Just got a popup on my lower task/tool bar saying Ask for genuine microsoft software This copy of windows is not genuine You maybe a victim of software counterfeiting. Never seen this before or the star shape icon at the bottom of this screen have had this computer now for 4 yrs with no problems is this some scam or should I follow the directions? Thanks Eric
Read here…. Counterfeit
big G 
Sounds like a recent update. If it were me, I would run all my antivirus and spyware software just to be sure. Then, this is microsofts answer:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/905474/en-us
Every time I reboot my computer I get the message asking me to install Windows Genuine blah blah blah. I click cancel. I got this computer from someone and I can’t be 100% sure the copy of XP he gave me is “genuine”.
He is a developer and a part of MSDN, so most likely my copy is fine. My concern would be if they limit the number of copies installed per CD key. There could also be some glitch and my genuine copy could come up as disgenuine (sic), if you will. I don’t want to deal with Microsoft and the hassle that comes along with it. I am even less interested in having to buy a new Windows OS because of it.
As far as I know the Genuine Advantage BS does nothing else. They used to claim they would not allow machines not verified top get updates, but my Windows update service is fine.
I guess that is a little too late for the OP. Even though XP is old, and I don’t know if Vista and 7 have the same GA bs, I thought I would throw that out there if someone else came across the same screen upon booting up. Just hit cancel. I think I have been doing it for well over a year now.
That’s kinda what I needed to know I find it hard to believe that this was not genuine software if a person does check to see if it’s genuine and it turns out that it’s not what will happen will it destruct forcing you to update/spend more money.
I assume with your computer being 4 years old you are using XP? The diamond shaped icon notification in your task bar is what is confusing me. Like I said, I only see it at start up. Now if my memory serves me, the notification on the task bar was taken away after too many people complained. Are you set up for automatic updates? Have you updated lately?
if you bought the pc with windows on it, you will be fine, just go through the little 3 step wizard, and you won’t get prompted for it anymore.
mplspug – if you attempt to register a windows key more then 5 times in one year, it will say it is invalid. or if you make more hardware changes then “average” and do rebuilds after each one, it will sometimes give you the “not valid” message. you should be fine to run through the wizard. if you end up needing a key, shoot me a pm, i can get you some to try. 
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you should be fine to run through the wizard. if you end up needing a key, shoot me a pm, i can get you some to try.
Excellent! Maybe I’ll give it a shot. Wait, you don’t work for Microsoft, do you?
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you should be fine to run through the wizard. if you end up needing a key, shoot me a pm, i can get you some to try.
Excellent! Maybe I’ll give it a shot. Wait, you don’t work for Microsoft, do you?
no, i do not work for microsoft.
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