Are you tired of seeing the “Windows is not genuine” error message on your computer? Fortunately, there’s a simple solution using the Command Prompt. Keep reading to learn how to fix this issue and get back to using your computer without any interruptions.
Understanding the “Windows Is Not Genuine” Error
If you’re seeing the “Windows is not genuine” error message, it means that your Windows operating system is not activated or has been identified as non-genuine. This can happen for a few reasons, such as an incorrect product key, an expired or blocked key, or an update that has been installed that detects non-genuine copies of Windows.
To fix this error using Command Prompt, open Command Prompt as an administrator and type slmgr -rearm and press Enter. This will reset the licensing status of your Windows copy. You may also need to enter your product key again by typing slmgr -ipk YOUR_PRODUCT_KEY and pressing Enter.
It’s important to note that if you’re using a non-genuine copy of Windows, you may encounter issues with updates and certain features of the operating system. Additionally, Microsoft Office and Windows Server may also be affected by this error. To avoid these issues, it’s best to use a genuine copy of Windows and activate it using a valid product key.
Methods to Fix the “Windows Is Not Genuine” Error
- Open Command Prompt as an administrator by searching for “cmd” in the Start menu, right-clicking on “Command Prompt,” and selecting “Run as administrator.”
- Type slmgr -rearm in the Command Prompt window and press Enter.
- Restart your computer.
- Open Command Prompt as an administrator again and type slmgr -ato and press Enter.
- Restart your computer again.
- Open Command Prompt as an administrator once more and type slmgr -xpr and press Enter to check if the activation status has changed to “Genuine.”
Method 2: Using RSOP
- Open Run by pressing the Windows key + R on your keyboard.
- Type rsop.msc and click OK.
- Navigate to Windows Settings > Security Settings > System Services.
- Find the Plug and Play service and double-click on it.
security-settings.png” class=”size-medium aligncenter” style=”width: 50%; margin-top: 25px; margin-bottom: 25px;” alt=”Navigate to Windows Settings > Security Settings > System Services.
Find the Plug and Play service and double-click on it.”> - Make sure the Startup type is set to Automatic.
- Restart your computer.
- Open Command Prompt as an administrator and type slmgr -ato and press Enter.
- Restart your computer again.
- Open Command Prompt as an administrator and type slmgr -xpr and press Enter to check if the activation status has changed to “Genuine.”
Method 3: Using the Windows Activation Tool
- Open Control Panel by searching for it in the Start menu.
- Click on System and Security.
- Click on System.
- Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on Activate Windows.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to activate Windows.
- Restart your computer.
- Open Command Prompt as an administrator and type slmgr -xpr and press Enter to check if the activation status has changed to “Genuine.”
Uninstalling KB971033 Update
To uninstall the KB971033 update, open the Command Prompt as an administrator. Type “net stop sppsvc” and press enter to stop the Software Protection Platform service. Next, type “cd %windir%ServiceProfilesNetworkServiceAppDataRoamingMicrosoftSoftwareProtectionPlatform” and press enter to navigate to the folder containing the update. Enter “ren tokens.dat tokens.bar” to rename the file and disable the update. Finally, type “net start sppsvc” to restart the service. This should fix the “Windows not genuine” error and prevent the black screen from appearing. Note that this method only works for Windows 7 build 7600 and later, including Windows Server and Microsoft Office. However, it may not work for non-genuine copies of Windows 7 Ultimate or MS Office.
Using SLMGR -REARM Command
To fix the “Windows not genuine” error on your computer, you can use the SLMGR -REARM command in Command Prompt. This command resets the licensing status of your Windows system.
Here’s how to use it:
1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Type “SLMGR -REARM” into the command prompt and press Enter.
3. You will see a message confirming that the command was successful.
4. Restart your computer.
This should resolve the “Windows not genuine” error and restore your system’s genuine status. Note that this solution is only temporary and will need to be repeated every 30 days. To permanently fix the issue, you may need to purchase a genuine copy of Windows or Office.
Disabling Automatic Windows Updates
To disable automatic Windows updates, follow these steps:
1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type services.msc and click OK.
3. Scroll down to find the Windows Update service.
4. Right-click on it and select Properties.
5. Change the Startup type to Disabled and click OK.
Disabling automatic updates can prevent the installation of the KB971033 update, which can cause the “Windows not genuine” error. This error message may appear on a black screen and can affect Windows 7 build 7600 and Windows 7 Ultimate, as well as MS Office and other software.
By disabling automatic updates, you can avoid this issue and keep your copy of Windows or MS Office genuine.
Resetting the Licensing Status of Your Computer
| Resetting the Licensing Status of Your Computer | |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To fix the “Windows not genuine” error that appears on your computer when your licensing status is not recognized or has been compromised. |
| Method | Using the Command Prompt to reset the licensing status of your computer. |
| Steps |
|
| Note | This method may not work for all cases of the “Windows not genuine” error. If the error persists, it is recommended to contact Microsoft support for further assistance. |
Reconfiguring Plug and Play Service with RSOP Command
To fix the “Windows not genuine” error, you can reconfigure the Plug and Play service using the RSOP command. First, open the Command Prompt as an administrator. Then, type “gpupdate /force” to update Group Policy settings. Next, enter “rsop.msc” to open the Resultant Set of Policy window. Navigate to Computer Configuration -> Windows Settings -> Security Settings -> System Services. Find “Plug and Play” and ensure that it is set to “Automatic.” If it is not, right-click and select “Properties,” then change the startup type to “Automatic.” Finally, restart your computer and the “Windows not genuine” error should be resolved. Note that this fix may not work if you have a non-genuine copy of Windows or have installed the update kb971033.
Ensuring Your Computer License Is Legitimate
To ensure your computer license is legitimate and fix the Windows Not Genuine error with Command Prompt, follow these steps:
1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator by searching for “cmd” in the Start menu, right-clicking on Command Prompt, and selecting “Run as administrator.”
2. Type “slmgr /xpr” in the Command Prompt window and press Enter. This will show you if your copy of Windows is activated and genuine.
3. If your copy of Windows is not genuine, you can try activating it by typing “slmgr /ato” in the Command Prompt window and pressing Enter. This will attempt to activate your copy of Windows using the product key that is already installed on your computer.
4. If you have a genuine copy of Windows but are still seeing the Windows Not Genuine error, it may be caused by an update called kb971033. To remove this update, type “wusa /uninstall /kb:971033” in the Command Prompt window and press Enter.
By following these steps, you can ensure that your computer license is legitimate and fix the Windows Not Genuine error with Command Prompt.
Checking Your Computer for Malware
| Checking Your Computer for Malware | |
|---|---|
| Step | Description |
| 1 | Open Command Prompt as an administrator |
| 2 | Type “netstat -ano” and press Enter to view all active connections |
| 3 | Look for any suspicious IP addresses or connections |
| 4 | Type “tasklist” and press Enter to view all running processes |
| 5 | Look for any unfamiliar or suspicious processes |
| 6 | Type “msconfig” and press Enter to access the System Configuration utility |
| 7 | Go to the “Startup” tab and disable any suspicious programs or processes |
| 8 | Download and run a reputable anti-malware program to scan your computer |
Richard Krull is a talented technology writer for helptechportal.com, focusing on cloud computing and data storage. With a degree in Information Technology and years of experience in the IT industry, Richard’s articles provide readers with a deep understanding of cloud-based solutions. In his free time, Richard enjoys hiking and discovering new technologies to optimize his smart home.