Whether it is Windows 7,8 or 10, Microsoft Windows has been the best operating system. But there are a lot of people who use a pirated copy of Windows instead of using the genuine one. If you are also using Microsoft Windows without any license that there are very much chances of getting a message saying“You may be a victim of software counterfeiting” or “The version of Windows is not genuine.”
This pop-up message appears on your screen whenever you connect to the internet or when you update the Windows version. Microsoft is repressing software counterfeiting because more and more people are using the internet and hence in this way people are using doubled copies.
“You may be a victim of software counterfeiting windows 7 enterprise” is a very common error nowadays with pirated versions of Windows. This error appears when you update an unactivated Windows. It is called Windows Genuine Advantage or shortly WGA. WGA is an anti-piracy policy which is created by Windows. It will enforce you to validate your Windows online whenever a person accesses a server like Windows update or downloading any of Windows component.
This error appears at regular intervals and hence, becomes so irritating.
So, if you also have fallen prey to “You may be a victim of software counterfeiting” don’t worry, I going to tell you how to deal with this issue easily.
5 Methods to Fix “You may be a victim of software counterfeiting”
There are two main reasons that may lead to software counterfeiting error. These are:
- You might be using a pirated version of Windows.
- The second reason could be a recent update in WGA system policy or maybe you are trying to update Windows
There are many easy to follow methods to solve this problem, I have come up with 5 best methods to overcome this issue in Windows. So, let’s have a look.
1. Remove WgaLogon folder using Registry Editor
One of the easiest and simplest way to solve software counterfeiting error is to remove WgaLogon folder. Follow the steps below:
Step 1-
Open Task Manager, you can do this by pressing the shortcut key Ctrl+Alt+Del
Step 2:-
Click on the Processes Tab.
Step 3:
Scroll down and Find “Wgtray.exe.
Step 4:
After finding, select it and then press End.
Step 5:
Now simply Restart your PC.
Step 6:
After you have restarted your PC, log in to PC by using Safe Mode, you can do this by pressing F8 key before the computer gets the boot
Step 7:
Find My Computer icon and then delete WgaTry.exe. You will find this by going to C: WindowsSystem32dllcache.
Step 8-
Now, you also have to look for Now also look for WgaTry.Exe from C: WindowsSystem32dllcache and delete it as well.
Step 9:
Open Run window and then Type Regedit in the command box.
Step 10:
– Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE –> SOFTWARE –> Microsoft WindowsNT –> CurrentVersion –> Winlogon –> Notify. Once you find it, delete the Wgalogon folder along with its contents.
Step 11:
Now restart your computer again.
After performing the above steps, you will no more see this Windows related problem.
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2. Solve by Removing WGA
In this method, you can fix this irritating error by removing WGA. WGA is a tool that claims to remove the intentionally deployed windows genuine advanced notification. And this way things on your computer becomes a little quieter.
Especially, when the update is flagged as Important, and hence it becomes a security risk as it connects to Microsoft server each time when you load the files. Download theRemove WGA from the button below:
You can easily remove this Counterfeiting error once you run RemoveWGA application on your PC or laptop.
This method will take very little time and will solve your counterfeiting error immediately. Make sure that your Antivirus software is turned off. Just run this RemoveWGA on your computer and get rid of this freaking error.
3. Remove WAT to Solve “You may be a victim of software counterfeiting” Error
This method is quite similar to the previous one. But the difference is that it removes WAT.WAT is a utility that is used to activate your Windows. To remove this utility follow the below steps. Tow the steps given below-
Step 1:-
Turn off your antivirus protection until this method is done. Turn off the antivirus protection. Complete this action for the time being.
Step 2:-
Download RemoveWat and install it on your system.
Step 3:-
Open it and click on RemoveWAT
Step 4:-
Within a few minutes, your computer will be restarted and you will no longer face this issue again
Further, go to System Properties and check for the status of windows activation.
4- Stop WGA Update
If you are still facing the Windows Software Counterfeiting Error even after removing all the WGA components, you can try to stop WGA updates. The reason is when you install updates the software will again try to install WGA update and shows the same error.
Follow the steps to stop the updates:
Step 1:-
Go to the Control panel.
Step 2:-
Go to Automatic Updates window.
5- Restore to the Previous Date
The last method to solve You may be a victim of software counterfeiting” error on Windows 10, Windows 8 or Windows 7 is to restore the previous date. All you need to do is to change the Windows to the previous date or restore it to a previously taken backup.
Follow the steps below:
Step 1:
Click on the Start menu and then right click on “Computer.” Go to “File Explorer” > and then select Properties.
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Step 2:
The System window will appear on the screen. Press the System Protection option.
Step 3:
Now click on System Restore and then check all restore points created for your system.
Step 4:
Now find the latest restore point created, after it starts, you will no longer face software counterfeiting error.
Step 5:
After you restore it, Restart your PC in normal mode and its done
So follow the above methods and get rid of this “You may be a victim of counterfeiting error”.If you face any trouble in any of the above methods, comment below and I will solve it for you.
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FAQ’s:
Q1: What does the “You may be a Victim of Software Counterfeiting” error mean?
A1: This error message typically appears on Windows operating systems when the system detects that the installed software is not genuine or has been tampered with.
Q2: How can I fix the “You may be a Victim of Software Counterfeiting” error?
A2: There are several ways to fix this error message, including installing genuine software, using a Windows license key, running a system file checker, uninstalling and reinstalling Windows updates, or seeking technical support.
Q3: Can I continue using my computer with the “You may be a Victim of Software Counterfeiting” error?
A3: It is not recommended to continue using a computer with this error message, as it may impact the system’s performance, security, and functionality. It is best to resolve the issue as soon as possible.
Q4: What happens if I ignore the “You may be a Victim of Software Counterfeiting” error?
A4: Ignoring this error message may lead to additional problems, such as decreased system performance, security vulnerabilities, and potential legal consequences for using pirated software.
Q5: How can I prevent the “You may be a Victim of Software Counterfeiting” error from occurring in the future?
A5: To prevent this error message from occurring in the future, it is important to use only genuine software and to regularly update and maintain the system. It is also essential to avoid downloading or installing software from untrusted sources.