Fix 0x80070005 Access Denied Error in Windows/Office

You may see "We're sorry, something went wrong... (0x80070005)" or "0x80070005 - Access is denied" when activating Windows or Microsoft 365. This error occurs when the system cannot access required registry keys, service files, or due to account conflicts.

Fix the error

Rename tokens.dat and repair Office:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.

2. Stop the Software Protection service:

net stop sppsvc

3. Press Win+R, paste this path, and press Enter:

%SystemDrive%\Windows\System32\spp\store\2.0

4. Rename tokens.dat to tokens.old.

5. Restart the service:

net start sppsvc

6. Go to Settings > Apps > Installed apps > Microsoft 365 > Modify > Online Repair.

7. Restart the computer and try activation again.

If the error persists:

Fix registry permissions for Windows activation:

1. Run regedit as Administrator.

2. Navigate to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SoftwareProtectionPlatform

3. Right-click the key, select Permissions, then click Advanced.

4. Click Add, then Select a principal.

5. Type SELF, click Check Names, then OK.

6. Grant Full Control, check "Replace all child object permission entries", and click OK.

7. Restart and retry activation.

If the error persists:

Grant NETWORK SERVICE permissions:

1. In regedit (as Administrator), navigate to the same SoftwareProtectionPlatform key.

2. Right-click, select Permissions, then Advanced, and click Add.

3. Type NETWORK SERVICE, click Check Names, then OK.

4. Grant Full Control and enable inheritance replacement.

5. Restart Office and try activation.

If the error persists:

Run system file repairs:

sfc /scannow
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Restart after both commands complete.

If the error persists:

Verify your account. Go to Settings > Accounts > Access work or school. If an account listed does not match the one you use at office.com, disconnect it, restart, and retry activation.

Temporarily disable third-party antivirus and test. If activation succeeds, add Office activation components to your antivirus exclusions.

Last resort:

Run the Microsoft 365 activation troubleshooter or uninstall Office using the official uninstall tool, then reinstall from your account portal.

Verify activation

In an Office app (Word, Excel), click File > Account. It should show "Product Activated" with your license details. For Windows, go to Settings > System > Activation. The status should show "Windows is activated."