Error code 0x8007007b - What is it?
Error code 0x8007007b will present itself when Windows users are trying to activate Windows. You may try to activate it through the update and security option, but it is likely that you will receive the same error code. Error code 0x8007007b may be presented when Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users try to upgrade and activate Windows 10 on their computer.
Common symptoms include:
- An error message will display that says Windows cannot be activated. The KMS host cannot be located in the DNS, please have the system administrator verify that the KMS is published correctly in DNS.
- Error 0x8007007b will be displayed, stating that the file or directory name or the volume label syntax is not correct.
Solution
Error Causes
There are multiple causes for the user to see this error code, including if a user is using volume-licensed media while installing a number of various Windows operating systems. This error may also be caused because the activation wizard cannot connect to a KMS host computer. It is likely that if the user has a volume-licensed form of media, they were likely given a MAK (multiple activation keys).
Further Information and Manual Repair
There are several ways to go about repairing error code 0x8007007b. It is important to try all of the methods, but if it is too difficult or you do not know what you are doing, please do contact a Windows repair technician. They will likely be able to fix the problem with ease.
Method One: Instead of KMS activation, use a Multiple Key Activation
When KMS activation is not used, and when there is not a KMS server, the product key type should then be changed to a MAK. For MSDN (Microsoft Developer Network) or TechNet, the SKUs that are listed on the media are generally volume-licensed media, and that means that the product key that is supplied is a Multiple Activation Key.
To change the KMS to a MAK, click Start, All Programs, Accessories, and then right-click on Command Prompt. Click Run as Administrator. If prompted for a password or confirmation, enter it now.
When the command prompt opens, type in the following command, and press enter after:
slmgr -ipk xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx (these x's are representative of the MAK product key).
Method Two
While on the desktop, press the Windows key and R. The Run window should appear, and then you should enter the following command: Slui 3. Press Enter and then wait for the window to appear. This window will ask for the operating system activation product key. Enter the product key and then press the Activate button. Reboot the computer. Now the Error Code 0x8007007b should be gone.
Method Three
Open the Command Prompt with access as administrator as mentioned previously. Enter the following command: sfc /scannow. The command will then complete its task. This will take a good bit of time, so leave the computer to do its work. The sfc must finish the scan. When the scan has finished, reboot the computer. Now you can check for activation. The error code should be gone.
Method Four: When the client can't locate a KMS host on the network to complete activation
This method for correction should be used when the network does have a KMS host computer setup, and the client is not able to locate the KMS host on the network to complete activation.
To verify that the computer does in fact have the KMS host installed. Click Start, All Programs, Accessories, and then right-click on Command Prompt. Run as administrator. If you are now prompted to enter a password or confirmation, do so. When the command prompt box comes up, type in the following command, and then press Enter: nxlookup -type=all_vlmcs._tcp>kms.txt
The command will generate a file, open this KMS file. The file will contain one or more entries. As a default, the KMS host server will dynamically register a DNS SRV server evidence once every 24 hours. In order to check the registry to ensure that this is happening, follow these steps:
- Click Start, type in regedit, and then press Enter.
- Locate the key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionSL and then click on it.
- The DisableDnsPublishing subkey should be present and have a value of 1. If it is missing, create a DWORD value by right clicking DisableDnsPublishing, click Modify, in the Value Data box type in 0, and then click Okay.
Method Five: Use An Automated Tool
If you wish to always have at your disposal a utility tool to fix these Windows 10 and other related issues when they do arise, download and install a powerful automated tool.