Download says copy of windows not genuine? [Merged]

urban_spirit

Can anyone advise please? A downloaded windows automatic update today says my copy of windows is not genuine. The microsoft website says I can buy a product key online but there's no way I can pay for any extras at the moment.

The windows software came with the PC which I bought from a business that was folding. Will windows just stop allowing automatic downloads to update my software??? Does anyone have more information on this? My PC is my lifeline.

Many thanks.

Quincy_3

I expect that the PCs software was shared by the original PC owner so now yours is illegal in MS eyes their is a work around though.

Start, Run type oobe/msoobe /a are you being asked for a Key?

urban_spirit

Thanks for replying. No, it gives me a message box saying 'windows cannot find oobe/msoobe/a'. I did double-check what i'd typed in.

wolfman

Google "genuine windows nag screen"

Astaroth

I dont know about this particular piece of software but previous attempts at this by microsoft has simply stopped the update feature from working - not much of an issue really if you have XP Home or Media Centre as they are going to be stopping updates at the end of the year if the press releases are to be believed.

robnye

i had a similar problem, even though i had what i thought and still do beleive to be a proper licence, i even spent oodles trying to get microsoft to reissue a licence code

someone suggested using a program called bigfix, this is installed on your pc, checks microsoft for missing updates, then allows you to download them.

the software (bigfix) is freeware.

littleange

You dont need windows updates anyway in my opinion.

Quincy_3

littleange_com wrote:

You dont need windows updates anyway in my opinion.

Oh dear thats bad news then

nickmack

littleange_com wrote:

You dont need windows updates anyway in my opinion.

Maybe not non-priority ones, but Critical Updates are named because they are exactly that. In a business environment they are essential. In a home environment, they are important. They should be downloaded and installed in all but exceptional circumstances.

heatherw_01

The original owner must have used an illegal copy of XP.

The only real option is to put up with it for now or buy a new copy I am afraid

You will not be able to use Windows update with an illegal copy.

sco0ter

But come next year with all microsoft software like Office 2007, Digital image suite 2007 and autoroute 2007 all will need to use the genuine advantage tool to verify the operating system is genuine before installing. The beta 2 of office 2007 already does this