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Rebuild the Tokens.dat file

  • Article

When you troubleshoot Windows activation issues, you may have to rebuild the Tokens.dat file. This article describes in detail how to do this.

Resolution

To rebuild the Tokens.dat file, follow these steps:

  1. Open an elevated Command Prompt window: For Windows 10

    1. Open the Start menu, and enter cmd.
    2. In the search results, right-click Command Prompt, and the select Run as administrator.

    For Windows 8.1

    1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Search. Or, if you are using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, and then select Search.
    2. In the search box, enter cmd.
    3. Swipe across or right-click the displayed Command Prompt icon.
    4. Tap or click Run as administrator.

    For Windows 7

    1. Open the Start menu, and enter cmd.
    2. In the search results, right-click cmd.exe, and the select Run as administrator.

  2. Enter the list of commands that is appropriate for your operating system.

    For Windows 10, Windows Server 2016 and later versions of Windows, enter the following commands in sequence:

    net stop sppsvc
cd %Systemdrive%\Windows\System32\spp\store\2.0\
ren tokens.dat tokens.bar
net start sppsvc
cscript.exe %windir%\system32\slmgr.vbs /rilc

    For Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2, enter the following commands in sequence:

    net stop sppsvc
cd %Systemdrive%\Windows\System32\spp\store\
ren tokens.dat tokens.bar
net start sppsvc
cscript.exe %windir%\system32\slmgr.vbs /rilc

    For Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2, enter the following commands in sequence:

    net stop sppsvc
cd %Systemdrive%\Windows\ServiceProfiles\NetworkService\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\SoftwareProtectionPlatform
ren tokens.dat tokens.bar
net start sppsvc
cscript.exe %windir%\system32\slmgr.vbs /rilc

  3. Restart the computer.

More information

After you rebuild the Tokens.dat file, you must reinstall your product key by using one of the following methods:

  • At the same elevated prompt command, type the following command, and then press Enter:

    cscript.exe %windir%\system32\slmgr.vbs /ipk <Product key>

    Important

    Do not use the /upk switch to uninstall a product key. To install a product key over an existing product key, use the /ipk switch.

  • Right-click My Computer, select Properties, and then select Change product key.

For more information about KMS client setup keys, see KMS client setup keys.