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:e8.us.to >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!
step 1 worked thank you
Method 1 did Not work. Do you have a fix for this? “…product key has been blocked for this geographic location”
—————————————
Installed product key detected – attempting to activate the following product:
SKU ID: a3072b8f-adcc-4e75-8d62-fdeb9bdfae57
LICENSE NAME: Office 19, Office19ProPlus2019R_Retail edition
LICENSE DESCRIPTION: Office 19, RETAIL channel
Last 5 characters of installed product key: 7H8KB
ERROR CODE: 0xC004C017
ERROR DESCRIPTION: The activation server determined the specified product key has been blocked for this geographic location.
—Exiting—————————–
3rd solution worked for me.
open command prompt in administrator mode
Type it:
cd “\Program Files\Common Files\microsoft shared\ClickToRun”
OfficeC2rclient.exe /update user updatetoversion=16.0.13801.20266
disable Microsoft product updates
All this was done and not resolved.
I’m trying on a Win11 VM and neither method unfortunately is removing that get genuine office banner. I’ve been using 2019 on my desktop and laptop with no issues, this isn’t needed just a project of sorts.
Thank you. Method 1 worked flawlessly.
Bravo!
I used the Method 1, its working perfect.
Thank you. Method 1 worked quite nicely.
Thank you very much, the first method worked!
Either of the solutions do not work on Office 2021 (or maybe on others too). The notification bar is after the activation still stands there.
Microsoft obviously made some changes on the “optional connected experiences” options. Disabling all oce is even not working.
Anyone with any solution?
First option worked for me after I copied the OSPP.VBS file to the \system32 folder.
First method worked! Thank you!
Thanks for your help.
How can we change the server back to the previous one, just in case anyone wants to revert?
Dear
Sir I follow your Step But its Not Working.
Sir Please Reply as soon as possible.
I had been clicking on x-corner of that notification, x times. Until I found this article. Method 1 works, thank you sir!
Neither method worked for me, I’m still getting the yellow banner saying: “GET GENUINE OFFICE…”.
Any advice?
Thank you so much, the first method worked!
Well d**n! been trying different methods for weeks, and ran into this, Method 1 worked like a charm!
Method 1 works on MS Office LTSC Professional Plus 2021 version 2209 build15629.20208. Thanks
Hello
always appreciate your work – it’s invaluable.
I tried your method to remove the yellow banners about genuine MS Office and got the following message:
Input Error: Can not find script file “C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16\ospp.vbs”.
What am I doing wrong please?
The connected experience was not enabled
Thanks
Please ignore that, I’m being an idiot – it’s the (x86) folder I wanted!!
Apologies
Both methods didn’t work for me I’m afraid. I may try re-installing the Office suite and running that script again.
Method 1 Worked.. Thanks.
MS is forcing for subscriptions and this is a great answer to corporate bullying.