Microsoft says my Windows 7 is pirated; now what am I suppose to do now?

I have actually had this happen on several of my clients computers, and it seems with so many people using Win7 key generating software, that if someone generated your key and used it to install Win7 on their computer, Microsoft will flag yours as non-genuine.

Try re-registering your Windows, but using the phone registration. You may even have to talk with someone to get it sorted out, but say you have it installed on only 'ONE' computer. If they say your copy is not genuine, you may have purchased an illegal copy of Windows.

If you have a computer that came with Win7 pre-installed and have the Windows key sticker on your computer, be sure to tell the Microsoft agent as such. If Microsoft still says your copy is pirated you will then need to talk with the computer manufacturer.

I don't know what you can do. I had the exact same problem. I called Microsoft and they said I had to deal with the vendor. The vendor accessed my computer remotely and found a place where it said my Windows was genuine and said they couldn't fix it because it wasn't broken. That didn't help and my next computer probably won't be from Velocity Micro despite the good machines and the (usually) great service.

I didn't want to risk it happening again so I chose to take the opportunity to buy a copy of Windows 8 instead. While I was at it, I upgraded to a touch screen (if I had it to do over, I wouldn't do that!) and an SSD. So far the new OS is working ok though I've got a major driver issue trying to use our Gestetner DSC525 copy machine. But that's part of the joy of a new operating system version.

I can't help but wonder if MS hasn't just found a new way to bump their revenue? I hope someone figures out what is causing this. It is a pretty serious kind of failure and neither Microsoft nor Velocity Micro seems to have taken it very seriously.

I had a similar problem a couple of years back with my XP. So many problems with system crash, and need to re-install OS that my key was no longer valid. I understand you issue is somewhat different, only paralel. When I called the 800 MS number, they needed to see a proof of purchase receipt before ofering assistance and issuing me a new Key number.

GL. RD, Bronx

If you take some Windows 7 DVD you found and use the OEM version with the sticker for the key, that's the problem. That sticker and key is only good with the Windows 7 that comes from that maker.

Not much of a mystery here.
Bob

Especially Microsoft's answers.

Then, go back to the vendor. You may have to take your lappy with you--actually, the more I think about it, the better this part sounds.

Then get the vendor to write his/her/its position on some handy paper. And make sure that Microsoft sees that position statement.

The vendor must prove to everybody's satisfaction he/she/it has a valid OEM license from Microsoft. Using KeyGens is theft, pure and simple, and attracts a criminal trial. I'm sure Microsoft would at least help push the prosecution.

Yes, this is time-consuming. But at the end of the day, even if you don't get your W7 back, there is a good chance the vendor won't ever be selling computers again: you can't do that from prison.

Gordon

Negative? Yes. Unfortunately, software piracy attracts many people who think it's a good money-spinner and don't care about your civil rights. So, in the words of JFK, "The price of liberty is eternal vigilance."

Had to call my self when I had to reinstall windows they ask how many times I have installed the CD told them this was first time since I had to format they walked me thru gave me code and I was back in business, found out the hard way if you call Micorosoft always tell them this is the first time.
Hope all goes well Ellen Pringle

You may have to get someone to do this for you. But a properly installed Windows 7 license should pass all validation tests.

Either that, or you would have to sell the laptop to someone who can find good use out of it.

From my experience, most OEM laptops from Dell, HP, Sony, Lenovo, etc... - they all come with a product key that is unique to that manufacturer. Dell's restore disks do not require the use of a product key as it's already baked into the version preinstalled on the computer. It makes assembly and installation THAT much faster with one less step to hassle with when they're putting your order together. They merely have to restore a DVD image of Windows and the stock preinstalled wares that come with the laptop and they only have to install drivers for the few remaining items that you custom ordered for that machine.

The product key sticker on the bottom of the laptop (or side of the desktop for that matter) is unique and should be protected. BUT... It's not the same product key that is installed on the machine by default.

So if Microsoft is saying the product key is pirated, I have to wonder who made the laptop? Some smaller OEMs without the bulk license agreement that the bigger makers have may have cut corners somehow...

If I were in your shoes, I would likely contact the OEM of that laptop and find out why the hardware you purchased from them is reporting that the copy of Windows 7 you have installed is NOT genuine.

Is it possible the system is reading the wrong windows file? Is there any kind of network backup that might be confusing the system?

My C drive was dying and lucky for me I was able to start moving files off it. In the middle of a somewhat desperate moving process, I moved my entire windows directory. When I got my new drive and had everything installed (all the updates and such) I took the DVD out of the drive and that was when I got a black screen. The lower right hand corner said the copy I had was not valid and a build number. If I kept the DVD in, Win7 pro would run pretty much as normal
After trying to fix it myself,(Change this setting, check that file, research on the net) I did what most of you did. First I called Microsoft. Three transfers later they told me to call the place I bought it from. I called them and they did the "take over your PC thing" and they could not find a problem. (Guess who they told me to call?) I called Microsoft again and after telling them my story again, they told me I had win7 installed incorrectly and to start over. After which, I was to call them back and they would do their validation thing. Somewhere in there they floated the possibility of having to pay $99 to get a new number or something.

I should also note I looked around the net and saw all the OEM, only able to be installed "X" amount of times, (that one REALLY did not sound right to me) and the brute force number stealing thing.

I called Microsoft again. I'm a nice guy and I don't like to get upset because the people on the phone they are just trying to get by like the rest of us. Not their fault if I or Microsoft mess up something and my computer does not work, right?
But.........
I called Microsoft again and this time I had me some righteous anger and after three more transfers I got a guy and I let him have it with one and a half barrels. Told you I was a nice guy. Fact that he was hard for me to understand did not help either. After some back and forth he figured out that the problem I was having was the system was reading the wrong windows folder. With all the hectic work I was doing moving files and trying to figure out what was wrong before I came to the conclusion that it was the hard drive and not the software. When I changed it to the right drive, it worked like it should. I wish I knew who the guy who helped me was so I could say something good about him. I almost feel bad about how I spoke to him. The I think that if I had gotten upset a week and half earlier, the problem may have been solved then.

If it's a laptop then there shouldn't really be an issue. Most laptops are pre-assembled by mainstream manufacturers and so really shouldn't be using pirate keys. If it was a desktop then I could understand as sometimes dodgy computer shops will use pirate copies of Windows on their desktops to undercut computer shops using genuine copies - which really does annoy me 'cos I always install genuine and I've got to compete against these cowboys.

There are a few things to check as well.

You've never lent this laptop to anyone that may have taken it away and copied the number from the bottom have you? If it's used in the office it could be that an employee has maybe had the laptop out of the office, or even just lifted it up and made a note of the Windows 7 key so they can use it on their own home PC and thus invalidated both your copy and his. Or in some cases if you send your laptop in for repair to a non-reputable IT firm they may take note of the key and start using it on other people's computers, or as I found out in one place someone had a new computer built for them and the IT company that built their new computer just used the same key off their old computer and told them they'd be fine as they're licensed to run it on as many computers as they want, it wasn't until they started having a few issues with their old computer that I came in, and discovered that he'd been using one licence on two machines.

Your first check is to make sure that you are not using that code on any other computer anywhere in the office.

If you are then your best bet is to call up Microsoft and buy a second genuine licence so both computers have genuine licences.

If your not accidentally using it on two computers then your next port of call is to call up Microsoft and see if there is anyway they can rectify the situation, explain to them that it is on a laptop and tell them the make, and model number of the laptop and see if they are willing to do anything about it. I'm quite sure if some major laptop brand name is using pirate copies of Windows then they would love to hear from you. Many years ago in the days of Windows 95 and 98 there was a number of well known PC firms that were done by Microsoft for replicating installation codes, but you'd have thought they'd have learned their lesson by now.

If you get nowhere with Microsoft (other than them insisting you need to re-purchase Windows), then contact the manufacturer, or the store where you bought the laptop from. Explain to them what has happened and that they made be breaking trading standards rules by supplying illegal software with the laptop. If you threaten them with legal action if they don't rectify it then they most probably will buckle and offer to sort the problem out, as a court case against a major computer manufacturer for supplying illegal software could be a lot more damaging to their image than just rectifying it by giving you a genuine licence.

If finally you don't get anywhere then your only option is then to go and re-purchase Windows 7. To do this I'd recommend going for an OEM version and buying some small piece of cheap hardware with it - a mouse or something - you don't need to use the hardware it's just part of Microsoft's T&C's. OEM versions are normally about half the price of the commercial package, they're like a "no-frills" version usually in a plain box with just the disc and the code inside (in a position that the code cannot be seen from the outside) and are for system builders (hence the reason you need to purchase a piece of hardware to buy it).