Windows Activate

[davidanthony]

This last two days I am getting a message from Microsoft to say that there have been some major hardware changes and that this version of Windows needs to be Activated in order for it to be licensed.
There have been no 'major hardware changes' and my version is indeed licensed.
If I click on the item, it takes me to a page offering the latest versions of Windows, - at a price of course
I have the above messge on my desk top which I can not get rid of
Anyone know what this is all about. ?

[ChuckFickens]

Is it a genuine version of windows? if so phone the number provided when you try and activate it and they'll give you a code to activate it.

[Buenchico]

Chuck's answer is the correct one if the message is genuinely being generated by Windows.

However it might also be malware, trying to trick you into paying money for something you don't need and probably won't get. Try downloading, installing and running the free version of Malwarebyte's Anti-Malware (assuming, of course, that you can actually do that while the irritating message is on the screen):
http://www.malwarebyt...4mT_LACFaEhtAodERtMAw

Chris

[ChuckFickens]

Good point by Chris...

If it's a genuine MS alert your desktop background will have changed to plain black with a message saying this isn't a genuine version of windows in the bottom right. if it says that call microsoft, otherwise do as Chris says.

[wildwood]

Certainly a scam. Microsoft does not as a rule scan your computer for hardware changes without asking, so they wouldn't know what's in your comp.

[rojash]

"Certainly a scam. Microsoft does not as a rule scan your computer for hardware changes without asking, so they wouldn't know what's in your comp."

totally wrong. The authentication system checks for changes in your hardware, awarding different point levels for different changes. If your changes result in enough points, you will be asked to re-activate windows. (But, that would not take you to a site where you buy Windows - it would either re-activate automatically, or give you a phone number to ring.).

[wildwood]

^^ Oh, dear, I am so ashamed. I always thought that Microsoft always had to have permission to poke about in your computer's hardware, to evaluate your performance rating or subsequent updates.

[ChuckFickens]

They don't need permission to "poke about in your computer" they do need permission to send the results of that poking about back to their servers, but the authentication system is based solely on your local computer.

[SamualCage]

This is a scam. Microsoft will never do such thing.
I clean the message I suggest you take Cloud System Booster to clean the junks.
http://download.cnet....rm;productListing;pop