Windows 7 Pro activation fails due to invalid character I replaced a failing hard drive and used the Windows boot drive created with a download from Microsoft Windows installed without a problem and when I went to enter the code for activating Windows, I
error code 80246013 on 8. 1 - Microsoft Community Hey Mr Bill Smithers, Juts to give an update: I didn't actually try to reinstall Windows Instead I procrastinated for a while then decided to go looking for a solution again that didn't involve reinstalling Windows, prior to giving up and then reinstalling Ha!