Member Avatar for manchurianCEO

Please, before posting a useless answer just for the sake of saying something read the post.

I bought a laptop at a flea market "as is". No returns accepted. While installing the drivers for my printer, I got a message that said something like the OS in which I was attempting to install was not recognized so I realized the windows copy the computer has is not genuine. At the end I was able to install drivers and the printer's all-in-one software.

Will this be giving me trouble trying to install other genuine software to the point that some of them I will definetly not be able to install?

That is the question. Replies such as "just install a genuine copy of windows", "why don't you return the laptop?", "why don't you complain to the person who sold it to you?" do not answer my question.

Thanks

Edited by manchurianCEO because: typo
  • 2 Contributors
  • 4 Replies
  • 323 Views
  • 9 Hours Discussion Span
  • Latest Post Latest Post by manchurianCEO
thant.zin.7921 commented: help +0

Dani AI

Generated

Short answer: most non‑Microsoft (third‑party) installers do not query Microsoft’s validation service, so you will usually be able to install and run printer drivers, browsers, office suites from other vendors on a machine whose Windows 7 isn’t genuine. The pain points are Microsoft-managed channels and tools — Windows Update / Microsoft Download Center may require validation before offering optional downloads or some free Microsoft products. Microsoft: About Genuine Windows, WGA validation / downloads note. (support.microsoft.com)

As pointed out, expect the Microsoft ecosystem to be the source of installs that will refuse to proceed: historically Microsoft Security Essentials required genuine validation at setup, so that installer will deny installation on non‑genuine systems. Non‑genuine Windows also triggers the familiar watermark, activation nags and desktop/UX restrictions. These are documented by Microsoft and were reported when MSE launched. MSE validation reporting, Microsoft: what non‑genuine looks like. (computerworld.com)

Practical steps you can apply right now: (1) Check the download source — if it’s the Microsoft Download Center or delivered via Windows Update, plan on a validation check; (2) read the vendor’s download page — they will usually say if Windows validation is required; (3) test the installer in a throwaway VM (or spare HDD) before touching the laptop; (4) if a Microsoft installer fails, look for an official offline installer or a non‑Microsoft alternative (for antivirus, many vendors do not require Windows validation); (5) hiding the validation update delays the notification but doesn’t restore full access to Microsoft’s optional downloads and carries security/updatability tradeoffs. See Microsoft’s troubleshooting notes about activation/validation (including historic KB971033 behavior). (support.microsoft.com)

Bottom line for : you should be fine installing most third‑party products, but expect two classes of problems — (A) Microsoft downloads and some Microsoft tools that refuse to install without validation, and (B) ongoing nags and missing optional downloads. If you need guaranteed access to all Microsoft downloads and to stop the nagging, the only permanent remedy is a genuinely activated Windows; otherwise use the VM test workflow and prefer vendor installers that don’t rely on Microsoft validation. (support.microsoft.com)

Recommended Answers

All 4 Replies

Member Avatar for manchurianCEO

ok but what about non Microsoft yet genuine software?

Member Avatar for JorgeM

Once the genuine validation gets installed (from Windows Update), your OS is going to nag you to death and limitations will engage. I know of no third party software that will prevet from running. At least I haven't seen this.

Member Avatar for manchurianCEO

that shouldn't be a problem, so far I have hidden that update, yet I do not install any other updates. Unless my choice not to download them is overriden I should do just fine.

Again, my post is regarding entirely about 3rd party software's compatibility.

Edited by manchurianCEO
Be a part of the DaniWeb community

We're a friendly, industry-focused community of developers, IT pros, digital marketers, and technology enthusiasts meeting, networking, learning, and sharing knowledge.