How to Fix “This Copy of Windows is Not Genuine” Error?
Last Updated :
23 Jul, 2025
The message “This copy of Windows is not genuine” can be quite irritating, and it may limit your usage of some features in your machine. This notification message is usually shown when the Windows operating system in question cannot verify its authenticity. This is due to limitations of the Windows system hence there is a limitation of features and also a watermark is displayed on the desktop. Nonetheless, the good news is that this case can be fixed and once again the workability of the system restored. In this document, we will see the working procedures to rectify the ‘not genuine’ problem and activate windows.
How to Fix “This Copy of Windows is Not Genuine” Error?
This error may be the result of your Windows trial version having expired to use the applications. It may also appear if the Windows product key is invalid or if you entered it wrong when configuring the applications. Important hardware modifications and control statements, such as swapping out the motherboard, can trick Windows into thinking it's a brand-new machine and result in product activation problems to simplify management.
Method 1: Apply a Valid Product Key officially
In any Windows version like 11,10,8 or 7 go to Settings and Vista, and use the Control Panel to modify your Windows product key to select the application systems. The registry tool is used to modify the Windows XP product key for the internal system.
Type WIN + R > Go to Run dialog box > Enter the following command > Type the Product Key.
slui.exe 3
The internal data needed to activate Windows is reset using this remedy for "Windows is not genuine" issues to resolve. This should fix all the internal issues if the required data is correct but tainted in some way to function.
Step 1: Open Command Prompt > Type 'SLMGR -REARMIf' > Press Enter
Step 2: See the error pop-up > Enter 'SLMGR -REARM' > Wait some time to finish the process
Step 3: See the message Command completed successfully > Press Enter > Restart the system.
Method 3: Try to Disable the Plug and Play Policy configuration
Disabling the system's Plug and Play Group Policy object can help you resolve the "not genuine" problem to simplify. If the virtual Network Service account lacks the necessary authorization to access the HKU\S-1-5-20 registry key, this could be the situation to implement the management tools.
Step 1: Type WIN + R > Go to Run dialog box > Enter the following command > Press Enter.
rsop.msc
Step 2: Go to System Configuration > Edit the Windows Settings > Tap on Security Settings > Navigate to the System Services
Step 3: Go to Group Policy via Plug and Play option > Change the setting which is Not Defined
Step 4: Type WIN + R > Go to Run dialog box > Enter the following command > Press Enter
gpupdate /force
Step 5: Restart your System.
If the issue concerning Windows is not being authentic or resolved by the aforementioned actions, you may try modifying the permissions and modifications that the Network Service has to access a certain registry key manually.
Step 1: Go and open Registry Editor > Navigate the location "HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-20" > Right-click on S-1-5-20 > Select Permission.
Step 2: Type Network Services > Tap on Check Names > Select Ok
Step 3: Restart your system
Conclusion
It is important to fix the “This copy of Windows is not genuine” error as it affects how well the Windows operating system will function and even its security. You will be able to activate the copy of your Windows through the steps explained in this guide and repair any activation problems. Whether it’s as simple as re-entering a product key or a more complex series of steps involving several different troubleshooting tools, fixing this error means that you can use Windows without any restrictions.
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