This copy of Microsoft Windows is not genuine
Scary message, eh? Don’t worry, it doesn’t mean you’re a bad person. It happened to me, and I’m about the nicest guy I know, and my Windows Vista license is most definitely genuine (and provided by Microsoft via MSDN).
This message about Windows being genuine is part of the Windows Genuine Validation. That’s separate from the Product Key you put in. Windows can be activated successfully, and still not be considered “genuine”. Follow these steps to Activate Windows.
Microsoft requires that you go through Windows Genuine Validation in order to download some updates and other important files from Microsoft. It’s a pain, but it’s something you should go through. To validate your software, follow these steps:
1. Visit the Genuine Validation Required page using Internet Explorer (not Firefox!), or click the Go online and resolve now link in the validation message. Click Continue.
2. On the Running The Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool page, click the information bar that appears at the top of the page, and then click Install ActiveX Control. If you don’t see the information bar, it means the component is probably already installed-just wait a minute for it to check your installation of Windows.
3. Provide administrative credentials when prompted.
4. Click Install when the Internet Explorer Add-On Installer prompts you.
5. After a minute or so, the Validation Complete or Validation Incomplete page will load. Hopefully, you successfully validated. If not, try activating your software first, and then returning to this process.
For help getting validated, visit Microsoft Genuine Advantage Support. If you can’t get validated, you can still use Windows–you just can’t get all the updates and toys from Microsoft.
For more information, read the Windows Vista Resource Kit (co-authored by your very own Tony Northrup). Got a question for Tony? Send an e-mail to qa@vistaclues.com.
Posted: January 16th, 2007 under Setup.
Comments: 6
Comments
Comment from dilshad
Time: January 16, 2007, 11:05 pm
i would li my like to upgreat windows to vista when i buy my computer it dose tell me that i can upgrat my windows to vista
many thanks for help
Pingback from Install the ActiveX Installer Service - Windows Vista help
Time: February 6, 2007, 4:14 pm
[...] Install the ActiveX Installer Service ActiveX is a technology for extending what Internet Explorer can do. Some Web pages use ActiveX controls to display animations, play games, verify the integrity of your Windows installation, or do other things that the browser couldn’t normally do. [...]
Comment from Greg
Time: September 27, 2007, 4:41 pm
This looks like wonderful help BUT the Microsoft site is the only place where I am NEVER offered the chance to install an activex control. Do you have any helpful suggestions? I’d sure appreciate it
Comment from peter
Time: November 21, 2007, 11:19 pm
I have taken my laptop back 2 to the shop cantec navan, I am still having problems. Iam discusted with MS for such an unreliable software product. It has let me down twice. This is an insult to genuine customers I think I will look to other software providers in the future. It was the same story with XP when it was launched.
Comment from tim
Time: January 10, 2008, 2:29 am
My sisters computer came with Vista Home Premium preinstalled. Shes had it about 10 months now.
Earlier today i was uninstalling software she no longer needed and after the computer was restarted after being prompted to, i was not allowed to log back in.
When i attempted to log back in, it would hang on the logging in screen for a bit then a pop up stating “the activation key i just entered was invalid” would appear, giving me the options to activate, purchase a valid key, or contact the manufacturers website.
The “This copy of Windows is not genuine” message would also appear in the bottom right corner of the screen.
This is a very frustrating problem, i would appreciate any help.
contact me at beermit@sbcglobal.net
Comment from MAJEED
Time: January 29, 2008, 10:27 pm
Good site…It worked.
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