I have a laptop I purchased from work that uses Windows 7 as the operating system. I left the company and now the computer wil

[peterallenby]

windows is not genuine message - cannot change adminstrator

 

[USAFRet]

Please restate the full situation and question.

But what I think needs to happen is that you buy a valid copy of Windows for that laptop.

 

[ex_bubblehead]

I'm guessing from "purchased from work" that the laptop is running Windows 7 Enterprise and it now is trying to reach the KMS server to renew its activation, can't reach the server, and raises the "Not Genuine" warning. You're going to have to buy either an OEM or retail copy of Windows 7 and do a clean install.

 

[peterallenby]

I'm guessing from "purchased from work" that the laptop is running Windows 7 Enterprise and it now is trying to reach the KMS server to renew its activation, can't reach the server, and raises the "Not Genuine" warning. You're going to have to buy either an OEM or retail copy of Windows 7 and do a clean install.

Thanks so very much for this answer! It is running Windows 7 Enterprise. HOw do I ensure that all of the files and programs currently installed on the computer remain intact? Do I copy them onto a thumb drive or disk drive before installing a new system?

Should I purchase Windows 7 or 8?

 

[ex_bubblehead]

You won't be able to retain the programs, they will have to be reinstalled. You can use "Windows Easy Transfer" (built-in to Windows 7) to migrate your data and program settings.

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/transfer-your-data-with-windows-easy-transfer/

Just ignore all the Vista references, it's all the same for Windows 7.