Error code 0x80070426 in Windows indicates a licensing or activation issue.
Error code 0x80070426 in Windows indicates a licensing or activation issue.
I set up a new PC about a month ago and installed Windows onto the boot drive using a USB created with Microsoft's Media Creation Tool. I have a product key, but entering it isn't working—the activation screen says "We can't reach a critical Windows service." It suggests checking the internet connection, waiting a few minutes, and trying again. I've attempted to deactivate and reactivate services, but that hasn't resolved the issue.
Ensure all drivers are up to date before proceeding. If you choose not to install the code, Windows will prompt you to select the appropriate version for the software.
Windows comes pre-installed with all necessary drivers. The problem isn't installation, it's activation behavior. Even though the OS detects it's not active and reports an error, opening the activation settings still triggers the same issue.