Error 0x80070005, Access denied, Action requires elevated privileges

When trying to activate Windows 10, if you get an error code 0x80070005, then it’s an issue with UAC or User Account Control. The error message will say— Error 0x80070005, Access denied, The requested action requires elevated privileges. The error applies to both KMS client/MAK and KMS host.

Fix Windows Activation Error 0x80070005

Error 0x80070005, Access denied, The requested action requires elevated privileges

KMS or MAK are different types of keys used for Volume Activation in Windows 10. While it should work out of the box but because they are supposed to be run with elevated command prompt, but if they are run without proper permission, there will be access denied errors.

To resolve this, an admin will have to use the SLMGR command-line tool. The full form of SLMGR is the Software Licensing Management Tool (slmgr), a VBS file in Windows used for activate purposes.

Open Command Prompt with admin permission, and then run slmgr.vbs.

This will make sure that activation goes through smoothly. You will have to make sure to use proper options such as:

/ipk <ProductKey> or /ato [<Activation ID>]

In case you are still not able to get through the activation process, then you may want to check on the Security software. It is possible that the script is being blocked by the software on the computer because of suspicion. In Windows Security, it will be listed under Virus and threat protection > Protection history. Check if the script has been blocked, and if that’s the case, unblock it.

That said, since this more of IT related issue (KMS or MAK) if nothing works out, it would best to connect with your IT admin. Sometimes it is because of how the account is set up on the computer, and even with an admin account, you may not be able to resolve the problem.

I hope the post was useful to help you understand the problem, and resolve it.