What is ‘This copy of Windows is not genuine’ error in Windows 7/10?
If you are experiencing ‘This copy of Windows is not genuine error’ message in your Windows 7/10 desktop and looking for the solution to fix this, then you are in right place for the solution. Here, you will be guided with easy steps/methods to resolve the issue. Let’s starts the discussion.
‘This copy of Windows is not genuine’ error: It is common Windows problem usually occurred on Windows 7 or Windows 10 Operating System. This error message indicates you are running/using pirated version of Windows Operating System in your computer. It replaces your desktop wallpaper with Black background along with this error message showing usually at bottom-right corner of Windows desktop. Let’s take a look at error message.
“Windows 7
Build 7601
This copy of Windows is not genuine”
Several users reported about this issue and explained that faced this error after installing some updates in computer like Windows 7 KB971033 update on their Windows 7 computer. This Windows update includes ‘Windows Activation Technologies’ that helps detect your Windows Operating System. Once this technology detects your Windows OS copy is not genuine, you may receive this error on desktop and says ‘Windows 7 build 7601 this copy of Windows is not genuine’. In such case, you can try to fix the issue by uninstalling Windows 7 KB971033 update in order to remove the error. The same issue is occurred on PC/laptops with completely legitimate OEM version of Windows 7 installed from their device’s manufacturers, and it shows ‘Activation error’. Let’s take a look at some common error related to ‘Windows is not genuine’.
Some common ‘Windows is not genuine’ errors:
- “The copy of Windows you are using does not pass genuine validation.”
- “Activate Windows now” “The activation period has expired. Click this message to start activation.”
- “Windows is not genuine.” “Click this message to learn how to get genuine.”
- “Activate Windows” “Go to Settings to activate Windows.”
- “This copy of Windows is not genuine.” “You may be a victim of software counterfeiting.”
- “This copy of Microsoft Windows is not genuine.” “Your copy of Microsoft Windows must be validated as genuine.”
- “This computer is not running genuine Windows” “To use Windows without interruption, this computer needs to be running genuine Windows.”
- “You must activate today.” “Activate Windows now”
One core reason behind this error is your Windows OS that is not legitimate. This error can be occurred if you have installed Windows Operating System without a ‘Windows Valid Product Key’. Also, this error can also appeared after install some Windows updates like update KB971033 version. However, it is possible resolve the issue with our instructions. Let’s go for the solution.
How to fix This copy of Windows is not genuine error in Windows 7/10?
Method 1: Uninstall Windows update KB971033 version
As mentioned, this error is usually occurred due to update KB971033 version installed in computer. This update includes some features which detects your Windows OS is not genuine if you have installed pirated or copy of Windows OS. You can remove or fix this error in Windows 7 by uninstalling Windows update KB971033 in computer.
Step 1: Type ‘Windows Update’ in ‘Windows Search Box’ in Windows 7 and open it from results appear
Step 2: Once you are inside ‘Windows Update’ window, click on ‘View Installed updates’ in left pane, find and right-click on Windows update KB971033 version in list of updates, and select ‘Uninstall’. Follow on-screen instructions to finish uninstall process.
Step 3: Once done, restart your computer and perform license status resets of your computer using next method.
Method 2: Perform License Status reset in Windows 7
Once you have uninstalled ‘update KB971033’, then you need to perform reset licensing status of your computer. To do so, follow the steps below.
Step 1: Press ‘Windows + X’ keys on keyboard and select ‘Command Prompt as Administrator’
Step 2: Type ‘slmgr -rearm’ command and hit ‘Enter’ key to execute. Click on ‘OK’ option in the confirmation window if appears.
Step 3: Once executed, restart your computer and check if the error is removed or resolved.
Note: If the error is still persist, then you can repeat the above steps again but this time you need to run ‘slmgr /rearm’ command.
Method 3: Fix ‘This copy of Windows is not genuine error’ using ‘Registry Editor’
Step 1: Press ‘Windows + R’ keys on keyboard, type ‘regedit’ in the opened ‘Run’ dialog box and hit ‘Ok’ button to open ‘Registry Editor’
Step 2: Navigate to following path in left pane:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > Software > Microsoft > WindowsNT > Current version
Step 3: Now, in left pane, find and click on ‘SoftwareProtectionPlatform’ folder to see its contents in right pane
Step 4: Find and right-click on ‘SkipRearm’ key, and select ‘Modify’. Set its value from ‘0’ to ‘1’ and then hit ‘Ok’ to save the changes
Step 5: Once done, restart your computer and then repeat ‘Method 2’ again and check if the error is resolved.
If you run ‘slmgr -rearm’ or ‘slmgr /rearm’ command in Command prompt and you receive error saying ‘SLGMR is not recognized as an internal or external command’, then it might possible that you have entered incorrect commands, or you have entered commands in Command Prompt not opened with Administrator, or issue with ‘slmgr.vbs’ file. To fix this file, follow the steps below.
Step 1: Open ‘My Computer’ or ‘Computer’ and navigate to main drive ‘C:’ drive where you have installed Windows 7
Step 2: Now, go to ‘Windows > System32’ and find and right-click on ‘slmgr’ file, and rename it to ‘vbs’ file extension
Step 3: Once done, restart your computer and try running ‘slmgr -rearm’ or ‘slmgr /rearm’ command again using ‘Method 2’ and check if the issue is resolved.
Method 4: Turn OFF automatic Windows Updates
One possible way to remove this error is to turn OFF automatic Windows updates in Windows computer.
Step 1: Open ‘Windows Updates’ via ‘Windows Search Box’
Step 2: Once opened, click on ‘Change Settings’ in left pane, under ‘Important updates’, open the dropdown and select ‘Never check for updates (not recommended)’ from lists, and save the changes
Step 3: Once done, restart your computer and check if the error is resolved.
Method 5: Reconfigure Plug & Play Service
Sometimes, this type of error can be occurred if your computer’s policy is not configured properly and due to which it might be preventing certain services from being started in computer. You can make certain changes in your system’s policies in order to fix the issue.
Step 1: Press ‘Windows + R’ keys on keyboard, type ‘Rsop.msc’ in the opened ‘Run’ dialog box and hit ‘Ok’ button to open ‘Resultant Set of Policy’ window
Step 2: In the opened window, go to ‘Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings > System Services’ in left pane, and find and double-click on ‘Plug and Play’ to open its ‘Properties’
Step 3: In ‘Properties’ window, check ‘Automatic’ option in ‘Select Service Startup Mode’, and then save the changes and exit the window.
Step 4: Now, open ‘Run’ window again using ‘Step 1’ and enter ‘gpupdate/force’ command and then hit ‘Enter’ key to executed.
Step 5: Once done, restart your computer and check if the error is resolved.
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Conclusion
I am sure this post helped you on How to fix This copy of Windows is not genuine error in Windows 7/10 with several easy steps/methods. You can read & follow our instructions to do so. That’s all. For any suggestions or queries, please write on comment box below.
