There is nothing more frustrating for the honest computer user than receiving the error message in Windows 7 stating that “This Copy Of Windows Is Not Genuine.” Fortunately, a clever programmer has created a tool called RemoveWAT that addresses issues with Windows Activation Technologies. Windows Activation Technologies is a Microsoft licensing tool that helps prevent against software counterfeiting. Microsoft has identified software counterfeiting as being a huge risk to end users as counterfeit software frequently comes bundled with malware that could be used to steal confidential data. Needless to say, it is important for computer users to always use properly licensed software.
Take the proper actions BEFORE running RemoveWAT
If you are receiving an error message stating that you may be a victim of software counterfeiting your first step should be to contact the business or individual that sold you your Windows 7 PC. This may however be easier said than done depending on where your purchased the computer from. If this doesn’t work then you could contact Microsoft directly and report the issue to them. Often times Microsoft will provide users who report piracy with a discounted or sometimes even a free copy of Microsoft Windows.
Running RemoveWAT
If you are still unable to obtain a valid license for Windows 7 then you will need to run RemoveWAT in order to remove the “This Copy Of Windows Is Not Genuine” error message from your Windows 7 installation. First, you’ll need to download RemoveWAT from here. Note, this link will take you to a torrent download so you’ll have to have a working BitTorrent client in order to access this file. Once RemoveWAT is downloaded you need to double click on the .ZIP file and then double click RemoveWAT.exe to run the program.
Now you need to click on the Remove WAT button and allow Remove WAT to reboot your computer after the program has completed. You should no longer receive any error messages regarding software counterfeiting after you PC has rebooted.
Update: September 1st, 2010
Here are a few things that have changed since I had originally written this article.
1. The HTTP download for RemoveWAT seems to be a moving target. In other words, the link is frequently changed or removed from different websites. Your best bet is to download the RemoveWAT torrent and then use a BitTorrent client such as Vuze to access the file.
2. It would appear as if one of the August security packages from Microsoft “broke” RemoveWAT thus causing the “This copy of Windows is not genuine” error message to display again. This problem only occurred on one of my PC’s and I was able to fix the problem by doing the following;
a. Run RemoveWAT using the “Run as administrator” option.
b. Click on the restore WAT button and allow RemoveWAT to reboot your PC.
c. Run RemoveWAT again using the “Run as administrator” option.
d. Click the Remove WAT button and allow RemoveWAT to reboot your PC.
You should no longer receive any error messages regarding software counterfeiting after you’ve completed these steps.
Update: February 23rd, 2011
I was successfully able to install Windows 7 Service Pack 1 on a computer that had RemoveWAT run on it prior to installing the service pack. I will test the ability to run RemoveWAT on a computer that is already running Windows 7 Service Pack 1 within the next couple of days.
Update: March 7th, 2011
I have confirmed that RemoveWAT 2.2.6 works properly on a computer running Windows 7 Service Pack 1. In other words, I installed Windows 7, upgraded to Service Pack 1, and then ran RemoveWAT 2.2.6. Here’s a link to the Torrent for RemoveWAT 2.2.6.
That was really helpfull ….
Thanks Alotttttt
Thanks, it works for me
cheers
Pretty beautiful
@Deane – If you plan on getting rid of the Laptop, then back up your stuff and Restore it to factory settings through the Startup menu (normally F3 or F8 on startup).
RemoveWAT is not a virus people, it DOES work, it DOES NOT log your passwords. YES it is unsupported, but it STILL WORKS!
Thank you Mike, this tips really worked here.
Peace !
I ran removewat a few weeks ago and it got rid of the pop up message and gave me my desktop image back, but the message “windows 7 build 7600 this version of windows is not genuine” still appears permanently in the bottom right corner of my desktop. I ran removewat to re install the wat, then removed it again, hid the “bad” security updates and it’s still there. It doesn’t affect any performance, but I’m trying to get rid of this lap top and who’s gonna want to take it with that message?
What other suggestions do you have?
thanks. it was successful. but my problem is, i can’t put side gadgets in my laptop. when i’m trying, it looks like the windows is not genuine. can anyone help me?
Guys, I used remove wat 2.2, wasn’t totally successful. To perform manually, unplug from the internet.in system 32, you will find the wat file. You cant do anything with the .exe unitll you take ownership of the file, add yourself on as owner then remove the trusted installer and rename all files. In services, disable all services concerning MS Licensing, there is quite a few. Then enter your registry, and remove the registry keys in the software hive. However I haven’t been able to get the desktop notification off. Ive changed desktops, but the notification on the lower right hand side remains. Any Ideas, thanks OJ
Info thanks to a prominent Windows 7 and 8 Activation and Tweaks developers site. Here is the thread below to support my claim. Don’t wast your time using RemoveWAT sorry Mike but you need to do more homework before releasing non supported apps.
http://forums.mydigitallife.info/threads/10895-OUTDATED-UNSUPPORTED-RemoveWAT
Remove WAT is useless look up Windows OEM Brander 2 its 30mb in size this will activate your Win 7 SP1 and make it truly genuine when validated through Microsoft Site. Remove WAT is officially unsupported as of March 2010.
Ran RemoveWAT, restored WAT, ran removeWAT again and I still have a black screen and the “this copy of windows is not genuine” on my screen.
I’m running windows 7 ultimate without sp1
any thoughts?
thanks
For god’s sake, my Virus scanner even identified it as a key-logger / password stealer…
So please don’t say “well, it didn’t happen to me, so you must be lying.”
I’m unplugging and heading to the local comp store now, since they are the ones that apparently gave me “hacked” windows in the first place, I think I’m gonna kick the owner in the face. I’m really sick of this.
Also, read my previous post, DO NOT USE THIS SOFTWARE, it is a VIRUS.
So I bypassed my virus scanner, listened to the obviously ignorant folks on this forum and trusted in the Author of this article. Within 3 hours of installing this both of my e-mail accounts have been hacked into and the passwords changed, my world of warcraft account is now in someone else’s posession.
Thanks Internet Predators, Now I have to pay to get this fixed.
aaron… how could you get a virus from this? Much less “a bunch”. And the “after I removed the ones I had before” thing… I doubt it was this. Probably one of the random other things you downloaded…
Thanks. It worked for my w7 ultimate with service pack1.
dont use this. it gave my computer a bunch of viruses after i removed the ones i had before
100% working good
Thanks very much for this, Mike. So far, it appears to have worked beautifully on my Win 7 Ultimate 64 bit system.
For those folks who are having trouble with their anti-virus program, this is what I did: downloaded WAT, disconnected from the internet, disabled my anti-virus software, extracted WAT, and ran the .exe.
i already do the step, but after computer reboot..my screen not display anything, but the sound of window i hear. why this could happen?
Thanx Mike, 2.2.6 worked great! Malwarebytes and AVG wouldn’t let me open, so bypassed. After I ran RemoveWAT and it worked flawlessly. Then ran Malwarebytes and AVG and let them do their thing removing RemoveWAT, but your fix was done and everything is still beautiful.
! Cannot execute “C:\Users\Sukhi\AppData\Local\Temp\Rar$EX99.392\RemoveWAT.exe”
This message comes up when i try to open it.
Thanx mike..great solution..
Hi,
I think I’d rather purchase a genuine copy, especially if I get it cheaper. Unfortunately I have no idea where in HongKong I bought my copy of windows. Does Microsoft want to know exactly?
Thanks
Wao, Mike the “window not genuine” message can be a real pain in d ass. But am glad to tell u that the solution you gave here really worked for me. Thanks a lot and God bless you.
Installed removeWAT 2.26 and my virus protection kept trying to block the installer…disregarded and ended up running the program. Worked wonderfully…(However…) i now show a generic login credential (in credential Manager)..this gives me pause. Why is this needed?
Generic Credential… virtualapp/didlogical
Internet or network virtualapp/didlogical
User Name: 02dykpugyjbh
password ********
persistence: Local Machine
Why the above?
It’s a beautiful thing. Thanks!!
many threads are found no download comple plz help me for out of this genion windows error
why cant install the removewat on my computer…. it always said…removewat is already install you cannot restore….
Works great and i even installed Microsoft security essentials and SP1……thx
RemoveWAT 2.2.6 is works. Really thanks!
Great site.
Thanks for your info sharing.
i alredy orded removeWAT it for how long i havetto wait to complet
I had my Windows 7 for a while and used that WAT remover and was fine for a while. About two weeks ago though I started getting a pop-up window saying my windows is not genuine ..yada..yada..yada. It doesn’t remove my background like it has done before using the remove wat and I can close it and carry on. It just annoys me and especially when I’m gaming it tabs me out sometimes to show me the message. Is there a new patch out to fix this?
I am going to try to reproduce this problem on a VM. I will post the fix providing that I can reproduce the issue.
I have used RemoveWat and its worked fine, but i still cant change desktop to a picture or background!! Just get the black screen with icons. Everything works perfect except that. Can you please help.
Regards
Mark
also, since the trojan I have had a system defragmenter icon on my desktop which shows up the 5 risks, is this part of the trojan and needs to be taking off or is it ok and will read nothing whenver i use that malware?
Out of town, away from PC, but here’s what you want to do… Reboot, press F8 to get into Safe Mode w/ Networking. Download and run Malwarebytes. This should eliminate the trojans. You could also of course try running System Restore from within Safe Mode.
i have been infected with Trojan.Win32.Generic!SB.0 on my lab top. when first infected, My system defragmenter popped up and said that i was out of memory, which wasn’t the case and said i had 11 risk. i let it run it’s course and it fixed 6 out of the 11. (i think, or so it said) with the other 5 left my mcafee couldn’t pick anything else up. so i downloaded the 15 day trial of vipre and tried it and it found 1 file with 4 risks and deleted it. Now on it’s second time through i received a message saying i may be at risk of counterfeiting on my windows 7.(which could be a lie).. just really don’t know what to do or where to go.. HELP PLEASE
I didn’t want to delete mcafee for the 15 day trial, so i decided to leave both and it’s taking vipre ALONG time to scan through, would it still work correctly…. HELP PLEASE
Did you first successfully restore WAT? I had this happen on one of my computers and the fix was to restore WAT and then run removeWAT again. I am going to setup a VM and try to reproduce the problem. If you right click on “Computer” what does it say regarding your registration status?
hello..
my prob is the same like Jerry.. i’ve already re-run the removeWAT but the message still at my wallpaper.. then i changed the theme to another, but the prob still stay the same.. any guide?
tq
RemoveWAT can only be used on versions of Windows that use Windows Activation Technologies as their means of license validation i.e. Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows Server 2008. You’ll need to find a copy of a program called Chew WGA XP for eliminating this licensing error message on Windows XP.
I recently installed Windows XP PRO on a user computer .
I got the not gunine message windows 7 which was confusing because I installed XP PRO
Will your software solve my problem? PS
I have used this same CD previsly to install XP PRO on another computer and did not get the not genuine message
If you are still seeing the dreaded black wallpaper you should be able to change this after RemoveWAT has been run. Right click on the desktop and left click personalize. Select another wallpaper and you should be all set.
Dan, check the Update: September 1st, 2010 section that I just added.
The link for the removal tool is broken is their any chance of the link being repaired or can someone point me in the direction of this software.
I have a genuine copy of win7pro had an windows update on 27/08/2010 and now i dont have a valid Win7 (most annoyed) i have tried some other suggestions with regard the PnP policy but that did not resolve this issue.
hieee my name is hemant just now i have installed windows 7 utimate 32 bit and as i friend said execute the remove wat 2.2. after running remove wat pc restarted and all functions are running perfectely,when i tried to change my wall papers its not changing if anyone knows the this problem and its solution then please let me know
Did you try to re-run RemoveWAT? I haven’t had any problems with mine….
I had my Windows 7 for a while and used that WAT remover and was fine for a while. About two weeks ago though I started getting a pop-up window saying my windows is not genuine ..yada..yada..yada. It doesn’t remove my background like it has done before using the remove wat and I can close it and carry on. It just annoys me and especially when I’m gaming it tabs me out sometimes to show me the message. Is there a new patch out to fix this?
Great site. A lot of useful information here. I’m sending it to some friends!