Windows Instance Start Issues

  • "Password is not available"

    Solution:

    • Ensure the instance is in **Running** state.
    • Wait at least **4-5 minutes** after the instance starts.
    • Verify that the **EC2Config or EC2Launch service** is running:
      • Get-Service -Name EC2Config, EC2Launch
    • Use **AWS Systems Manager Session Manager** to reset the password.
  • "Password not available yet"

    Solution:

    • Wait at least **15 minutes** before retrying.
    • Ensure that the **IAM role assigned** allows `ec2:GetPasswordData`.
    • Check instance logs for password reset status:
      • Get-EC2ConsoleOutput -InstanceId i-xxxxxx
  • "Cannot retrieve Windows password"

    Solution:

    • Verify that the instance was **launched with a key pair**.
    • Use the **original private key** used during instance creation.
    • Ensure that **EC2Config** is installed on the instance.
    • If the password is still not available, **reset it manually**:
      • net user Administrator NewPassword123
  • "Waiting for the metadata service"

    Solution:

    • Check if the instance is **properly booted** by accessing the system logs.
    • Ensure that the **Instance Metadata Service (IMDSv2)** is enabled.
    • Try restarting the metadata service:
      • Restart-Service EC2Launch
  • "Unable to activate Windows"

    Solution:

    • Verify that the instance has **internet access**.
    • Check Windows activation status:
      • slmgr /dlv
    • Manually activate Windows using AWS KMS:
      • slmgr /ato
  • "Windows is not genuine (0x80070005)"

    Solution:

    • Ensure the instance is using an **official AWS Windows AMI**.
    • Re-run Windows activation:
      • slmgr /rearm && slmgr /ato
    • Verify that **Windows Licensing Service** is running:
      • Get-Service -Name sppsvc
  • "No Terminal Server License Servers available to provide a license"

    Solution:

    • Ensure the **Remote Desktop Licensing service** is running.
    • Apply a valid **RDS CAL (Client Access License)**.
    • Reset the licensing grace period:
      • reg delete "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server\RCM\GracePeriod" /f
  • "Some settings are managed by your organization"

    Solution:

    • Check **Group Policy settings**:
      • gpedit.msc → Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates
    • Reset **Windows Update Policies**:
      • REG DELETE "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate" /F
    • Use **Local Security Policy** to check for enforced settings.

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