Windows 7 not genuine?

I had my computer rebuilt about a year ago (new motherboard, hard drive, Windows 7, power supply, etc) and I am just now getting a message saying my copy of Windows is not genuine and it's asking me to click on a link to activate it or something to that effect. The place where I had the computer built gave me the Windows 7 disc that was installed on my hard drive, so it should be a genuine copy. Is this a ploy to get me to upgrade to Windows 10?

This is where I am taken if I click on the link, which asks me to install a validation application to check Windows authenticity. I'm hesitant to install anything at his point.

https://www.microsoft.com/genuine/va...=80070426&ls=3

BTW, there was an update or two pushed to my PC a couple days ago, notably Microsoft .NET Framework version 4.6.1. It seems that the Windows validation message coincides with this update.

 

If your disk is genuine you should be able to hold it at an angle and see a hologram that as I remember will say genuine. Also as you know Microsoft has their own ways of determining if the software is genuine or not and part of that is through the update process. It could be your copy is genuine but Microsoft now considers it to be boot legged as it may have been for only one computer and not multiple computers. If that is the case then you would need to buy a new copy of Windows 7.

Some copies of Windows 7 are tech versions and are usually made by the computer shop. Those versions are not bound by a serial number and you take that off of the computer case to activate the tech copy. You can always try contacting Microsoft if the computer shop can't help you however they may require you to purchase a new license. As to the website it looks genuine and if your anti-virus hasn't warned you it may be safe to use it. Just to be safe to it wouldn't hurt to run a virus scan before doing anything else.

 

Did a product ID come with the install DVD? Download & run the Magic Jelly Bean Key Finder. See if the keys match each other.

 

I also just noticed that my computer is no longer going to sleep. I had it set to sleep after 30 minutes, but now it is staying on constantly. I went into my power plan to check the setting and it says it can't display my settings. What the hell is going on???

 

I ran into a similar problem when I tried to do the upgrade from Win 7 to 10.
My computer was assembled by a local shop and came with a sticker on the case that said my copy was genuine.
When I entered my S/N during the Win 10 upgrade it said my copy was not valid.
On a phone call to Win help desk I learned that my S/N was valid but was a dealer copy and not up-gradable.
It cost me $45.00 by credit card to download an up-gradable copy of 7 that allowed me to right away do the Win 10 upgrade.

The lesson learned was to pay attention to the details of software licensing.

 

Or use Linux. .

 

I bet that's the reason. I'll give the shop a call.

 

You could also call MS with your S/N and they can tell with certainly what you have
It might even be that they can verify your copy for free.

I later found out that even though i paid $85.00 for win7 when my compter was built it cost them nothing to install it on my system.
For them to have given me a full license they would have charged me more than twice what i paid.

 

I have the Windows disc in front of me. It's Windows 7 Professional SP1 OEM edition. It says "Intended for distribution with a new PC" and includes Windows Anytime Upgrade.

 

I believe when I had the PC built last year, I had the power supply and motherboard replaced but retained my hard drive, because it was only about a year old. So I already had my copy of Windows installed. Maybe something is awry because my MB isn't the original one that was used with this copy of Windows???

 

You have an OEM or system builder license which means that upon first activation that copy of the OS is forever tied to the Original system or motherboard it was installed on. There is no way around that but to buy another copy/license of the OS

Was the computer a prebuilt? (EX: Dell HP Asus, etc) or did you or someone else build it with off of the shelf parts?

Also careful if you are to buy another copy/license. I bought Windows 7 Professional from eBay and at the time it activated but when I did a reinstall it told me my key was blocked by the activation servers as it was a Technet/MSDN key. The seller was no where to be found as was no longer registered on eBay

Luckily I had a backup with the OS still activated

 

As I tried to say in post #3, you still don't know if what's installed is the same as the disc that they gave you.

 

I missed that. My apologies.

 

I called the shop where I had my system built and they assured me my copy is genuine. They said it sounds like a virus. Other things that have happened since I started receiving the messages is my PC will not recognize USB drives, I have no audio, cannot adjust screen saver timer, and it no longer goes to sleep. Sounds like a virus to me.

 

I did virus scan and it found two threats. I removed them but the issues still persisted. I went ahead and did a system restore to one week ago and everything is now back to normal.

 

Download, update & run anti malware from malwarebytes.org

Update & run it weekly. It must be updated each time.

 

I ran Malwarebytes and Superantispyware after the virus scan. Malwarebytes foud 1400 adware tracking cookies. These are harmless right? I went ahead and removed them anyhow.

 

That's good. Here is a site that may interest you.

https://ipleak.net/

 

yes, results harmless. But also get an antivirus installed, there are many free with limited options or you can purchase one with more options (and no purchase nags). And yes, you can run a malware software and antivirus software, just not two of the same (malware and malware or AV and AV running at the same time). You need layered security, one solution is no longer enough.

Curious, did you have an AV installed before you experienced this?

 

If you are looking to upgrade to windows 10, try seeking out a teacher as they have access to purchase win10 under an education provision for $25. Full version, e-download.

 

Superdaves, have you done that? What kind of ID does MS require to allow that download?

 

The purchaser just needs to provide their employee number with the school board and the purchase can go thru no problem. I picked up a the win 10 version with no issues. The board I used had a vendor to facilitate the purchase but it's pretty much available for everyone. You can even buy MS Office as a student discount from anywhere from elementary to uni.

 

What you are proposing is fraud. This board does not support fraud.

 

I agree.

The terms of the MS student offer are pretty specific and don't allow for "seeking out a teacher" to misrepresent the specifics of a software purchase.
The details of a software purchase agreement available in my workplace are such that I loose my ability to buy MS products at a discount if I abuse the program.

These forums do not support software piracy or theft.