The Tokens.dat file in the Windows operating system is a digitally signed file, which stores most of the Windows activation files. All files together have a digital signature that prevents tokens.dat be replaced on other machines, in this case, if used on different machines, will ask for online activation.
Sometimes the Tokens.dat file may get corrupted as a result of which Windows Activation may not take place successfully. In such a case, you may want to troubleshoot Windows Activation. Now when you are troubleshooting Windows Activation problems, you may have to rebuild the Tokens.dat file.
This will show you how to rebuild the Tokens.dat file in Windows.
Rebuild the Tokens.dat file in Windows 8 The
activation tokens file for Windows 8 is typically located at:C:\Windows \ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WSLicense
Open an
elevated command prompt windows from the WinX Menu, and type each of the following commands one after the other. After typing in each command, hit
Enter.
net stop sppsvc
cd %windir%\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WSLicense
ren tokens.dat tokens.bar
net start sppsvc
cscript.exe %windir%\system32\slmgr.vbs /rilc
Restart the computer.
Rebuild the Tokens.dat file in Windows 7The
activation tokens file for Windows 7 is typically located at:
C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\NetworkService\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\ SoftwareProtectionPlatform\tokens.dat.
Open an
elevated command prompt window and type each of the following commands one after the other. After typing in each command, hit
Enter.
net stop sppsvc
cd %windir%\ServiceProfiles\NetworkService\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\SoftwareProtectionPlatform
ren tokens.dat tokens.bar
net start sppsvc
cscript.exe %windir%\system32\slmgr.vbs /rilc
Restart the PC.
Note: After you rebuild the Tokens.dat file,
you will have to re-enter and reactivate your copy of Windows by entering the product key. You can do so via:
Right-click Computer >
Properties >
Change product key OR you could simply type the following in an
elevated CMD and hit
Enter, as suggested in
KB2736303:
cscript.exe %windir%\system32\slmgr.vbs /ipk
Finally, to see the licensing status of your Windows installation type
slmgr.vbs /dlv in search bar and hit
Enter.
There is an easy way to backup your Windows and Office Activation Tokens files with
Advanced Tokens Manager if you feel the need to do so.
