoint. Disconnect the VPN, activate, then reconnect.
4. Activate from the command line
Open Command Prompt as administrator and run slmgr /ato. It forces an activation attempt and often returns a more specific error than the Settings app does. Send us whatever it says.
5. If the machine is on a company domain
Domain-joined machines are sometimes pointed at an internal KMS server that will not accept a single-machine key like yours. Your IT administrator will know.
