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.
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 /actFinally, 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.
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!
At last, someone suggesting something different to every other Tom, D**k and Harry!
I have tried every suggestion over the last week without success. Possibly Office versions prior to March 2021 may not be so hard to fix, from what I have read.
Method 1 worked, method 2 as many people suggest/report does not work.
Fixed, thank you, thank you, thank you!
MS Office LTSC Professional Plus 2021 version 2209 build15629.20152
Only time will tell if updates bring this banner back. But for now I will allow updates.
I have come across MS Guides webpages several times when looking for “free versions” of Office downloads, fixes etc, so to stumble across another page where they also had the solution to this banner problem after downloading and activating from a popular site with a patch over one eye 😉 , double thumbs up to MS Guides!!!
method 1 worked on MS Office LTSC Professional Plus 2021 version 2208 build 15601.20148
Did both options, none worked 🙁
You are the king!
The method you provided works for me. Thank you so much.
Thank you!
you are a godsend. I’ve tried so many other methods; seriously everything out there and none worked. the first method in this article did the trick. I’m in your debt, man. thanks.
PS:- office version: MS Office LTSC Professional Plus 2021
Thank you sir
its very useful
TY so much you are a king
You legend
Hello Guang
I am currently still getting that message about my office not being genuine and so far can’t get rid of that message and I have unchecked those boxes under options and privacy settings and still shows up.
There is a problem with KMS server?
Thanks
Just get a “Something went wrong” when applying the updates, previous methods didn’t work either
For those that doesn’t work, i figured out how to make it work with version 2204
1- go to windows/system32 and copy slmgr.vbs to microsoft office/office16 folder
2- copy and paste the command separately
cscript //nologo slmgr.vbs /ckms
cscript //nologo slmgr.vbs /ckms
cscript //nologo ospp.vbs /setprt:1688
cscript //nologo ospp.vbs /sethst:s8.uk.to
cscript //nologo ospp.vbs /act
check it out!
System32 doesn’t contain the address ” microsoft office/office16″ folder on my Windows 10 Laptop
I tried, this did not work. Still getting the same notification on getting genuine office
It looked like it worked perfectly. But when I brought up Word I still have the your license is not genuine blah blah blah
Thank you for trying to help!
I found a later version that worked for me as well.
It is the April 29th version 16.0.13929.20296
cd “\Program Files\Common Files\microsoft shared\ClickToRun”
OfficeC2rclient.exe /update user updatetoversion=16.0.13929.20296
Using the latest version without the nag screen should provide the most “features” before disabling updates.
Thanks Garfield, it worked.
Thanks Garfield. It worked for me too.
both the methods didnt work for me . any other options to diable the message
Method One worked. Thank You
method 1 and method 2, not work for me
neither me
Great, It’s work.
Thanks it works
Thanks,method number One worked like charm.You saved me lot of time.Thanks bro
I working with method (1)
It useful, thanks alot
Change your KMS server address It worked for me
Thank you
It worked for me, Shoukran (Thank you)
Your fix worked for me also, Thank you
Hi Guang,
The best way to fix the issue is to install a Volume License edition of Office in the first place, which can be obtained easily from the Office Deployment Tool (ODT), and for custom configurations to be used in ODT people can visit config.office.com for testing. The KMS licenses will then apply properly without Microsoft thinking it’s counterfeit (since KMS should not be used in retail editions)
Can you elaborate on the solution please?
PS:
I just checked, in case you configure Office 2021 to be installed, the key changes from the (known) KMS volume license key “NMMKJ-6RK4F-KMJVX-8D9MJ-6MWKP” to the 2021 one “FXYTK-NJJ8C-GB6DW-3DYQT-6F7TH”.
Don’t know if the activation would work though. Maybe someone else can try and tell 😉
Adjunct’s solution is the proper way to get rid of the banner. However, I’m blocked from posting my more in-depth version of the solution, for what ever reason. Go with adjunct’s tutorial (and some additions here and there) and Office 2019 will be properly activated without the annoying yellow banner.
I can confirm adjunct’s solution:
1. Head over to https://config.office.com/deploymentsettings and create an xml configuration to your liking (be sure to select a volume license though).
2. Download the ODT at https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=49117.
3. Run the ODT installer (to create the appropriate setup.exe).
4. Run an elevated (e.g. administrator rights) CMD, change directory (cd) to said setup.exe.
5. In the CMD, run setup.exe /download yourxmlfile.xml (this, depending on your configuration file, creates a folder called “Office” somewhere, most likely in the current working directory). Wait until the download has completed (it gives no feedback and takes ridiculously long!).
6. In the very same CMD, run setup.exe /configure yourxmlfile.xml (this will actually install Office according to your configuration file). Keep in mind: Previously installed versions of Office have to be uninstalled first (there will be an error warning if you try it otherwise).
7. If you have previously activated Office with the guides here, no additional activation is needed (if you haven’t, just proceed with the activation, I suppose).
I don’t know which versions this works for, sure does for Office Professional Plus 2019 with the known 2019 volume key (NMMKJ-6RK4F-KMJVX-8D9MJ-6MWKP). If you change the configuration file for Office 2021, the key in the XML file changes to the 2021 volume key (FXYTK-NJJ8C-GB6DW-3DYQT-6F7TH). I don’t know though if the msguides KMS server works for those, Guang would have to answer. I wouldn’t know why it shouldn’t work though.
Please give feedback if it worked for you as well.
Best
MS announced Office 2021 available.
Have you tested this?
(Self-Reply)
I have downloaded pure .img file of office 2021 from MS, information below:
hxxps://www.heidoc.net/joomla/technology-science/microsoft/16-office-2021-direct-download-links
The information here is still useful for 2021.
No annoying message appeared at all.
hello ! !
a few months ago i purchased office 2019 from you. I installed on my windows 10 Dell laptop and everything was working fine. I was sick and hospitalized for a few months and y laptop was turned off. when i started using it again it automatically updated windows and now I get a big screen message everytime I start office telling me that it is not genuine . I tried both your methods listed… but they dont seem to work. I have also re-run the activation command and that returns a message saying it is now registered….
I see that you stated that you are working on a new version of activation code, have you completed it yet ? or is there something else I can do.
Kevin, check the older comments here, they offer a good solution for now
I am worried that if i disable updates, some security breach may appear….
If you still get the yellow box, all you need to do is to follow the below steps
– CMD with selection Admin access
– cd “\Program Files\Common Files\microsoft shared\ClickToRun”
– OfficeC2rclient.exe /update user updatetoversion=16.0.13801.20266
A dialog box will appear to downgrade the Office 2019 to 16.0.13801.20266, just till it completes all the necessary application of changes.
– Launch any application e.g Excel or Word or PowerPoint
– Select Account from left plane
– On the right side under Office Updates
– Click on Office Options for more options
– Select “Disable Updates”
After that all will be gone without any yellow box or message.
For me it works with version 20404 as well.
Thank you, Garfield! Your fix worked for me!
Thanks. Worked.
I am worried that if i disable updates, some security breach may appear….
Then buy a subscription to office 365.
(facepalm)
This is very funny LOL.
You’re Boss, Resolved. Thank You.
Garfield you’re a genius. Thank you!!
thank you. It works.
Thanks, only thing that worked for me.
Hi Mr Garfield, Super your commands helps me to clear the issue” MS OFFICE IS NOT GENUINE” Thanks a lot bro.