It’s also possible that the version of Windows you’re using is valid, but the license key used to authenticate it is being used on more than one computer. If you purchased your Windows computer used-whether from an online seller or a local computer shop-it’s possible that the computer was assembled using a pirated version of the Windows Operating System as a way to save money. The purpose of WGA is to validate your Windows license and ensure you’re using an authentic operating system and not a stolen or pirated version. What Causes the “You May Be A Victim of Software Counterfeiting” Error?Įvery time you update Windows, Microsoft installs a Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) update. Read on to find out what might be causing this error in your system and how you can fix it at home.
Luckily, there are a handful of ways you can troubleshoot this error and get your computer back in working order. When Microsoft realized that many people were using pirated versions of their Windows Operating System, they created an anti-piracy update to flag false versions and prevent the spread of inauthentic software. If you’ve received an error message in Windows that reads, “You may be a victim of software counterfeiting,” the Windows license installed on your computer is likely non-genuine or pirated.
