My server gets "Activate Windows" watermark every 24-ish hours

[ossodiseppia]

I've run the KMS38 scripts several times, but the water mark pops up at least once a day. A reboot will or running the script make it go away. Is it just me? If so, how can I resolve this? Thank you.

[thecatontheceiling]

Once the watermark appears again, run Check Activation Status option in the script and share full screenshot

[ossodiseppia]

Thank you for the most prompt reply. I have to go the low tech route as I can't do a screen shot.

[ossodiseppia]

Running it again fixes it for a bit.

I have a fixed IP address DNS is set to Loopback. I know what loopback means, but I do not know what it does to my Windows Server. The alternate DNS is my Router which gets DNS from Adguard that is on my Home Assistant "server".

[WindowsAddict]

@ossodiseppia
Activate with the KMS38 option, after that run remove the KMS38 protection option.
Then run the check activation status option and you will see system is activated and localhost 127.0.0.2 in the KMS address is not there.
Keep the system the same way, don't use any other KMS activator.
Let me know if it deactivates again.

[WindowsAddict]

Also, open command prompt as admin and enter

reg delete "HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-20\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SoftwareProtectionPlatform" /f

share screenshot.

[ossodiseppia]

What does removing the protection do?

[WindowsAddict]

What does removing the protection do?

It can help in resolving the issue if there is any corruption. The system will regenerate that registry key again later.

[thecatontheceiling]

I think they're asking what the remove KMS38 protection option does.

The KMS38 activation is vulnerable to being replaced by a normal 180 day KMS activator, which is why by default it'll "protect" the activation (sets KMS server to localhost & locks the HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SoftwareProtectionPlatform\55c92734-d682-4d71-983e-d6ec3f16059f\XXXXXXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXXXXXXXXXX\ registry key from edits and modifications).

WindowsAddict is telling you to remove the protection on that key and delete it to rule out any potential corruption in the data stored in said key which could cause random deactivations.

[ossodiseppia]

Thank you for this. It is most helpful. Please see the pictures below.

Picture of Status after activation

Picture of Status after removing KMS38 protection.

Everything looks ok here

I do not see the registry key that is mentioned.

Everything looks good here. Fingers crossed.

Thank you so much for your help and patience.

[WindowsAddict]

@ossodiseppia The key which I mentioned here #753 (comment) is different. If the system deactivates again, do what I told you, and then activate again, and let me know if the issue persists.

[ossodiseppia]

Indeed it is and I missed that. Well, it should be interesting. I nuked everything in

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SoftwareProtectionPlatform\

I'm gonna let the server chill for a few days and see if the watermark pops backup before moving forward with anything else.

Thank you all for your patience and help.

[thecatontheceiling]

I gave path to the wrong key (HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE instead of HKEY_USERS\blahblah), my bad

[ossodiseppia]

Thanks, it's ok. IF the thought is that I should re-install the OS, now would be the time to suggest it. This is a fresh install and I have yet to start using it for backups and a place to keep my music.

[WindowsAddict]

Indeed it is and I missed that. Well, it should be interesting. I nuked everything in

HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SoftwareProtectionPlatform\

I'm gonna let the server chill for a few days and see if the watermark pops backup before moving forward with anything else.

Thank you all for your patience and help.

The registry key that you have deleted wasn't supposed to be deleted.
You can restore that using https://app.box.com/s/bwdlhknu66es69fooki1rlno9ppumfph

[ossodiseppia]

It's baaaaaaaaack!

[thecatontheceiling]

Run the below command, as originally suggested by WindowsAddict:

reg delete "HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-20\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SoftwareProtectionPlatform" /f

Then activate with KMS38 again

Please let us know if Windows becomes deactivated again.

[WindowsAddict]

@ossodiseppia
Let me know if the command shows that this registry can't be deleted.

[ossodiseppia]

I am sorry for the late reply. I might have forgotten to reboot after changing the registry a couple of days ago. I'm the guy who puts his phone, keys or glasses down and can't find them two minutes later. There have been so many issues to resolve setting up my server and getting it to talk to my laptop and workstation, it's hard to remember what I've done and not done. It's something for you young folks to look forward to as you age.

As of today, no watermark. I'd like to leave this open for a couple more days, just to be sure.

Thank you for all of the patience and help! It is greatly appreciated. I'll be back in a couple of days.