Genuine Windows 7 turns non-genuine

[TheCruncher]

I thought I share my experience with this forum in case anyone will have the same situation in the future.

Some time ago I purchased a legit Windows 7 Ultimate N key from the reddit community. Cost was 15 USD.

I had installed all updates including the Windows genuine tool KB971033 and my OS passed the genuine test.

I had also run all the "slmgr" commands and got all positive results. Fully activated, retail version, permanently activated and 3 rearm counts.

Yesterday I installed a software named Free Screencast, which is a freeware recommended on many legit software site, to make webcam recordings.

My AV warned me several times during installation that they had neutralized several suspicious files and potential unwanted programs.

The software also installed, without warning me, Opera, Chromium, a weather gadget and some more, which I was able to successfully uninstall afterwards.

Then at midnight my desktop background turned black and I got the message in the bottom right corner, that my windows wasn't genuine.

I had noticed a few hours earlier already that my Firefox had reset itself to factory install.

I have a program called Advanced Tokens Manager which allows to make a back up of your Windows activation to auto reinstall it to the same PC after you did a repair or upgrade.

I already had a back up and tried to apply it, which showed as successful, but my OS still didn't pass the genuine test.

So I send a message with screenshots of the genuine fail to the seller of the Windows key, and within a few minutes I was sent a new key.

This key also didn't pass the genuine test.

Next he sent me the following instructions, which I applied successful and my windows passed the genuine test again, and SLMGR shows again all positives.

Here's what to do if you continue to get "Windows is not genuine" error even though you've inserted a new key, this only works for any edition of Windows 7 (For this to work you will need a new key)

Open command prompt with admin privilges. Always do this when command prompt needs to be run. The best way to do so is to click Start -> Run -> CMD (make sure you run as administrator)

Type in 'slmgr.vbs /upk'.This will uninstall the current key in Windows. Restart your P.C. Run CMD again.

Type in 'slmgr.vbs /rearm'. This resets the time needed to activate Windows, and will reset the Windows Genuine Advantage issue, if its there. Restart your P.C.

Run CMD again. Type in 'slmgr.vbs /ipk <product key here>' where product key represents your product key, including dashes.

Restart your P.C. when this finishes. Go to Control Panel -> System and Security -> System and scroll and activate Windows. It may take a moment or two, but it should come back as fully activated

Then today I started searching on the web and found this.

[Fix] Windows 7 is not Genuine Error Message, Make It Original and Activated Again

So it seems that it is a common issue with legal Windows and I assume that my problem was caused by the Free Screencast software.

Feel free to share your opinion, otherwise it may be some help if someone finds himself in the same situation.

Edited December 31, 2015 by TheCruncher

[Ks45672]

If it only costed $15 bucks, it probably wasn't genuine in the first place....

[Crossy]

If it only costed $15 bucks, it probably wasn't genuine in the first place....

Exactly.

That said, my definitely genuine W7 Pro decided the other day that it had detected a hardware change and needed re-activating. It re-activated just fine but evidently something is going on with our friends at MS.

[TheCruncher]

If it only costed $15 bucks, it probably wasn't genuine in the first place....

The image to install the Windows was downloaded from the technet site, which is an OFFICAL Microsoft software distributor.

There were no hacks applied, only the key entered, and online activated.

Windows " Genuine verification Tool" KB971033 was installed and it verified the installation as genuine.

The commands

slmgr /dlv

slmgr /dli

slmgr /xpr

Were ran on several occasions during the 2 month, the last time just 2 days ago, and always gave ALL positive results.

So you think Microsoft doesn't know if the installation is genuine?

Did you even bother to read the link I posted, where it is said that this happens frequently with GENUINE installations, and how to fix it without applying any illegal hacks?

The death give away should have been when my Firefox completely factory reset itself minutes after the installation of Free Screencast, since FF has nothing to do with Windows legality.

By the way, do you think Microsoft is not aware of the Reddit community which runs for years already selling Windows LEGIT keys, and can't shut it down?

https://www.reddit.com/r/microsoftsoftwareswap/

If you do a search for it on the official Microsoft/Windows support forum, you will find that the question about the Reddit legality a few times already, and that a Microsoft contributor admitted that the keys are perfectly legal.

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows8_1-windows_install/questions-about-the-software-swap-reddit/b758b99d-9471-4393-8f5c-6d33eace0c77?auth=1

Edited December 31, 2015 by TheCruncher

[gandalf12]

$15 is not genuine which is why you have the problem. Purchase it from Microsoft and you know it will be original but it will cost more that what you paid

Edited December 31, 2015 by gandalf12

[Crossy]

Please don't discuss methods of making iffy copies of Windows work.

1 post removed.

[Don Mega]

Please don't discuss methods of making iffy copies of Windows work.

1 post removed.

Sorry boss. my bad.

Edited December 31, 2015 by Don Mega

[Crossy]

No worries Don.

This whole thread is treading a fine line, the abuse of Technet keys was one of the reasons Microsoft withdrew this valuable facility leaving the professionals with much reduced access to full versions of MS software for testing and internal use purposes.

Sharing / sale of Technet keys always breached the terms and conditions but MS turned a blind eye. Some of my old W7 Pro Technet keys still work and activate today (Ultimate and Enterprise stopped some time back).

[gandalf12]

Please don't discuss methods of making iffy copies of Windows work.

1 post removed.

All software is a copy, the company has the master. I essentially make a copy every week when I back up my hard drive

[Don Mega]

Please don't discuss methods of making iffy copies of Windows work.

1 post removed.

All software is a copy, the company has the master. I essentially make a copy every week when I back up my hard drive

every week after your "back up".... do you need to use a 3rd party hack to make your still work ?

I think that is what Crossy was talking about cause I mentioned somethng to enable a dodgy copy to keep working.

[TheCruncher]

Anyone bothered to read the response on the Microsoft forum?

No third party hack involved.

It is the same as when you buy an electronic appliance at a discount price from a acquaintance who works with Samsung. The appliance is normally only for the Samsung employees and not for sale, but you don't do anything illegal.

The fact that they create a backdoor, and some people make use of it, doesn't make it illegal.

[Don Mega]

Anyone bothered to read the response on the Microsoft forum?

No third party hack involved.

It is the same as when you buy an electronic appliance at a discount price from a acquaintance who works with Samsung. The appliance is normally only for the Samsung employees and not for sale, but you don't do anything illegal.

The fact that they create a backdoor, and some people make use of it, doesn't make it illegal.

if it aint illegal why the need for the backdoor ?

[TheCruncher]

Anyone bothered to read the response on the Microsoft forum?

No third party hack involved.

It is the same as when you buy an electronic appliance at a discount price from a acquaintance who works with Samsung. The appliance is normally only for the Samsung employees and not for sale, but you don't do anything illegal.

The fact that they create a backdoor, and some people make use of it, doesn't make it illegal.

if it aint illegal why the need for the backdoor ?

Don't be foolish, it is Microsoft that created the backdoor, nobody else.

It is the same as at the front of the Samsung factory are tv's sold at retail price, but if you have relative working with Samsung, you can pick them up at the backdoor at factory price.

I feel you knew very well what I was talking about, just wanted to troll the thread.

[gandalf12]

Please don't discuss methods of making iffy copies of Windows work.

1 post removed.

All software is a copy, the company has the master. I essentially make a copy every week when I back up my hard drive

every week after your "back up".... do you need to use a 3rd party hack to make your still work ?

I think that is what Crossy was talking about cause I mentioned somethng to enable a dodgy copy to keep working.

No definitely dont. It seems as if Crossy has an illegal key. My last reference was in respect of the moderators comment of copies. You always buy a copy even if it is direct from Microsoft

Edited December 31, 2015 by gandalf12

[2fishin2]

Like I said before $15 does not buy you a legal copy of windows.

[TheCruncher]

Like I said before $15 does not buy you a legal copy of windows.

Only for you once again.It are 100% genuine keys.

Andre Da Costa replied on

• MVP
• Insider
• Community Moderator
• Wiki Author
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They are likely reselling MSDN licenses at too good to be true prices.

About MSDN or TechNet Product Keys

They are genuine Microsoft product keys, they are actually retail licenses,but it is intended for a particular product channel either the Microsoft Software Developer Network (MSDN) or TechNet for IT Professionals who pay a subscription fee.

<snip>

Unfortunately, regardless of the licensing terms, persons still abuse the program, either giveaway product keys or resell it on auction sites. Microsoft licenses it in good faith that customers won't do so, but I guess human nature wins out.

Edited December 31, 2015 by TheCruncher

[manarak]

I had a very strange issue some 2 weeks ago with my W7, where after updating the computer rebooted and informed me my windows wasn't genuine and opened a "temporary desktop" for me because it wouldn't let me access my own files.

I had never seen this before.

Luckily, it disappeared after rebooting again.

[Don Mega]

Anyone bothered to read the response on the Microsoft forum?

No third party hack involved.

It is the same as when you buy an electronic appliance at a discount price from a acquaintance who works with Samsung. The appliance is normally only for the Samsung employees and not for sale, but you don't do anything illegal.

The fact that they create a backdoor, and some people make use of it, doesn't make it illegal.

if it aint illegal why the need for the backdoor ?

Don't be foolish, it is Microsoft that created the backdoor, nobody else.

It is the same as at the front of the Samsung factory are tv's sold at retail price, but if you have relative working with Samsung, you can pick them up at the backdoor at factory price.

I feel you knew very well what I was talking about, just wanted to troll the thread.

Ohhh the backdoor to your "genuine" key for $15 ?

[TheCruncher]

Anyone bothered to read the response on the Microsoft forum?

No third party hack involved.

It is the same as when you buy an electronic appliance at a discount price from a acquaintance who works with Samsung. The appliance is normally only for the Samsung employees and not for sale, but you don't do anything illegal.

The fact that they create a backdoor, and some people make use of it, doesn't make it illegal.

if it aint illegal why the need for the backdoor ?

Don't be foolish, it is Microsoft that created the backdoor, nobody else.

It is the same as at the front of the Samsung factory are tv's sold at retail price, but if you have relative working with Samsung, you can pick them up at the backdoor at factory price.

I feel you knew very well what I was talking about, just wanted to troll the thread.

Ohhh the backdoor to your "genuine" key for $15 ?

I know it touches a nerve when one has paid tenfold for actually the same, but that is still no reason to troll a thread.

[bendejo]

As comes up in nearly all "should I upgrade to Win 10?" threads Win 7 is old, was released in 2009 and that in itself is reason to upgrade (note: I do not support this opinion). $15 for something old and arguably outdated? I'm sure there are those who would argue it is $15 too much. I don't know the circumstances by which the seller came by the version he sold to the OP, but he could have been just someone looking to clean up old junk and pocket a few bucks.

There was a time when certain companies (remember Borland?) would offer upgrades to their software for $10, which was incentive to seek out-of-date versions for a few bucks. So, you were able to get the newest version (retail $120) for less than $20.

[Don Mega]

if it aint illegal why the need for the backdoor ?

Don't be foolish, it is Microsoft that created the backdoor, nobody else.

It is the same as at the front of the Samsung factory are tv's sold at retail price, but if you have relative working with Samsung, you can pick them up at the backdoor at factory price.

I feel you knew very well what I was talking about, just wanted to troll the thread.

Ohhh the backdoor to your "genuine" key for $15 ?

I know it touches a nerve when one has paid tenfold for actually the same, but that is still no reason to troll a thread.

no nerve touched here as I paid nothing for my win 7 ultimate.

[NeverSure]

I dunno guys. Win 7 Ultimate was available for home use by just buying a license key. Enterprise edition wasn't available for home use but one could purchase additional licenses for it for an enterprise. This is how 7 Enterprise and XP Pro ran away - all you needed was a company's product key at least at one point, and the same was true for XP Pro. They were on an honor system and too often such honor didn't exist.

Is it possible that we are confusing Ultimate with Enterprise? Is it possible that someone who bought a bunch of license keys for Ultimate is unloading them cheap? It is after all quite outdated. AFAIK Ultimate was always a download and an inserted, purchased key.

I dunno... ??

Edit. By "outdated" I don't mean bad. It's just that since then there's been 8, 8.1 and now 10 and 7 may even run out of time for updates. Just thinking...

Edited January 1, 2016 by NeverSure

[gandalf12]

When all is said and done I did have a copy of XP Pro which I bought for $5 and it was genuine.

[TheCruncher]

Take a look at the Reddit software swap link I posted. Thera re several sellers active on it, and all are there for years already, so I doubt they sell all illegal keys.

There is by the way a comment section where everyone can post his experiences with the seller.

[jerome2]

You f lived too long in thailand ...come back to reality window cost much more... this is a X monts try version

[thailandstupidlife]

Hello, I would like to do some webcam recording also, what is the best freeware to download ?

Thanks.

[TheCruncher]

You f lived too long in thailand ...come back to reality window cost much more... this is a X monts try version

Do these indicate it is an illegal x month trial verison?

[connda]

Click on your Start and type in Restore. Select System Restore. At the Restore system files and setting click Next. If you have any restore points set, restore your system to one of those points. If you had malware, it may have reset those points, but it's worth a try.

After today, buy yourself a portable hard drive. 1 Terabyte drives are under 2000 THB. While your computer is running a set up correctly, you should have made a System Image of your system that you can roll back to. Windows has tools to create system images or you can purchase a tool like Norton Ghost if they still support it.

Sorry for your loss. You probably going to have to rebuild your system. Having backups of you system image will save you immense heartache which you are probably experiencing right now.

[bazza40]

It baffles me why anyone would pay good money for any Windows OS when there are perfectly good free OS such as Ubuntu, Lubuntu etc. out there. Why instal an OS which is under constant attack by hackers, and also chews up one's time and disk space with seemingly unending updates and security patches?

I haven't had any Microsoft product for nearly 5 years now, and I can't say I miss any of their offerings.

[connda]

Click on your Start and type in Restore. Select System Restore. At the Restore system files and setting click Next. If you have any restore points set, restore your system to one of those points. If you had malware, it may have reset those points, but it's worth a try.

After today, buy yourself a portable hard drive. 1 Terabyte drives are under 2000 THB. While your computer is running a set up correctly, you should have made a System Image of your system that you can roll back to. Windows has tools to create system images or you can purchase a tool like Norton Ghost if they still support it.

Sorry for your loss. You probably going to have to rebuild your system. Having backups of you system image will save you immense heartache which you are probably experiencing right now.

Just another comment...

Regarding Microsoft's current strategy with WIndows upgrades, they are currently downloading software on the sly in an attempt to force users to upgrade to Windows 10. I'd say that they have lost all integrity.

So it should come to no surprise if they start downloading software to disable non-Genuine systems that were built via a hack, illegal keys, and MSDN/Technet subscription 'test' keys. For anyone that bought what they thought was a valid key: Caveat Emptor, buyer beware.

I've got experience with Windows based systems going back to MS Windows 3 and Win NT 3.5. I'll tell you want I'm doing right now considering I simply don't trust Microsoft -- I'm preparing to fully migrate over to Linux by the end of this year. Although Windows 7 Ultimate has an end of life cycle on 1/14/2020, my guess is that any individual who isn't behind a WSUS server is eventually going to have WIndows 10 dropped on their system whether they want it or not. Once they force you to their 'Free' version of Windows 10, expect to lose functionality that you had in previous versions of the Windows OS. I have no plans to upgrade. Nowadays I vet everything that is released by Microsoft on Update Tuesday prior to downloading and installing updates. I refuse to learn another freaking Windows OS release, especially one that you have to purchase separate applets to have full Windows functionality. Their hubris will lose them customers, retail and corporate, just like IBM in the past.

So Hello Linux, goodbye Windows and freaking good riddance.

FYI, I really have no faith in MS's business model or current practices. Neither should you without understanding what you're purchasing:

Microsoft's new retail model is deceptive. Windows 10 is 'free' my derriere

https://www.hackread.com/windows10-free-microsoft-charging-features/

Then they want to escrow your encryption keys without informing the user

https://www.hackread.com/how-to-delete-microsoft-encryption-keys/

And they are purposefully tracking you with corporate spyware

https://www.hackread.com/windows-10-is-spying-on-you/

...among other privacy concerns.

http://www.alphr.com/microsoft/microsoft-windows-10/1001289/the-5-windows-10-privacy-issues-you-should-be-aware-of

If you don't like the 'hackread' articles, then Google the same topics and you'll find plenty of commentary by PC professional regarding the Windows 10 OS. Don't take my word for it, do your research. Forewarned is forearmed.

This is not a company that I'm going to support as a retail customer. Open Source is the way of the future if you want to maintain a clean, secure system in my humble opinion. You're mileage my vary.

Edited January 2, 2016 by connda