Windows 10 ESU Activation Error 0x80041002: How to Fix the Local Registry Issue

Windows 10 ESU activation error 0x80041002 occurs when Windows cannot access required WMI or licensing data during Extended Security Updates activation. The error often appears as a local registry connection failure and blocks ESU activation completely. In this guide, you’ll learn how to repair WMI, fix licensing components, and successfully activate Windows 10 ESU.

This error usually appears even when you are logged in as an administrator and prevents ESU activation from completing. In most cases, the problem is related to damaged WMI (Windows Management Instrumentation) or broken licensing components required by Windows activation.

Quick Fixes (For Fast Results)

If you want a quick overview before diving into the steps:

• Ensure Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) is running
• Verify and repair the WMI repository
• Rebuild WMI if the repository is corrupted
• Re-register Windows licensing and activation files
• Install all ESU prerequisite updates
• Reinstall and activate the ESU product key

Follow the detailed steps below in order for the best results.

What Is Windows 10 ESU Activation Error 0x80041002?

Error 0x80041002 (WBEM_E_NOT_FOUND) means Windows cannot find required WMI classes or registry data during the ESU activation process.

Since Windows activation and licensing rely heavily on WMI, any corruption or missing components can cause this error.

Common Causes

• Corrupted or inconsistent WMI repository
• Windows Management Instrumentation service not running
• Broken or unregistered licensing DLL files
• Missing ESU prerequisite updates
• Incorrect permissions in WMI namespaces

Before starting, make sure:

• You are signed in as an Administrator
• You have a system restore point or backup

Step 1: Check If WMI Service Is Running

WMI must be active for ESU activation to work.

1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter
2. Locate Windows Management Instrumentation
3. Ensure:
   • Status: Running
   • Startup type: Automatic

You can also verify using Command Prompt (Admin):

sc query winmgmt
net start winmgmt

Also confirm these services are running:

• Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
• DCOM Server Process Launcher

This ensures Windows can access WMI components required for activation.

Step 2: Verify and Repair the WMI Repository

A corrupted WMI repository is the most common cause of error 0x80041002.

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator
2. Run:

winmgmt /verifyrepository

If the result shows repository is inconsistent, repair it:

winmgmt /salvagerepository

Verify again:

winmgmt /verifyrepository

If it is still inconsistent, reset it completely:

winmgmt /resetrepository

Restart your computer after this step.

This repairs missing or damaged WMI data used by Windows activation.

Step 3: Rebuild the WMI Repository (Full Repair)

If repairing does not work, perform a full WMI rebuild.

Run these commands in Command Prompt (Admin):

net stop winmgmt
cd /d %windir%\system32\wbem
rename Repository Repository.old
for /f %s in ('dir /b /s *.dll') do regsvr32 /s %s
for /f %s in ('dir /b *.mof *.mfl') do mofcomp %s
net start winmgmt

Restart your system.

This completely rebuilds the WMI repository and restores all required classes and providers.

Step 4: Re-Register Windows Licensing Components

If licensing files are broken or unregistered, ESU activation will fail.

Run the following commands one by one:

regsvr32 slc.dll
regsvr32 slcprxy.dll
regsvr32 licdll.dll
regsvr32 sppwinob.dll

Click OK on any confirmation dialogs and reboot.

This restores Windows activation and fixes licensing-related issues.

Step 5: Ensure ESU Prerequisite Updates Are Installed

Windows 10 ESU activation requires specific updates.

Make sure these are installed (especially on LTSC and Enterprise editions):

• KB4474419 – SHA-2 code signing support
• KB4490628 – Servicing Stack Update
• Latest cumulative update before ESU activation

You can download missing updates from the Microsoft Update Catalog.

This ensures Windows can securely validate ESU licensing during activation.

Step 6: Reinstall the ESU Key and Activate

After fixing WMI and prerequisites, reinstall your ESU key.

slmgr /ipk <your-ESU-key>
slmgr /ato

If activation still fails, run:

slui.exe 0x2a 0x80041002

This opens a dialog with additional diagnostic details.

Step 7: Check WMI Namespace and Permissions

If activation still fails:

1. Press Windows + R, type wbemtest
2. Click Connect
3. Enter:

root\cimv2\softwarelicensing

If the connection fails, permissions or namespaces are broken.

To fix:

• Open Computer Management
• Go to Services and Applications → WMI Control
• Open Properties → Security
• Grant Administrators full permissions to the root namespace and subnamespaces

Step 8: Re-Register the Software Licensing WMI Provider (Advanced Fix)

If slmgr /ato fails due to missing licensing WMI classes:

net stop sppsvc
cd %windir%\system32\spp
mofcomp sppobjs.mof
mofcomp sppobjs.mfl
net start sppsvc

Restart your PC.

This restores the Software Licensing Service WMI provider used by ESU activation.

How to Confirm Windows 10 ESU Activation Is Successful

After completing all steps:

1. Run:

slmgr /ato

2. Verify activation details:

slmgr /dlv

Successful activation means:

• No error 0x80041002
• ESU license status shows as Licensed
• No WMI or registry errors appear

Why Does Windows 10 ESU Activation Fail With Error 0x80041002?

This error occurs when Windows cannot access required WMI licensing data in the local registry. The most common causes are a corrupted WMI repository, missing ESU prerequisite updates, or broken licensing components.

FAQs

What is Windows 10 ESU activation error 0x80041002?

Windows 10 ESU activation error 0x80041002 occurs when the system cannot access required WMI or local registry components needed for Extended Security Updates activation.

Why does Windows 10 ESU activation fail with error 0x80041002?

This error usually happens due to a corrupted WMI repository, broken licensing components, missing ESU prerequisite updates, or incorrect WMI permissions.

Does error 0x80041002 indicate a registry problem?

Yes, error 0x80041002 often appears as “error connecting to the local registry,” but the root cause is typically damaged WMI data rather than the registry itself.

Can I fix Windows 10 ESU activation error 0x80041002 without reinstalling Windows?

Yes, repairing or rebuilding the WMI repository and re-registering licensing components usually resolves the issue without requiring a Windows reinstall.

Is administrator access required to fix ESU activation error 0x80041002?

Yes, administrator privileges are required because WMI repair, licensing re-registration, and ESU activation commands need elevated permissions.

Does rebuilding WMI affect installed programs or data?

No, rebuilding the WMI repository does not remove installed applications or personal data, but it resets system management information used by Windows services.

Which Windows versions are affected by ESU error 0x80041002?

This error commonly affects Windows 10 Enterprise, Education, and LTSC editions that use Extended Security Updates after end of support.

Can missing Windows updates cause ESU activation error 0x80041002?

Yes, missing prerequisite updates such as SHA-2 support or servicing stack updates can prevent ESU activation and trigger error 0x80041002.

How do I confirm Windows 10 ESU activation is successful after fixing the error?

You can confirm successful ESU activation by running slmgr /ato and verifying the license status using slmgr /dlv without receiving error 0x80041002.

The Windows 10 ESU activation error 0x80041002 is almost always caused by damaged WMI or licensing infrastructure. By repairing or rebuilding WMI, reinstalling ESU prerequisites, and re-registering activation components, you can restore normal activation and keep your system secure beyond Windows 10’s end of support.