The situation worsens when your screen turns black after booting and the user interface changes. So, what is the meaning of software counterfeiting on Windows, and how do you fix it?

The software counterfeiting message on Microsoft Windows is a Windows Server Authentication error. The error occurs when the server flags your Windows license as not genuine.

You could also see a similar message if the Windows OS you installed has a missing registry key or lacks permissions related to the Network Service account.

Fixing the issue will depend on whether your Windows installation is genuine. That begins by ensuring you have an activation or product key.

What is the cause of the software counterfeiting message?

Generally, the problem is not as serious as one might think. However, the following could be why your Windows PC displays the message.

• The Windows software does not have a genuine activation key.
• You did not properly activate your copy of Windows.
• You activated your software with a trial license.
• The license key is authentic, but another computer is using it.

If you also bought a pirated version of Windows OS or Microsoft Office, the next Microsoft update will install Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA).

WGA will validate your licenses to determine their authenticity, meaning you will get the counterfeiting message if it is stolen or pirated.

How to fix – you may be a victim of a software counterfeiting error

You can fix the ‘you may be a victim of software counterfeiting’ error by doing the following:

1. Reactivate your Windows operating system

If you have a genuine version of Windows, the error might occur because of an internal glitch. Luckily, you can reactivate your OS with a product key or digital license. Here is how:

• Go to Control Panel.
• Select System and Security.
• Click on System.

Scroll to the bottom to find your Windows Product ID. Copy the ID and follow the steps below:

• Press Windows + R on your keyboard.
• Type slui.exe and press Enter.
• A Windows Activation window will open.
• Click on Type/Retype your product key.
• Press Enter.

If the step does not work, go back to the Windows Activation window. Then:

• Click on Activate Windows online now.
• Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the reactivation.

The activation step may be different if you have Windows 10. Here is how:

• Press Windows + R key.
• Type slul.exe.
• Hit Enter.
• Select the Change product key.
• Enter your product key.
• Hit Enter on the keyboard.

Your system will reactivate and get rid of Microsoft counterfeit warning.

2. Remove Windows Genuine Advantage

Windows Genuine Advantage validates all Windows licenses and allows updates to Microsoft wares. It also displays notifications if you have installed pirated software. 

Noteworthy, WGA is not a vital component of Windows OS. Therefore, removing it will allow your software copy to run and remove the counterfeiting message.

• Press Windows key + R.
• Type Regedit.
• Hit Enter on the keyboard.
• Expand HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.
• Expand the folders in order; Software > Microsoft > Windows NT > CurrentVersion > Winlogon > Notify.
• Right-click on the WgaLogon folder and click on Delete.

The option will delete your WgaLogon folder from your Registry files, eventually removing the counterfeiting message.

3. Disable the Plug and Play Group Policy Service

The licensing service uses Plug and Play to get hardware information. However, the setting can mistake the activation service into believing that your Windows or Microsoft Word is not genuine. Consider disabling.

• Press Windows key + R.
• Type Rsop. msc.
• Hit Enter on your keyboard. The Resultant Set of Policy window will open.
• Click through the path Computer Configuration > Policies > Windows Settings > Security Settings > System Services.
• Go to the right sidebar.
• Locate the Plug and Play service.

If its Startup option is Not Defined, consider the following options:

• Right-click on Plug and Play.
• Select Properties.
• Change the Group Policy for Startup and Permission to Not Defined.
• Close the Resultant Set of Policy window.
• Reboot your computer.

After your computer reboots, consider activating your software or check whether the genuine Office message has disappeared.

4. Restore the previous windows installation

You can manually restore files and data previously present on the old version of your Windows OS to fix the counterfeiting message. Do the following:

• Right-click on My Computer.
• Select Properties.
• Click System Protection.
• Select System Restore.
• Select the oldest Restore Point for Windows.

The restore point is one you had before receiving the software counterfeiting error. At this point, Windows will reboot to restore the files, and the counterfeit message should disappear.   

5. Stop future Windows updates

Anytime Windows updates its software, it also downloads the Windows Genuine Advantage to validate all licenses. You can prevent this by doing the following:

• Go to Start.
• Type Services.
• Select Services (choose the option with a gear).
• Scroll to locate Windows Updates.
• Under the Windows Update Properties window, go to Startup type.
• In the dropdown menu, select Disabled.
• Press Apply then, OK, to complete the setup.

The setup will disable future WGA updates.

What is the difference between pirated and counterfeit software?

Pirated and counterfeit software may mean the same thing but are different. Here is how:

• Counterfeit Software is software that has been produced to look authentic. It involved providing everything about the software, including the box, manuals, product keys, and CDs. If, in the case of Microsoft Office, for example, you will also get the Office license that is not from Microsoft.
• Pirated Software is software that one user has used to install on multiple computers. In this case, a user gets the Office 365 license for single use. However, the user distributes the license to other people, thus preventing them from buying from Microsoft.

Conclusion

If your Windows says you may be a victim of software counterfeiting, your OS does not have a genuine activation key, or you did not properly activate your copy of Windows. You can fix this by reactivating your Windows license.

Alternatively, remove Windows Genuine Advantage, disable Plug and Play Group Policy service, or restore the previous Windows installation. Another option is to stop future updates to prevent Windows from adding WGA.

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The post Windows: You maybe a victim of software counterfeiting appeared first on AppDrum.

Sometimes the headset may be working, but the people on the other end cannot hear you. In both of these situations, you need to identify the cause of the problem before you apply a fix.

The advantage of Windows OS is that it is almost possible to know what is causing an issue with a specific component.

For example, a faulty microphone, app permissions, a muted headset, low mic volume, and other hardware problems can cause a normal or gaming headset mic not to work.

How to fix headset microphone not working on Windows PC

If your headset microphone is not working on Windows PC, try the following troubleshooting steps to fix it.

1. Increase the microphone volume

When your microphone is too low or does not appear to work at all, the volume is low. Try the following:

• Connect the headset microphone correctly to your Windows PC and position it correctly
• Increase your microphone volume by going to Start > Settings > System > Sound
• Under Input, select your microphone to see its properties
• Go to Input volume and adjust the blue bar as you speak into the microphone

You can also test your microphone by clicking on Test your microphone and Start test to troubleshoot other issues with your microphone.

2. Allow your PC to access the headset microphone

When your PC won’t detect the headset mic, you should give your headset app permission to use your PC. Do the following:

• Go to Start > Settings > Privacy > Microphone
• Turn on Microphone access
• Also, turn on the option Let apps access your microphone

You may also have to select which apps can access your microphone. The steps above work for Windows 10 and later versions.

3. Set your microphone as the default

Your headset mic should be the default media device to ensure optimal function. You should make sure that it is not disabled on your PC since it will not work.

You can adjust the microphone settings on Windows as follows:

• Press the Windows logo key + R key to open the Run dialog
• Type control and press Enter on your keyboard to open the Control Panel
• Select Small Icons at the View by drop-down menu
• Select Sound
• Select the Recording tab
• Right-click on the empty place inside the device list
• Mark Show Disabled Devices
• Right-click the Headset Microphone
• Click Enable
• Right-click it again and select Set as Default Device
• Right-click Headset Microphone and click Properties
• Go to the Levels tab
• Increase the volume slider to the highest number
• Click OK and then finish the setup

The above steps ensure your mic is the default media device and the volume is up.

4. Check your audio drivers

In some cases, your Windows PC is not picking up the headset mic because your audio drivers are out-of-date. The best way is to download the driver from your PC’s manufacturer.

However, you can also try the following:

• Press Windows logo key + R and type devmgmt.msc to open Device Manager
• Expand Sound, video, and game controllers
• Right-click on High Definition Audio Device
• Select Update Driver
• Select Browse my computer for driver software
• Follow the prompts to select a driver
• Alternatively, you can search for the driver automatically on the internet and install it

After the installation, restart your PC and try again.

5. Check for hardware issues

Hardware issues can cause the headset mic to stop working when connected to your Windows PC. You can try connecting the headset mic to a different computer and see whether it works.

You can also connect the headset to a different port and notice whether there are any changes. If the microphone stops working because of hardware issues, contact an expert to help you fix it.

Is your headset mic working?

If your headset mic is not working on your Windows PC, you can try to fix it in different ways as explained above.

An alternative solution is to check for hardware issues to determine whether the problem is your PC or the headset itself.

• How to fix a Realtek microphone that is not working?

The post Headset mic is not working on Windows PC? How to fix appeared first on AppDrum.

The new iTunes version also allows you to reorganize your iPhone’s files, specifically music and photos.

Unlike macOS, Windows as an ecosystem has a different approach to storing backed-up files. In case you want to access the backed-up data, Windows 10 does not have an easily accessible iTunes backup location.

This article explores the best ways to copy iTunes backup, change the backup location, and –in case you do not need the files – how to delete them.

How to manage iTunes backup location

iTunes backup files on the Windows 10 devices are automatically stored in the system drive. The choice of location makes it easier to access them through iTunes. However, the lack of file management may affect your PC performance.

In managing iPhone backup on a PC, you can either archive iTunes backup files or, in some cases, delete them. To archive or delete iTunes backup, follow these steps.

• Close iTunes on your Windows 10 device
• Click on your file explorer and head straight to Local Disk C
• Select ‘Users’ and then open the option with your user name
• Click the first option, which is ‘AppData.’
• The first option under AppData is Apple Computer. Select it and then select “Mobile synch.”

The steps lead to the iTunes backup location. If you want to archive the iTunes folder, rename the folder. However, if you are going to erase the folder, right-click and select delete.

Change iPhone backup location in Windows 10

While iTunes only backs up selective files, you cannot account for the used space on your Windows 10 device. Unaccounted files – on the system drive – may affect your PC performance. Therefore, you should regularly change your iPhone backup folder on PC.

To change the iPhone backup location, follow these two steps:

• First, find iPhone backup files on Windows 10, by pasting %APPDATA%\Apple Computer\MobileSync on your Windows Start Menu
• Copy the iTunes backup folder and move it to your preferred location.

Once you have moved the iPhone backup folder, you cannot access it through iTunes. If you are still interested in accessing the folder in the future through iTunes, you must create a symbolic link. Symbolic link makes accessing the moved folder easier from iTunes.

To create a symbolic link, follow these three steps:

• On the system drive where the backup folder was, click ‘shift,’ and then right-click.
• You will get ten options, select “Open command window here”
• Paste “%APPDATA%\Apple Computer\MobileSync\Backup” “E:\Backup” on the Command Window to create a symbolic link

Conclusion

The steps and links provided above are useful for iOS and Windows 10 users, who are not only interested in space management but also efficiency.

While iTunes has frequent updates, the steps and tips outlined above are not subject to software updates. Also, it is advisable to ensure that you back up your iPhone on PC at least once every month.

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The post Find and change iTunes backup location on Windows 10 appeared first on AppDrum.