How to Fix “Windows is Not Genuine” Error: 5 Effective Solutions

If you’ve encountered the dreaded “Windows is not genuine” error message, don’t panic. This frustrating issue can be caused by a variety of factors, from a faulty Windows activation to a corrupted system file. Fortunately, there are several effective solutions to resolve this problem and get your Windows operating system back on track.

Solution #1: Use the SLMGR -REARM Command

One of the simplest and most effective ways to fix the “Windows is not genuine” error is by using the SLMGR -REARM command. This command resets the licensing status of your computer, allowing you to reactivate Windows without any issues. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator by clicking the Start menu, typing “cmd” in the search field, right-clicking on “Command Prompt,” and selecting “Run as administrator.”
2. In the Command Prompt, type “slmgr -rearm” (without quotes) and press Enter.
3. If the command is successful, you’ll see a message saying “The operation completed successfully.” Click “OK” and restart your computer.

After restarting, try activating Windows again. If the issue persists, move on to the next solution.

Solution #2: Uninstall Problematic Updates

In some cases, recent Windows updates can cause the “Windows is not genuine” error. To resolve this, you can uninstall the problematic updates:

1. Open the Control Panel and go to “Programs” > “Programs and Features.”
2. Click on “View installed updates” on the left-hand side.
3. Look for any recent updates related to Windows activation or licensing, such as KB971033.
4. Right-click on the update and select “Uninstall.” Follow the prompts to complete the uninstallation process.
5. Restart your computer and try activating Windows again.

If you’re unsure which updates to uninstall, you can try uninstalling all recent updates and then reinstalling them one by one to identify the problematic one.

Solution #3: Modify Registry Settings

If the SLMGR -REARM command doesn’t work, you can try modifying the registry settings to reset the activation counter:

1. Open the Registry Editor by pressing the Windows key R, typing “regedit,” and pressing Enter.
2. Navigate to “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SoftwareProtectionPlatform.”
3. Look for the “SkipRearm” value and double-click on it.
4. Change the value data from 0 to 1 and click “OK.”
5. Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer.
6. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator and run the “slmgr -rearm” command again.
7. Restart your computer once more and try activating Windows.

Be cautious when modifying registry settings, as improper changes can cause serious issues with your system.

Solution #4: Use a Genuine Windows License Key

If you’re using a pirated or counterfeit copy of Windows, you’ll continue to receive the “Windows is not genuine” error no matter what you do. The only way to resolve this is by purchasing a genuine Windows license key from a trusted source, such as the Microsoft Store or an authorized retailer.

Once you have a genuine license key, you can activate Windows by following these steps:

1. Open the Settings app and go to “Update & Security” > “Activation.”
2. Click on “Change product key” and enter your genuine Windows license key.
3. Follow the prompts to complete the activation process.

Keep in mind that using a genuine Windows license key ensures that you receive all necessary updates, security patches, and support from Microsoft.

Solution #5: Perform a Clean Install of Windows

If none of the above solutions work, you may need to perform a clean install of Windows. This will erase all data on your computer, so make sure to back up any important files before proceeding.

To perform a clean install:

1. Create a bootable Windows installation media using a USB drive or DVD.
2. Boot your computer from the installation media.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to install a fresh copy of Windows.
4. Once the installation is complete, activate Windows using a genuine license key.

Keep in mind that a clean install will erase all data on your computer, so make sure to back up any important files before proceeding.