Member Avatar for 1868

Has anyone else been getting pop-ups saying 'This Computer is not running genuine windows' on Windows 7 recently ?

Is it real or fake ?

I m using Windows 7 Ultimate.
This pop-up contradicts the text in the system control panel which says 'Windows is activated'

Any ideas ?

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Thread by describes the classic mismatch: a desktop pop-up saying "This computer is not running genuine Windows" while System > Properties reports "Windows is activated." That symptom usually falls into two buckets: genuine activation/validation failures (bad update, KMS/volume-license mis-match, or corrupted activation files) or spoofed/fake warnings from malware or tampered system components. Microsoft recorded a real-world incident where an update to Windows Activation Technologies (KB971033) caused false "not genuine" notifications on some volume‑licensed Windows 7 systems and published the event IDs and exact remediation steps. (learn.microsoft.com)

Useful, non-destructive checks that separate a real activation problem from a fake popup:

  • Confirm the control‑panel activation line (System > Properties).
  • Inspect license details and expiration with the Software Licensing tool. Run these from an elevated command prompt:
slmgr.vbs /dli
slmgr.vbs /dlv
slmgr.vbs /xpr
slmgr.vbs /ato
  • Check Event Viewer (Application) for Microsoft‑Windows‑Security‑SPP and Windows Activation Technologies events (IDs such as 8196, 8208, 8209) to see whether the platform is reporting genuine-state changes. (learn.microsoft.com)

When malware or corrupted files are suspected (as noted by ), run a full anti‑malware sweep (including an offline/boot scan). Microsoft documents that third‑party software or tampering with protected system files can break activation. If file corruption is suspected, repair the image and protected files before reactivation:

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /RestoreHealth
sfc /scannow

Follow with the slmgr checks above. (support.microsoft.com)

If a KMS/volume scenario is present and KB971033 is installed, Microsoft’s recommended remedy is to uninstall KB971033 and then rebuild activation tokens and reactivate (the KB lists the exact wusa/uninstall and token‑cleanup commands and the KMS client keys to use). If a non‑genuine activator or pirated key was previously used (raised by ), note that such methods alter activation components, cause recurring notifications, and carry security risk; the supported resolution is a legitimate license or full reinstall. For authoritative procedures and the KB971033 rebuild commands, see Microsoft’s guidance. (learn.microsoft.com)

Recommended Answers

All 5 Replies

Member Avatar for jak0b

It can be an error in Microsoft's servers - you should contact them. :)

Member Avatar for dee101g

Have you tried running a scan with your anti-malware suite? An additional scan with Malwarebytes? Sometimes this is a malware message and not one from Windows.

Member Avatar for 1868

Yup.scanning has solved my problem.thanx all :)

Member Avatar for JamesWright13

if some one is install windows from unregistered software source then it is not genuine software having no registered certificate but still computer runs the window. it does not provide the security to the system, is it wise to install such softwares?

Member Avatar for dee101g

if some one is install windows from unregistered software source then it is not genuine software having no registered certificate but still computer runs the window. it does not provide the security to the system, is it wise to install such softwares?

There is a difference between unregistered software and software that does not have or is not eligible for a valid license. In the US (where I am writing from), registration is not required to have a warranty on items purchased, though some software vendors would require registration to access program updates. Unlicensed / pirate software is never legal here.

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