Fern from WV writes:
Why do I keep getting the message that my Windows 7 is not genuine? How can I fix this? It came on my Gateway computer that I bought in Dec. 2010.
Windows 7 includes a Windows Genuine Advantage checker which verifies that your copy of Windows is legally licensed. However, sometimes there is an error which causes Windows to forget it is registered – but there is an easy fix.
The first step is to look at the side of your computer, or on the bottom for a Windows Authenticity Label. This label will show your Windows 7 serial number. Write down the serial number.
Once the serial number is written down, click the Start button and in the search box type: Activate Windows
In this window you can enter in your product key and proceed with activation. You may need to click the Change product key button and type in the product key again. Once activated, you should receive the below message and will no longer be prompted that your copy is not genuine.
Hope this helps!
~Tim
Tags: activation error, windows 7 genuine, windows activation, windows genuine, windows genuine advantage
It would be nice if that were the case, but Dell and computers of some other company’s can not be activated so, if there is installed on Windows 7. I have officially bought a new Dell, but on this label is a completely different number, than what the factory has been activated.
Great tip! As an additional help on this, instead of writing down the number from the tag on the bottom of your laptop (or on the back of your desktop computer) use the camera on your cell phone and take a quick picture of it. This works great for anything that is too small of print to make out also, click, open, and enlarge on your phone’s screen!
There’s a lot of piracy going on these days…I’ve run into it before and if it’s a pirated or hacked copy of Windows, no amount of changing the product key will help activate it. The only solution Microsoft will give is charge you full price for a valid version of Windows.
If the version is legitimate, that message usually never pops up unless a re-installation has occurred or some other system change.
Well the problem is, that the employees of these online backup companies have full access to our private files..I read it on wikipedia, there have been many incidents where insiders violate privacy!
You ought to actually think about working on creating this site into a serious authority on this market. You certainly have the knowledge on the subjects everyone seems to be looking for on this blog anyhow and you might even earn a buck off of some banners. Only a thought, good luck in whatever you do!
I would love to just be able to key in Windows number on bottom of my computer but it’s worn & I can’t read it..I bought my Compaq in 2010. Never had a problem till now…Black screen & constant messages that Windows not genuine
Please help!
Thanks, Karen
I did as you instructed but it said that number is being used by another computer. Any other ideas?