My computer just told me it's not running genuine windows. How worried should I be?

[drakorex]

[No message]

 

[coolness]

don`t be worry
and if your windows while be defect at the moment you can try Linux Ubuntu and install wine than you can use every file you used before and ubtunu is free also
http://www.ubuntu.com/

 

[Rogue_Syst3m]

use remove wat 2.2.5.2

much easier

 

[foxgrey]

google "windows loader" first result in google should tell you all you need to know. easy.

 

[Lacius]

As foxgrey said, use Windows Loader if you are using Windows 7. The latest version as of this post is 2.0.0.

From the Readme:

Do you have the WAT update installed, KB971033? If yes you may have got flagged as non-genuine. In order to become genuine again just do the following.

Launch the loader application and select to uninstall
Restart the PC
Install the loader and restart the PC
Visit the following website to re-validate Windows: http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/validate/validatenow.aspx

 

[Porobu]

remove wat if you are on 7
Problem solved

 

[Fishaman P]

As a helpful answer:

Some genuine Windows installations are flagged as non-genuine because of a bug. You can either use your license key to re-activate, or run the partially-illegal program RemoveWAT.

Basically, after RemoveWAT, Windows doesn't care whether or not you are activated. Checks for being genuine? Gone.
License Key portion on System page? Gone. Nagging? Gone.

 

[Jasper07]

... You guys know it's not allowed to provide information about remove WAT in here right?

 

[sentinel5000]

This is not the place to talk about pirated OS and how to solve the problem of of not genuine. If u want that then google is your friend.

Now I'll advice you the same as coolness said. Use Ubuntu . I use it and dont miss windows at all, plus its free

http://ultimateedition.info/

 

[Aeter]

When computers start to talk to you, you should go see a shrink.

 

[Strider]

You should really provide more information.

Should the OS be genuine? Did you pay for the license?

In any case, yes, you should be worried. Case a) you paid for the license - you've been duped.

Case b) you didn't pay - well, if you can't trust your operating system, you'll never know what it does without you knowing.

Modifying your OS to say it's genuine might get rid of the message, but it will not make it legal or trustworthy.

In case you're asking if Microsoft cares... no.

 

[cris92x]

If your pc came preinstalled with windows and now all of a sudden it says its not genuine, you should be worried. Scan your computer for any malware or viruses and that should fix the problem.

 

[sentinel5000]

Its weird that a computer, with a pre-installed legal OS, has that kind of problems, he either has a pirated OS or that MS update screwed something up with his legal OS, if its legal. I saw cases where people with legal OS had this problem after the update too.

If your OS is legal, contact MS and search for a fix, if its not then u are on your own. Again get Ubuntu, u wont regret it

 

[Rogue_Syst3m]

do what lacius says, i had to do the same thing after installing sp1