Why does this happen? The reason for getting these errors is that you do not have the appropriate permissions over the Windows Genuine Advantage Data folder. Users reported that when trying to validate their copy of Windows XP they got the fallowing errors: Remember, Softpedia encourages you to use genuine software on your computers. NOT all the users, just those owning a legal copy. This guide is intended to help people having problem validating their Windows XP. Until the introduction of Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool users could have easily stated that having an illegal copy would be the same thing but with extra money in the pocket. It is a method to make people be aware of the advantages offered by genuine products. Owning an illegal Windows copy means no access to new applications like Internet Explorer 7 or Windows Defender.
All in the nutshell, original products are enhanced with more facilities than the cracked ones.īoth Windows systems will work and behave the same until one point: when updating or trying to obtain new products from Microsoft. Because educating users all over the world that illegal copies are an act of theft seemed to be an impossible challenge mainly due to the economical background of many countries, they chose to bait people with the genuine product advantages. Therefore they found a middle way to stop and prevent illegal use of Microsoft products. It is obvious that the Redmond giant does not accept anymore its products to be counterfeited and used with the same features as the original copies. Remember to ask the seller for the Certificate of Authenticity and the original Windows disc, if there was one.During the last couple of years Microsoft focused on strengthening its anti piracy policy.
Validation failure is common for versions of Windows that were purchased from an online auction site, or if Windows was on a used PC that you purchased.
The Microsoft How to Tell website can help you identify counterfeit software and file a counterfeit software report if needed. Validation will also fail if you’ve inadvertently acquired and installed counterfeit Windows software. To learn about licensing more than one PC, go to the Microsoft Volume Licensing website.Ĭounterfeit software. The rule for most copies of Windows is that only one copy of Windows can be installed on one PC. For instance, if you purchased a copy of Windows and installed it on more than one PC, online validation might fail because the product key has already been used on another PC.
Another common cause of Windows validation failure happens when you try to install Windows on more PCs than your license allows.
To fix the issue, you can properly activate Windows by reentering your original product key.įor other issues, you may need to buy a genuine version of Windows.ġ License = 1 PC. You might not see the messages until you try to download something from the Microsoft Download Center that requires validation, and validation fails. If the repairs required Windows to be reinstalled, the technician may have activated Windows with a different key than you used when it was originally installed. Repairs. If your PC has been repaired, you might start to see messages on your desktop that Windows isn't genuine. There are a few common scenarios in which Windows running on a PC might be discovered to be non-genuine during validation.