How could unlicensed Windows 10 end up on your computer?
When migrating from a previous operating system.
Most often, we trust the work of setting up a computer to specialists. It’s the same with the transition from old Windows to Windows 10. They called a technician, he tinkered with the computer, showed us a brand new working 10, took money for the visit and left. But we have no idea what he did there. An unscrupulous “master” could easily supply an unlicensed product simply because it was easier for him. Worse, having left you with a pirated program, he could also take your license key with him. Therefore, trust, but verify!
When purchasing a used computer
A very common option is to receive Windows 10 without a license as a “gift” for a laptop purchased second-hand. It's simple, a pirated copy could be installed on a computer and activated using an activator program.
Despite the fact that Windows is actively fighting piracy, there is software like KMSAuto Net. This exploits a Microsoft vulnerability in activating operating systems for corporate networks. With this activation, the KMS server distributes licenses to corporate users. KMSAuto Net works very simply, it emulates a KMS server and distributes license keys to home network users.
You can detect installed KMSAuto Net by several signs:
- Based on the presence of a working folder at C:ProgramDataKMSAutoS
- By the presence of the KMSAutoNet in the task scheduler
The presence of a folder named KMSAutoS or KMSAutoNet task in the task scheduler is not in itself evidence of an unlicensed Windows 10 operating system, but indirectly, almost exactly, indicates this possibility.
Verification methods
It should be noted right away that the Windows 7 distribution itself can be neither licensed nor pirated. It becomes a licensed OS only after entering the license code, which, in fact, is what you pay for when purchasing the system, and not for the distribution itself. Moreover, when you reinstall the OS, you can use the same license code to install another distribution. After that it will also become licensed. But if you do not enter the code, then after the end of the trial period you will not be able to fully work with this OS. A message indicating the need for activation will also appear on the screen. Actually, just after unscrupulous persons carry out activation not by purchasing a license, but by using various workarounds, the operating system becomes pirated.
There are also cases when several operating systems are simultaneously activated with the same key. This is also illegal unless otherwise stated in the terms of the applicable license. Therefore, it is possible that initially on all computers this key will be identified as a license key, but after the next update the license will be reset, since Microsoft will detect fraud, and you will have to buy it again to reactivate it.
The most obvious evidence that you are not using a licensed OS is when a message appears after turning on the computer stating that your version of Windows is not activated. But it is not always so easy to find out the answer to the question raised in this topic. There are a number of ways to check Windows 7 for authenticity. Some of them are carried out visually, while others are carried out through the operating system interface. In addition, previously verification could be carried out directly on the Microsoft web resource, but now this option is no longer available. Next, we will talk in more detail about current authentication options.
Method 1: By sticker
If you purchased a desktop computer or laptop with an operating system already installed, then look for a sticker on the case in the form of a sticker with the Windows logo and license code. If you don’t find it on the case, then try to find it in the installation disks that you received when you purchased your computer, or inside other materials you received. If such a sticker is found, there is a high probability that the OS is licensed.
Why do you need to know the activation key?
In the Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 operating systems, the corporation's developers resorted to a primitive method to determine the code. Information about the version installed on a computer or laptop was provided on a tag located on the back of the device. With the release of the “ten” and the expansion of digital technologies, Microsoft decided to abandon this feature.
A unique code is needed if the trial period has expired and you need to activate the system, or the PC owner decides to reinstall the genuine version. Now, to determine the serial key, Windows 10 users have to resort to various techniques.
How to check if Windows 10 is licensed?
Attention! In addition to unlicensed Windows, the WinRAR archiver is very common. The trick is that WinRAR provides a trial period for free. And at the end of this period, the program automatically, without warning , becomes illegal if you have not paid for it. The program is small, yet its presence provides the same grounds for initiating a case and for seizing a computer!
So, based on the above, to check whether Windows 10 is licensed on your computer, you need to make sure that:
- Operating system activated
- Activated without errors, legally, and not using an activator program
Checking the activation of Windows 10
Go to "Options"
in the window that opens, select “Update and Security”, then “Activation”,
We read: “The Windows system is activated using a digital license.” The message may be different, because you can activate the system using a key. The method of activation does not matter, the main thing here is that the system is ACTIVATED.
Checking the legality of activation
We do this through the command line, using the built-in tools of Windows 10. Let me remind you that you can call the command line directly from the built-in search. To do this, click on the magnifying glass image in the taskbar and type cmd .
Run Command Prompt as Administrator. Right-click on it and select “Run as administrator” from the dialog menu that opens.
We go to the command line as an administrator, type slmgr –ato and fearlessly press Enter ! This window should please you with a message that the operating system is completely legal:
Message about successful activation of licensed Windows 10
The fact of activation is confirmation that the version of Windows is genuine and complies with all the rules of the license agreement.
It may turn out that not everything is as smooth and pleasant as we would like, and after entering slmgr –ato and pressing Enter , you will see this or a similar message, the meaning of which boils down to an error notification:
Windows 10 activation error when checking license
What does this mean? That there is no license activation. This means that Windows 10 is not licensed. In any case, your work was not in vain. Now at least you know about the problem and it will not come as a surprise to you at the most inopportune moment.
For example, when arriving in the UAE, laptops are randomly checked for contents right at the airport. Just imagine how, at best, you can simply fly back without visiting the country, or you can unwittingly stay there for several years. After all, their laws are a harsh thing.
Command Line Authentication
The easiest and fastest way to find out which version is installed on your computer. Click the "Start" button and in the search bar - where the magnifying glass is drawn, enter cmd. Run the found file as administrator by right-clicking on it.
In the interface that opens, type slmgr –ato and press Enter. A new window will appear with information about checking the authenticity of the license. If everything is ok, there will be a notification that the activation was successful. If it is a pirated version, an error message will appear.
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Source
What does unlicensed Windows 10 mean?
Licensed Windows 10 is considered an activated software product purchased under a license or obtained by upgrading from previous versions of the operating system . All other options, of which two can be distinguished, are unlicensed products. These include:
- Licensed, non-activated (checked by the presence of activation, or rather by its absence)
- Pirated, activated by an activator program (checked by the presence of an activation error and/or the presence of an activator program)
The only legal version of the operating system is activated (without additional programs and errors) Windows 10.
