A copy of Windows is genuine only if it has been activated using a valid key. When you buy Windows Keys from Microsoft websites or get them from the OEMs, you can be sure that they are genuine. But you need to be careful if you buy them from third-party websites. So are Windows 10 keys that you buy from another site like Amazon, etc., legitimate or legal? That depends!
Dec 24, 2018 In addition, you can perform Windows genuine validation via Settings. Just go to the Start menu, click Settings, then click Update & security. Then, navigate to the Activation section to see if the OS is activated. If yes, and it shows 'Windows is activated with a digital license', your Windows 10 is genuine. Genuine Windows and Windows 10. With Windows 10, we have extended an offer to our Genuine Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 customers to upgrade to Windows 10 for free. Once a customer upgrades, they will continue to receive ongoing Windows innovation and security updates for free, for the supported lifetime of that device. Other than using the regular Windows System applet to check the activation status, you can also use the Modern control panel. This is particularly useful if you are using Windows 10 in tablet mode. To start, click on the Notifications icon on the bottom right corner of the taskbar and select the “All Settings” option.
The major problem why many consumers get a license – which is sold at a very low price – and which later turns out to be invalid is because they may be deactivated product keys or Volume license keys. In this post, we will suggest a couple of ways to check if your Windows Product Licence Key is Genuine or Legit.
A copy of Windows is genuine only if it has been activated using a valid key. When you buy Windows Keys from Microsoft websites or get them from the OEMs, you can be sure that they are genuine. If you have recently purchased a brand new PC with Windows 10 installed or someone installed it for you then obviously you will wish to check if your Windows 10 is genuine or pirated. Microsoft is offering one year of the free upgrade to Windows 10 only for the genuine Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 customers. In addition, you can perform Windows genuine validation via Settings. Just go to the Start menu, click Settings, then click Update & security. Then, navigate to the Activation section to see if the OS is activated. If yes, and it shows 'Windows is activated with a digital license', your Windows 10 is genuine. Windows 10 includes free 24/7 support from Microsoft to get you up and running with help by phone, online chat and support resources. Buy Genuine Windows Laptop Windows 10 keeps getting better.
How to check if my Windows Key is Genuine
There are different types of keys. Windows 10 keys that consumer buys directly, are usually valid until the life of the machine (Retail and OEM).
There is one more types of key: Volume Licensing (MAK and KMS). Enterprise or big companies buy these keys to activate computers in bulk.
Microsoft Genuine Validate Windows 10
I have seen reports where many third-party sellers have sold these keys to consumers at a cheap price. These keys can be activated on multiple computers or work for a couple of months.
It is best not to purchase a key from someone who is not authorized to sell Windows 10 keys. And if somebody is authorized, and they offering low price, make sure to ask them if the key will work even after reinstallation.
There are two scenarios-
- First where you have the key, and you want to check before actually using it.
- Second is when you have already used it, but still, want to check.
Let’s take a look at how you can find if your Windows Key is genuine.
Read next: How to buy Windows 10 with a valid or legit license key.
1] Use PID checker tools
We have two tools here – The Ultimate PID Checker and Microsoft PID Checker – which you can use to find out if the Windows 10 key is legit. While the Ultimate PID checker works for all versions before Windows 10, the Microsoft PID checker works for Windows 10 and Server 2016 only.
Download Microsoft PID Checker from here or Ultimate PID Checker from here. If the key is not legit or is invalid, the software will give you a response back. It can also be used to check the MAK count.
2] Check Windows Key with Software Licensing User Interface
Open Command Prompt on elevated privileges.Execute the following command:
The “dli” parameter will display current license information with activation status.
The result will also include the type of key (Retail, OEM, MAK, or KMS key). If the License status says “Licensed”, then you do not have a problem. If there is anything else, your key is not valid. Also if you see type as MAK or KMS, and you are a general consumer, you need to connect with the person from whom you bought the key, and get a Retail key.
Read: Are cheap Windows 10 keys legit?
3] Check Settings & Activation Status
There are few quick ways to check if the key you have used in not legit. The first thing you should is open Settings, and see if there is any warning about activation. If that’s not there, go to Update & Security > Activation and check the status. If there is an error and it doesn’t say that Windows is activated, you have a problem. In short the Windows 10 keys not legit or legal.
Let us know if this helped you to figure out if the Windows 10 key is genuine or not.
Now read: What is Windows Activation and How does it work?
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Summary
Have you ever checked whether you are using the genuine or pirated version of Windows 10 operating system? If not, you can read this post to learn how to check if Windows 10 is genuine or not. Besides, some differences between genuine and cracked version will be told to you.
Now, Windows 10 operating system is on more than 700 million devices since this OS comes with a number of amazing features and upgrades. However, not all of these users use the genuine Windows 10 and most of them use the pirated version that is not secure and doesn't offer amazing features like the genuine version.
Do you know which version that you are using? Let's go to check if Windows 10 is genuine.
How to Check Windows Is Genuine or Cracked
Way 1: Use slmgr.vbs /dli Command
Generally, you will check for products ID and license status of the operating system by right-clicking on This PC and choosing Properties.
In the pop-up window, you will see information about Windows 10 such as Windows edition, RAM, computer name, processor type, etc. Scroll down and then you can see if Windows 10 is activated in the Windows activation section. If so, the product ID is given.
But there is one thing you should note. Whether Windows 10 is genuine or activated, the status looks like the same in the system properties window. So, how to check if Windows 10 is original or not? How to check genuine Windows 10? You can use Command Prompt to validate Windows 10.
Step 1: Click Windows logo and R key on the keyboard in Windows 10 to open the Run dialog.
Step 2: Type slmgr.vbs /dli and press Enter key to display license information. Here slmgr stands for Software License Manager and the .vbs means Visual Basic Script.
In the pop-up window, if you see volume activation expiration, renewal interval and these types of information, you should know your Windows 10 is activated using activator software and it is cracked.
Windows 7 build 7600 or 7601 this copy of Windows is not genuine appears? Now try 5 helpful methods to permanently fix Windows 7 not genuine.
However, if only partial product key and license status are displayed, but there is no expiration time or anything else, you should understand that the Windows operating system is genuine.
Windows 10 Validation Tool
Way 2: Check If Windows 10 Is Genuine via Settings
In addition, you can perform Windows genuine validation via Settings. Just go to the Start menu, click Settings, then click Update & security. Then, navigate to the Activation section to see if the OS is activated. If yes, and it shows 'Windows is activated with a digital license ', your Windows 10 is genuine.
Differences between Genuine and Cracked Version of Windows 10
There are some differences between the genuine and pirated version, but normally you don't notice them.
As to the pirated or cracked version, it usually comes with malware, spyware, ransomware and much more. When installing, you will never find anything wrong. But once you start to use it, you can see some changes and initially your files. More seriously, your important data and files will be secretly transferred to hackers without any permission from you.
Besides, the cracked Windows 10 will be slow after the usage of some months. Even you aren't able to do any work but must reinstall Windows 10 again.
However, for genuine Windows 10, it can run very well and it is quite safe to prevent from virus or ransomware. Thus, you had better get a genuine Windows 10 for a better experience.
