Windows ... preventing activation, 0xc004d302, trusted data store ... rearmed

Question

Dear all
We're using a Windows Server 2012 R2 (DC of a Domain) and WDS (Windows Deployment Services) to deploy a Windows 8.1 edition with a MAK (Multiple activation key).
Deployment works by PXE booting and deploying the original install.wim (from the .iso) from the WDS Server.
If we try to activate the deployed Windows on the client PC we experience the following:
1. Activation in the GUI ends with error "Windows has detected a change to the system files that is preventing activation."
2. Command line, slmgr /dli ends with "Error: 0xc004d302 on a Computer running Microsoft Windows non-core edition, run slui.exe 0x2a 0xc004d302 to display the error text"
3. Command line slui.exe 0x2a 0xc004d302 ends with the error "The security processor has reported that the trusted data store was rearmed.
Hence we cannot activate Windows.
Our Windows copy and our licenses (MAK key) were purchased thru official channels.
We urgently need this to work.
Any help is much appreciated.
Dominique, Zurich, Switzerland.

Answer 1

Hello,
Are we running slmgr /rearm?  You may see this error if slmgr /rearm was run and the machine was not rebooted after that and then activation queries or attempts were made.
Also check the permissions on the \Crypto\RSA\MachineKeys
cacls %systemdrive%\ProgramData\Microsoft\Crypto\RSA\MachineKeys
post the results.
Thanks, Darrell Gorter [MSFT] This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.