Windows 7 This copy of windows is not genuine

[xdzgor]

HiI installed Windows 7 on my computer about 10 months ago - after purchasing the OEM disks from an online shop together with other computer hardware for a system I was building. I activated Windows, and have used the system without issue ever since. However, in the last couple of days I've noticed a small message in the bottom right corner of my desktop stating that "this copy of windows is not genuine". What does that mean? Has the shop sold me a fake copy? Why have I been able to install and use this OS for 10 months? Does this have any consequences for the use of the system?Regards,Peter

 

[Mike]

Activation has not succeeded and the key number you received may not be genuine. Contact Microsoft Anti-Piracy for assistance: Link Removed due to 404 Error

The lack of a genuine product key can either mean that it was never entered as part of the sale, it was a pirated key, or hardware changes de-activated the license. See also:

Genuine Windows: frequently asked questions - Microsoft Windows