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I want to know if my Windows 10 is genuine.

Anonymous
2021-03-08T15:30:04+00:00

Hello everyone,

I have purchased a packaged version of Windows 10 few days ago. It came in a Microsoft box with a Microsoft USB, closed "but somehow no booklet in the package". Anyway, I installed the Windows 10 directly from the USB that came in the box. It seems to be working well, and I scratched the code from the product key and used it. It worked. Now, I noticed that the partition C that includes the OS has some folders and files that is "last modified" on older dates than when I first installed my new OS on the PC "it is a new PC as well".

Now, I have some concerns and questions that I will be glad if someone can help me with.

  1. Does this mean that this version of Windows 10 is somehow modified or not quite original?
  2. Can this in any way give anyone an access to my OS or my computer?
  3. Do I need to download the OS from Microsoft website and reinstall it instead of the one I already installed? Or is it OK to keep using what I have already installed?
  4. I also activated Kaspersky Total Security and it is working now, can I use it to solve any problem of this sort or to make sure about my OS?
  5. When I check my activation of Windows 10, it says "...activated with a digital license linked to your Microsoft account", what does this mean? and isn't it weird? since I activated with a "product key" from a packaged version, not a digital license.

About the packaged version: it is "made in Turkey", with a Microsoft USB, and a Product key that shows only the last few numbers, the remaining part had to be scratched to be shown.

About the Windows 10 I have: when I checked, it said "retail", and for updates, I checked and updated until it said "up to date".

About the folders in the partition C: they have certain dates "mainly two from 2019 and 2020". Some names of the folders are: PerfLogs "empty", Windows PowerShell, Windows Portable Devices, Internet Explorer, Windows Multimedia Platform, Windows NT, and some files inside "Windows Defender". And for sure many others. I have no idea what they are, I am just concerned if the OS I am using could be not quite original or that could have some impact on my privacy.

I know it was too much to read, but your help and opinions are really appreciated as well as needed.

Thank you so much.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Security and privacy

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  1. Van S 23,670 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2021-03-08T19:23:19+00:00

    Hi ShadyElOmda,

    This is normal, some of the default folders or files retain their last creation date. Unless the system made some new change or update to those folders or files it will remain to the last date modified.

    Best regards,

    Van

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  1. Van S 23,670 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2021-03-08T16:42:58+00:00

    Hi, I am Van. I'm an Independent Advisor and a Microsoft user like you. I'll be glad to help you today.

    1. The only way to make your Windows 10 genuine is by the type of license installed on the machine. You can verify this by following the steps below.

    a. Click the start menu, then type CMD. Right-click command prompt then select run as administrator.

    b. In the command prompt type or copy-paste the command below

    slmgr /dlv

    c. Send us the result of what it says on the description or product key channel from the pop-up window.

    For home personal use, we usually either OEM or Retail type of license. If you have one of those your Windows 10 is genuine. Also, you mentioned that the one you have is a retail license, You should see in the software licensing manager's product key channel the word Retail.

    1. If you are the only user on the PC, no one can get access to your machine unless you allow to.
    2. For me, to make the machine clean, re-installing Windows 10 from scratch would the best choice. Just make sure to back your important files from the drive in which your OS will be installed if you decided to do so.

    About the bootable installation media to be use. You can either create a new bootable media using the media creation tool from Microsoft or use the one that you have. The only difference is the one that you have is an older version or Windows while the one on the Microsoft website is the latest version. Regardless of which you choose your PC will get the latest version once you update your PC.

    1. You cannot verify your license using Antivirus. Antivirus is only used to protect your PC from malicious threats.
    2. Once you activated your Windows and you are signed-in using your Microsoft account. Windows will automatically register it to the Microsoft server and replace the product key with a digital license which then will be linked to your account.

    Best regards,

    Van

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  1. Van S 23,670 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2021-03-08T18:26:07+00:00

    Hi ShadyElOmda,

    1. Your Windows 10 is legit and genuine

    2-3. Those folders in the C drive are normal folders. I also have the same one on my PC. And you don't have to worry about anyone who can access your machine.

    It is not mandatory to use the OS provided by the official website. If you already have one you can still use it. And it is up to you whenever you want to re-install your Windows. Just be sure to make some preparation before doing so. Like back up your important file. Since the license key is linked to your account. Once your done re-installing and you signed-in to your MS account it will automatically activate. However, have your product key ready for failover. Also, make sure that the license edition is the same as the Windows Edition you are installing.

    Best regards,

    Van

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  1. Nikolino 2,120 Reputation points
    2021-03-08T16:26:41+00:00

    Checking your activation status

    (Click on the heading for detailed information)

    You'll first want to find out if your Windows 10 is activated and linked to your Microsoft account.

    It is essential that you link your Microsoft account to the Windows 10 license on your device.

    Linking your Microsoft account with your digital license enables you to reactivate Windows using the Activation troubleshooter whenever you make a significant hardware change.

    Checking your activation status

    To check activation status in Windows 10, select the Start button, and then select Settings > Update & Security and then select Activation.  Your activation status will be listed next to Activation.

    Check  activation status in Settings

    Which version do I have?

    Go to "Enter text here to search" Textbox

    You write " winver "

    A window will appear with all the information about your Windows version

    Or you click on this link
    Open About settings 

    ms-settings:about?activationSource=SMC-Article-13443

    Addidional Infos: Windows release health

    If this information helped you, please mark this post as "Correct answer" and click on like (hand with thumbs up), so that other members can benefit from this information later.

    I would be happy to know if I could help.

    Nikolino

    I know I don't know anything (Socrates)

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  1. Anonymous
    2021-03-08T18:55:07+00:00

    Hi Van Dennis,

    Thank you so much, you have answered everything and made everything clear to me now. Still, there is something that I don't quite understand, why do those folders and files have such dates older than when I installed my OS?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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