Remove “You may be a victim of software counterfeiting” notification

Recently, I received more emails from users who are using my servers to activate your Microsoft products asking to solve a problem that has become increasingly common in recent days. It is related to the emergence of a yellowish notification bar with the words “GET GENUINE OFFICE You may be a victim of software counterfeiting. Avoid security risks and get genuine Office now” or “Your license isn’t genuine, and you may be a victim of software counterfeiting. Avoid interruption and keep your files safe with genuine Office today” on their apps.

I have tried my best to reply to all your emails but I could not because the number of emails I receive each day is a large amount. Sometimes you might not get any answers,  I also feel sorry about that. That is why that I decided to write this article.

The reason

One thing for sure that the question “what is the cause of the problem?” would be raised. Actually, this problem is not serious. I think it is just a notification used to warn clients who purchased digital activation scripts of Office from eBay, Alibaba or any online shopping sites on the internet that you activated your Office with a trial license instead of a genuine product key. Many placed dependence upon sellers’ words and thought that they bought at a bargain. In fact, they have been ripped off because what they got exactly is the KMS script and it is shared on my blog for free. But sadly, most people are still unfamiliar with it.

The solution

A detailed solution was introduced in a recent article on the Microsoft website. Besides, if you usually follow the MSG community you may already know that there was a heated discussion on this issue. Active members have suggested various solutions for several days and finally we find the best one. I would like to extend my grateful thanks to DrVlaming, Vanchester90 and other ones for your kind support.

We had the answer though there are still a lot of people asking me to confirm the authenticity of the solution. That is why today I decide to put the solution on the MSG homepage instead of the MSG forum.

Method 1. Change KMS server

Step 1.1: Open the command prompt app on your Windows with admin rights.

open command prompt app with admin rights
open command prompt app with admin rights

Step 1.2: Change your KMS server address then reactivate your Office app.

Run the command below to go to the Office folder.

cd /d "%ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Office16"

If you see the error “The system cannot find the path specified”, please try this one.

cd /d "%ProgramFiles(x86)%\Microsoft Office\Office16"

Run the following command to extend your Office KMS license.

cscript //nologo slmgr.vbs /ckms >nul&cscript //nologo slmgr.vbs /ckms >nul&cscript //nologo ospp.vbs /setprt:1688 >nul&cscript //nologo ospp.vbs /sethst:107.175.77.7 >nul&cscript //nologo ospp.vbs /act

Finally, please open your Office app then check that the notification was removed.

Method 2. Disable optional connected experiences

How to disable the annoying notification bar on Microsoft Office apps.

Step 2.1: Open your Office app.
Just start the Office program which has annoying notification.

Step 2.1: Open Privacy Settings.
Goto File > Options > General > Privacy Settings or Home > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings > Privacy Options > Privacy Settings. At this dialog box, uncheck the “Enable optional connected experiences” option.

Remove "GET GENUINE OFFICE You may be a victim of software counterfeiting. Avoid security risks and get genuine Office" notification
Disable optional connected experiences

Step 2.3: Restart your Office app.
Close your app and reopen it to apply changes to the settings.

After completing the above steps, the notification should be gone.

If you would have any questions or concerns, please leave your comments. I would be glad to explain in more details. Thank you so much for all your feedback and support!

5/5 - (126 votes)

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450 Comments

  1. Can you please confirm the method that will remove the warning from office 2016 and 2019. the method did worked for few days before the warning came again.
    i reinstall it and still the same. but the office is activated in the accounts.
    Can you please confirm the guides the others shared if any works for 64 bit for both offices?
    thanks

  2. Hi there!
    This works perfect.
    I use, en CMD mode ADMINISTRATOR the follow:
    (A) = x64
    (B) = x32

    * STEP 1: (VALIDATE LICENSE STATUS)

    (A1) cscript “%ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Office16\ospp.vbs” /dstatus
    (B1) cscript “%ProgramFiles(x86)%\Microsoft Office\Office16\ospp.vbs” /dstatus
    ——————————————————————————

    * STEP 2: (REMOVE LICENSES)

    (A2) cscript “%ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Office16\ospp.vbs” /unpkey:6MWKP
    (B2) cscript “%ProgramFiles(x86)%\Microsoft Office\Office16\ospp.vbs” /unpkey:VMFTK
    ——————————————————————————
    * STEP 3: (RECTIFY LICENSING STATUS WITH STEP 1) OPEN OFFICE

    //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
    //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

    * STEP 4: (SELECT OFFICE ROUTE)

    cd /d %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Office16
    cd /d %ProgramFiles(x86)%\Microsoft Office\Office16
    ——————————————————————————

    * STEP 5: (MAKE IT WORK)

    cd C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16
    cscript ospp.vbs /inpkey:NMMKJ-6RK4F-KMJVX-8D9MJ-6MWKP
    cscript ospp.vbs /sethst:kms.srv.crsoo.com
    (may be replace with cscript ospp.vbs /sethst:193.29.63.133)
    cscript ospp.vbs /act

    ——————————————————————————

    (PROCESS FOR 2016)
    THE SAME STEPS 1 TO 4 APPLY AND STEP 5 is just to replace
    the other serial and place this XQNVK-8JYDB-WJ9W3-YJ8YR-WFG99

    *PASO 1: (VALIDAR ESTADO LICENCIAS)

    (A1) cscript “%ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Office16\ospp.vbs” /dstatus
    (B1) cscript “%ProgramFiles(x86)%\Microsoft Office\Office16\ospp.vbs” /dstatus
    ——————————————————————————
    *PASO 2: (QUITAR LICENCIAS)

    (A2) cscript “%ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Office16\ospp.vbs” /unpkey:6MWKP
    (B2) cscript “%ProgramFiles(x86)%\Microsoft Office\Office16\ospp.vbs” /unpkey:VMFTK
    ——————————————————————————
    *PASO 3: (RECTIFICAR ESTADO LICENCIAS CON EL PASO 1)ABRIR OFFICE

    //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
    //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

    *PASO 4: (SELECCIONAR RUTA OFFICE)

    cd /d %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Office16
    cd /d %ProgramFiles(x86)%\Microsoft Office\Office16
    ——————————————————————————
    *PASO 5: (HACER QUE FUNCIONE)

    cd C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16
    cscript ospp.vbs /inpkey:NMMKJ-6RK4F-KMJVX-8D9MJ-6MWKP
    cscript ospp.vbs /sethst:kms.srv.crsoo.com
    cscript ospp.vbs /act
    ——————————————————————————
    (PROCESO PARA EL 2016)
    APLICAN LOS MISMOS PASOS DEL 1 AL 4 Y EL PASO 5 solo es reemplazar
    el otro serial y colocan este XQNVK-8JYDB-WJ9W3-YJ8YR-WFG99

    1. Sorry!

      * STEP 1: (VALIDATE LICENSE STATUS)

      (A1) cscript “%ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Office16\ospp.vbs” /dstatus
      (B1) cscript “%ProgramFiles(x86)%\Microsoft Office\Office16\ospp.vbs” /dstatus
      ——————————————————————————

      * STEP 2: (REMOVE LICENSES)

      (A2) cscript “%ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Office16\ospp.vbs” /unpkey:*****
      (B2) cscript “%ProgramFiles(x86)%\Microsoft Office\Office16\ospp.vbs” /unpkey:*****
      *****: obtained in STEP 1 or AAct_x64.exe or AAct.exe of Ratiborus
      ——————————————————————————
      * STEP 3: (RECTIFY LICENSING STATUS WITH STEP 1) OPEN OFFICE

      //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
      //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

      * STEP 4: (SELECT OFFICE ROUTE)

      cd /d %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Office16
      cd /d %ProgramFiles(x86)%\Microsoft Office\Office16
      ——————————————————————————

      * STEP 5: (MAKE IT WORK)

      cd C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16
      cscript ospp.vbs /inpkey:NMMKJ-6RK4F-KMJVX-8D9MJ-6MWKP
      cscript ospp.vbs /sethst:kms.srv.crsoo.com
      (may be replace with cscript ospp.vbs /sethst:193.29.63.133)
      cscript ospp.vbs /act

      ——————————————————————————

      (PROCESS FOR 2016)
      THE SAME STEPS 1 TO 4 APPLY AND STEP 5 is just to replace
      the other serial and place this XQNVK-8JYDB-WJ9W3-YJ8YR-WFG99

      *PASO 1: (VALIDAR ESTADO LICENCIAS)

      (A1) cscript “%ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Office16\ospp.vbs” /dstatus
      (B1) cscript “%ProgramFiles(x86)%\Microsoft Office\Office16\ospp.vbs” /dstatus
      ——————————————————————————
      *PASO 2: (QUITAR LICENCIAS)

      (A2) cscript “%ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Office16\ospp.vbs” /unpkey:*****
      (B2) cscript “%ProgramFiles(x86)%\Microsoft Office\Office16\ospp.vbs” /unpkey:*****

      *****: obtenido en PASO 1 o AAct_x64.exe or AAct.exe de Ratiborus
      ——————————————————————————
      *PASO 3: (RECTIFICAR ESTADO LICENCIAS CON EL PASO 1)ABRIR OFFICE

      //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
      //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

      *PASO 4: (SELECCIONAR RUTA OFFICE)

      cd /d %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Office16
      cd /d %ProgramFiles(x86)%\Microsoft Office\Office16
      ——————————————————————————
      *PASO 5: (HACER QUE FUNCIONE)

      cd C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16
      cscript ospp.vbs /inpkey:NMMKJ-6RK4F-KMJVX-8D9MJ-6MWKP
      cscript ospp.vbs /sethst:kms.srv.crsoo.com
      cscript ospp.vbs /act
      ——————————————————————————
      (PROCESO PARA EL 2016)
      APLICAN LOS MISMOS PASOS DEL 1 AL 4 Y EL PASO 5 solo es reemplazar
      el otro serial y colocan este XQNVK-8JYDB-WJ9W3-YJ8YR-WFG99

    2. Unfortunately this tutorial didn’t work for me.

      I got this tutorial on the internet and it worked, mine is Office 2019.

      1 – Search the CMD start menu, and open it as administrator.
      2 – With the command prompt open, type the code:
      cd “\Program Files\Common Files\microsoft shared\ClickToRun”
      3 – After, enter the second code:
      OfficeC2rclient.exe /update user updatetoversion=16.0.13801.20266
      4 – Wait for updates from the office.
      5. After the update message, just open the office

      1. The tutorial from the post doesn’t work but the steps from your comment actually worked on me! Thanks a lot! :^D

      2. Gracias por la solución publicada AMoreira, funcionó y ya no tengo el problema. Súper su solución, gracias nuevamente. Un abrazo.

      3. mind to explain what does it do? i assume its downgrading the office so older version office doesnt check the licensing, cuz i went to check the office version i have and its 18.x*x

      4. For me Office 2016:

        C:\>cd C:\Program Files\Common Files\microsoft shared\ClickToRun

        C:\Program Files\Common Files\microsoft shared\ClickToRun>OfficeC2RClient.EXE /update user updatetoversion=16.0.13801.20266

        C:\Program Files\Common Files\microsoft shared\ClickToRun>

  3. Ciao Ho fatto tutte le prove come descritto, ma la barra gialla della notifica continua a uscire

  4. Hi – I tried both methods and they did not work and now I am also getting a big, u**y splash screen as well as the banner that I think corresponds to with the latest MS Upgrade I received – not positive but think so,.

    With Method 1, I eliminated the check box on two office apps but with the rest they were unchecked to begin with

    With Method 2, and running the CMD Prompt as an Admin, I received “The System was unable to find the specified registry of value.” for both entries.

    I see there are some entries below with other things to do that I need to look at but I would appreciate a solution here.

    Thank you –

    Also FYI – I think I was one of the “victims” you spoke about – I paid for what I thought was an OEM license for Office 2019 some time ago and then was directed to MS Guides.

  5. two methods does not work for me. I recently deleted reg keys and also uncheck the connection services. But recently pop up appeard and I could not found issue

  6. I am running Office 2016. I ran the .cmd file and I was able to use my Word & Excel programs fine for a while and then I stared to get the YELLOw warning bar and another large window saying “There is a problem with your Office license. I came to this page and applyed both methods above and I continue getting the same warnings.
    Method 2 was unsuccessful with a note it could not find the key.
    Method 1 I unchecked the box for All connected experiences.
    I have tried the option below changing the IP to “193.29.63.133” without success.

    1. You don’t change an IP to this other one, you change the domain kms8.msguides.com into the given IP. Namely the registry key KeyManagementServiceName in [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SoftwareProtectionPlatform\0ff1ce15-a989-479d-af46-f275c6370663\d450596f-894d-49e0-966a-fd39ed4c4c64]

      At least for me that’s where it was. I changed it and worked.

  7. Hi, the first command you have shown on this website works, but on the second command ” reg delete “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\OfficeSoftwareProtectionPlatform” /f /v KeyManagementServiceName “, it prompts up as “error the system was unable to find the specified registry key or vALUE. ” help pls

    1. cd /d %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Office16
      cd /d %ProgramFiles(x86)%\Microsoft Office\Office16

      cscript ospp.vbs /sethst:193.29.63.133
      cscript ospp.vbs / act

      Thanks to Francisco!

  8. On one of my pc with MS office 2019 64 bit, successfully removed the non-genuine message after the server procedure change to 193.29.63.133 method. But on another pc with MS office 2019 32 bit despite successfully completing the CMD command but failed to remove the non-genuine message. I rolled back the update which worked. After thinking for a moment, I uninstalled the 32 bit MS office and installed the 64 bit version. This time like the previous PC successfully removed the non-genuine message and have updated to the latest build 14026.20308. Reopening any office document now does not show the non-genuine message anymore. :heart_eyes: In fact after uninstalling the 32 bit version( after running the server change procedure which failed to remove the non-genuine message) and installing the 64 bit, the MS office was automatically activated without requiring the CMD activation. I then proceeded to update to latest version, which upon updating, did not present with the non-genuine message.

  9. **Office Package Rollback Procedure;**

    Open Command Prompt as administrator

    Enter Below code and hit Enter;
    cd “\Program Files\Common Files\microsoft shared\ClickToRun”

    After the above code again Enter below code and Hit Enter;
    OfficeC2rclient.exe /update user updatetoversion=16.0.13801.20266

    THATS ALL YOUR OFFICE PACKAGE WILL WORK SMOOTH WITHOUT THE ANNOYING POPUP! :grinning:

    Open Any office App Goto Accounts > Disable Automatic Update

    **Office Package Server changing procedure to “193.29.63.133”**

    Open Command Prompt as Administrator

    Enter the below code and Hit Enter;

    64 bit User
    cd /d %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Office16

    32 bit User
    cd /d %ProgramFiles(x86)%\Microsoft Office\Office16

    After the above code again Enter the below code and Hit Enter;
    cscript ospp.vbs /sethst:193.29.63.133

    Finally Enter the below code and Hit Enter;
    cscript ospp.vbs /act

      1. Ditto, Rollback worked. Nothing else I have tried did. And I tried the **Office Package Server changing procedure to “193.29.63.133”** method prior.

    1. Hello
      I did all and is not working:

      C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office16>cscript ospp.vbs /sethst:193.29.63.133
      Microsoft (R) Windows Script Host Versão 5.812
      Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation. Todos os direitos reservados.
      —Processing—————————————————————–
      Successfully applied setting.
      ——————————————Exiting—————————–

      C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office16>cscript ospp.vbs /act
      Microsoft (R) Windows Script Host Versão 5.812
      Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation. Todos os direitos reservados.

      —Processing—————————————————————–
      Installed product key detected – attempting to activate the following product:
      SKU ID: d450596f-894d-49e0-966a-fd39ed4c4c64
      LICENSE NAME: Office 16, Office16ProPlusVL_KMS_Client edition
      LICENSE DESCRIPTION: Office 16, VOLUME_KMSCLIENT channel
      Last 5 characters of installed product key: WFG99

      —————————————
      Installed product key detected – attempting to activate the following product:
      SKU ID: d7279dd0-e175-49fe-a623-8fc2fc00afc4
      LICENSE NAME: Office 16, Office16O365HomePremR_Grace edition
      LICENSE DESCRIPTION: Office 16, RETAIL(Grace) channel
      Last 5 characters of installed product key: KHGM9
      ERROR CODE: 0xC004F017
      ERROR DESCRIPTION: The Software Licensing Service reported that the license is not installed.
      ———————————————————————————Exiting—————————–

      1. I notice that you are installing 32 bit Office16 but toward the last part CMD log says LICENSE NAME: Office 16, Office16O365HomePremR_Grace edition
        LICENSE DESCRIPTION: Office 16, RETAIL(Grace) channel. Is this correct? Could it be your trying to activate office 365 version?

        1. You are right, but this wasn´t my input. It´s the result after “C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office16>cscript ospp.vbs /act”
          I´m trying to remove the message about th license not being original.
          Now, all the time, MSOffice is trying to get updates but it´s failing. I don´t know where is this command, because it´s not at the start folder. Maybe a service?

          1. I did again what you (drpukal) told:

            cd “\Program Files\Common Files\microsoft shared\ClickToRun”
            OfficeC2rclient.exe /update user updatetoversion=16.0.13801.20266
            And it works… Office did the update, the annoying message disappear, without doing (again) the next lines of your suggestion,
            Thanks

    2. At last!!!!
      Thank you very much. This is the only working solution for me.
      Thank you once again.

  10. Please go the troubleshooting link above and look for last few posting. It might help some. It worked for me, removed the non-genuine message while keeping updated to Build 14026.30308 in both my PCs.

  11. I’ve tried both methods and have been unsuccessful so far:
    – Method 1: I do not get the “Optional Experiences” option
    – Method 2: Error message “The system was unable to find the specified registry key or value”.

    Any thoughts/suggestions?

  12. Hi Guang,
    Good day to you.
    I follow your advise by using both method but still can’t remove the ” get genuine office” yellow notification.
    at command prompt it show this error:
    The system was unable to find the specified registry key or value.

    can you help to resolve it ?

  13. 2021/6/21
    This worked for me:

    1. Download the latest version of Office 2019, and make sure it’s from Microsoft (should be “ProPlus2019Retail.img”)

    2. Completely uninstall Office 2019
    — First, follow these steps from msguides.com: (remove license key)
    https://msguides.com/uninstall-microsoft-products-trial-kms-license
    — And then download “Microsoft uninstall support tool” from Microsoft.com: (Just run the tool and uninstall Office)
    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/uninstall-office-from-a-pc-9dd49b83-264a-477a-8fcc-2fdf5dbf61d8?ui=en-us&rs=en-us&ad=us
    You must restart your PC after uninstalling Office, And DO NOT install Office by that tool.

    3. Install Office 2019 from the img file.

    4. Follow Msguides.com to activate Office
    https://msguides.com/office-2019

    But at step 4.”Activate your Office using KMS client key”
    You should type

    cscript ospp.vbs /setprt:1688
    cscript ospp.vbs /unpkey:6MWKP >nul
    cscript ospp.vbs /inpkey:NMMKJ-6RK4F-KMJVX-8D9MJ-6MWKP
    cscript ospp.vbs /sethst:193.29.63.133
    cscript ospp.vbs /act

    5. Follow THIS page, uncheck the “Enable optional connected experiences” option.

    DONE, hope it would work for you. Good luck!!

  14. cd /d %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Office16
    cd /d %ProgramFiles(x86)%\Microsoft Office\Office16

    cscript ospp.vbs /sethst:193.29.63.133
    cscript ospp.vbs / act

  15. This worked for me
    cd C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16
    cscript ospp.vbs /sethst:193.29.63.133
    cscript ospp.vbs /act

  16. Disabling connected experiences didn’t work, tried the command prompt but it said it “was unable to find the specified registry key or value” so I still get the message. I tried the other cmd prompts in the comments here but nothing is working for me.

  17. What worked for me:
    1. Install Office 2019 using the ISO
    2. Activate it with the MSGuides .BAT file
    3. Run CMD as administrator
    4. type “cd“ \ Program Files \ Common Files \ microsoft shared \ ClickToRun ””
    5. type “OfficeC2rclient.exe / update user updatetoversion = 16.0.13801.20266”
    6. Wait for Office to update
    7. Open Microsoft Word
    8. Choose that you do not want to send optional diagnostic data
    9. Go to “Account”
    10. Disable updates
    11. Done!
    I hope it helps you

  18. Any of this works for me 🙁
    Here:
    reg delete “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\OfficeSoftwareProtectionPlatform” /f /v KeyManagementServiceName

    the OfficeSoftwareProtectionPlatform key is missing.

    1. I think e have deleted the wrong register too. Now, even after a new instalation my office don’t work. I will reinstal windows to try get office again.
      Or have you any other suggestion?
      🙁

  19. Hi All, Just to contribute

    This also worked for me.

    I just did in admin cmd :
    > cd /d %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Office16
    > cscript ospp.vbs /sethst:193.29.63.133
    > cscript ospp.vbs /act

      1. if your Office 2016 / 2019 is:
        “cd C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16”
        or
        “cd C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office16”

        > cscript ospp.vbs /sethst:193.29.63.133
        > cscript ospp.vbs /act

        1. fivehai,
          This script worked for me to stop the window popping up saying “You software may be counterfeit” or something to that effect. Then when I opened MS Word I would see the yellow banner with a similar message. I have MS Office 2016 Home & Student on my desktop and my laptop and both of them began showing this message recently.

          I would be interested in knowing what this script is actually changing. Could you please give me an explanation? The script did resolve the issue totally on my two machines. Thank you.

          1. I have the same experience as you. I have Office pro plus 2019 installed on windows 10 originally activated by msguides script. Used these in cmd today

            > cd C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office16
            > cscript ospp.vbs /sethst:193.29.63.133
            > cscript ospp.vbs /act

            but still have yellow banner on new document. Dialog box saying counterfeit has been resolved, but yellow banner still shows up. Frustrating

  20. Hi Guys – I tried all the below solutions without success.I managed to get a fix by using Microsoft Toolkit 2.6.4 – selecting Office/Activation/Rearm! Hope this helps folks

  21. Me da error en la linea de Comando

    ERROR: The system was unable to find the specified registry key or value