This article shows you how to permanently get rid of the notification messages regarding the authenticity of your copy of Windows that appear when you are using an unverified copy of Windows. The simplest method is to activate the operating system via the Settings app, but there are also two workarounds to fix the problem momentarily if the need arises.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Activate Windows
Step 1. Make sure your computer is connected to the internet
In order to activate your copy of Windows, the system must be connected to the web, so that it can contact Microsoft servers and verify the authenticity of the relevant "Product Key".
Step 2. Access the "Start" menu by clicking the icon
It features the Windows logo and is located in the lower left corner of the desktop. The "Start" menu will appear.
Step 3. Launch the Settings app by clicking the icon
It features a gear and is located at the bottom left of the "Start" menu.
Step 4. Select the "Update & Security" item by clicking the icon
It is characterized by a circular shape and two curved arrows. It is visible at the bottom of the "Settings" window.
Step 5. Go to the Activation tab
It is located on the left side of the window.
Step 6. Choose the Change Product Key option
It is a link visible in the center of the "Activation" tab. A new dialog will appear.
Step 7. Enter the Product Key of your copy of Windows 10
Type the activation code of the operating system into the text field that appears.
- It is usually printed on the package containing the installation DVD (in the case of a physical copy) or in the order confirmation email (in the case of a digital copy).
- If you've purchased a Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 8.1 product key, you can still use it to activate Windows 10 as well.
Step 8. Press the Next button
It is located in the lower right corner of the window. This way Microsoft staff will be able to verify the authenticity of your copy of Windows.
Step 9. Follow the instructions that will appear on the screen
If your copy of Windows is valid, you will receive an activation notification message. However, you may need to provide other information.
Method 2 of 3: Delete the Activation Watermark from the Windows 10 Desktop
Step 1. Make sure you are logged into Windows as a system administrator user
To be able to edit the Windows registry, you must have administrative privileges on your computer.
Step 2. Access the "Start" menu by clicking the icon
It features the Windows logo and is located in the lower left corner of the desktop.
Step 3. Type in the keyword regedit
The Windows "Registry" editor will search your computer.
Step 4. Select the regedit icon
It is represented by a series of blue blocks that form a cube and is displayed at the top of the "Start" menu.
Step 5. When prompted, press the Yes button
The Windows "Registry Editor" window will appear.
Step 6. Access the "Activation" registry key
Follow these instructions:
- Expand the entry HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE from the menu by selecting it with a double click of the mouse;
- Access the folder SOFTWARE;
- Scroll through the list that appears to locate and select the item Microsoft;
- Scroll through the list that appears to locate and select the item Windows NT;
- Access the folder CurrentVersion;
- Select the item SoftwareProtectionPlatform;
- At this point click the folder Activation.
Step 7. Select the Manual key with the right mouse button
It has a white and blue icon and is visible within the right pane of the window. A context menu will be displayed.
- If you are using a one-button mouse, press the right side of the pointing device or press the single button using two fingers.
- If you're using a computer with a trackpad instead of a mouse, tap it using two fingers or press the lower right side.
Step 8. Choose the Edit option
It is located at the top of the menu that appeared. A new dialog will appear.
Step 9. Edit the value of the selected key
Within the "Value data" text field replace the current value "0" with "1", then press the button OK.
You may need to reconfirm your choice. If necessary, press the button Yup or OK in order to proceed.
Step 10. Select the NotificationDisabled key with the right mouse button
This element is also visible within the right pane of the page.
Step 11. Choose the Edit option
Step 12. Edit the value of the selected key
Within the "Value data" text field, replace the current value "0" with 1. This step is to prevent Windows activation status notification messages from appearing on the desktop.
Step 13. Restart your computer
Access the "Start" menu by clicking the icon
select the "Stop" option characterized by the icon
and choose the voice Reboot the system. Your computer will restart automatically.
Step 14. If the Windows activation status notification is still visible on the desktop, repeat the procedure
Removing this item is only temporary, so you may need to repeat the steps described in this method in the future.
Method 3 of 3: Disable the Windows Genuine Advantage in Windows 7
Step 1. Access the "Start" menu by clicking the icon
It features the Windows logo and is located in the lower left corner of the desktop.
Step 2. Select the search bar located at the bottom of the Start menu
Step 3. Type in task manager keywords
The Windows "Task Manager" program will search your computer.
Step 4. Click the Task Manager icon
It should be visible at the top of the menu Start.
Step 5. Open the "Run" window
Press the key combination ⊞ Win + R.
If you have any difficulties, go to the menu Start, type the keyword run into the search bar, then click the icon Run appeared in the list of results.
Step 6. Type in the system32 keyword
This is the name of the system folder System32 which contains many of the files essential to the proper functioning of your computer.
Step 7. Press the OK button
It is visible at the bottom of the "Run" window. A window will appear showing the contents of the Windows "system32" folder.
Step 8. Enable the display of hidden items and file extensions
Follow these instructions:
- Access the card View;
- Select the "Hidden items" checkbox;
- Select the "Filename extensions" checkbox.
Step 9. Locate the system file "WgaLogon.dll"
The easiest way to do this is to type the wga character set into the search bar in the upper right corner of the window and wait for the "WgaLogon.dll" file to appear in the list of results.
Step 10. Rename the "WgaLogon.dll" file
Select it with the right mouse button, choose the option Rename from the context menu that appeared and replace the current filename extension with the string.bak. At this point, press the Enter key.
- Now the full name of the file under examination should be "WgaLogon.dll.bak".
- You may need to reconfirm your choice. If necessary, press the button Yup or OK in order to proceed.
Step 11. Create an empty file and rename it with the name "WgaLogon.dll"
Follow these instructions:
- Select an empty point in the window relating to the "system32" folder with the right mouse button;
- Choose the voice New one from the context menu that appeared;
- Select the option Text document;
- Type the keyword WgaLogon in the filename field;
- Now replace the.txt extension with.dll;
- Press the Enter key. If prompted, also press the button Yup.
Step 12. Locate the "WgaTray.exe" file both in the "system32" folder and in the "Task Manager" window
Since you need to delete both items at the same time in a 5-second time frame, you'll need to locate both of them now to be ready. Follow these instructions:
- Inside the "system32" folder: the "WgaTray.exe" file should already be visible in the window if the search string "wga" is still present in the relative bar;
- Inside the "Task Manager" window: access the tab Processes, scroll down the list until you find the process named "WgaTray.exe", then select it with a click of the mouse.
Step 13. Delete both "WgaTray.exe" items
Select the "WgaTray.exe" file in the "system32" folder and press the Delete key on the keyboard, then quickly switch to the "Task Manager" window and press the button End process or End activity located in the lower right corner.
Step 14. Now restart your computer
After the boot process is complete, the Windows Genuine Advantage program notification should no longer appear.
After installing some critical operating system updates you may need to repeat this procedure as the "WgaTray.exe" file may have been restored by the update installation
Advice
- By running the slmgr.vbs / rearm command via the "Command Prompt" you can extend your Windows 7 free trial period for 3 times.
- Even if you use an invalid copy of Windows, you will still receive the most critical system updates (for example, those related to security).
- Operating systems manufactured by Microsoft prior to Windows 2000 do not integrate the Windows Genuine Advantage internally.
Warnings
- The procedure described in this article simply deletes the activation notification, it has no effect on the authenticity of your copy of Windows.
- By editing the wrong files you run the risk of crashing the entire operating system.
- Using a pirated copy of Windows is illegal in most countries around the world.
