Windows 7 build 7601 "not genuine" after update

Hello all I am new here. 1st post. A few weeks back I turned my laptop on to see that after 4 years with my laptop that now my OS (Windows 7 home premium 64 bit) was somehow not genuine anymore. I've called Microsoft and talked to them 3 different times and have spent 6-7 hours trying different remedies to possible fix my issues. Nothing worked and they told me I would have to back up all my data and re-install Windows. Frustrated I gave up because I didn't have a hard drive big enough to back up all my data and I was fed up with all the dead ends Microsoft send me down. Since then I have recently purchased a external hard drive and done extensive reading and searching around the web to find a possible fix to my solution. That solution has yet to surface. Which is why I am here asking for help from anybody willing to assist.

Before anybody does try to help some background on the situation. My copy of Windows is legit and was pre installed on my laptop when I purchased it. My laptop will not connect to the Internet for some strange reason but I can do just about everything else on it. I do have access to the Internet on other PCs I have. I downloaded a program called Macrium Reflect to back up my data. I'm a noob on backing up and re-installing Windows because I've never had this issues before.

Thank you to anyone who took the time to read this and help please.

IF it cannot connect to the web it will turn Non genuine, it does a minor check every time you start-up and a major one every 90 days.
We need to find why its not connecting to the net before we can progress.
1st stop go controlpanel>>devicemanager> any ! or down arrows, on any driver, especially network adapters or problem devices.

Roy

There is a yellow ! On "WD SES Device USB Device" under the Other Devices section

Hi Smmov,
If W7 is on that Western digital HD you need those drivers, should be on the CD that came with it.

Roy

I just got the hard drive a few days ago. It came with no CD

OK
on your other comp search the WD site for that Model, copy the drivers to a usb stick and update it from there.

Roy

Ok I downloaded the drivers and installed them onto the laptop now there is no yellow ! signs at all in the device manager section. But that still doesn't remedy the original issue with the operating system. Also of note. I now get a pop up on the start menu telling me that I need to re-install Windows.

Interesting, i have never heard/seen of a pop-up telling me to reinstall windows that's legit.
If its from MS it would also have an error code
It sounds more like a virus.
Download a copy of a portable AV, Emisoft's a good one, make sure its from thier site.

Roy

I have McAfee installed and have had it for years. I also have malwarebites. But I don't think they're doing much since the Internet doesn't connect anymore. The message says "reinstall Windows. A change was made to Windows. You need to reinstall and activate Windows". Also another saying you may be a victim of software counterfeiting"

Hi Smoov,
You can still run a scan with Mwbytes, just untick the check for updates prior to scan in the dashboard.
MS might have asked you to uninstall MacAfee, I am just to see if thats the prob
USE thier uninstaller

Back to Internet.
for starters from an elevated command mode

ipconfig /flushdns .... press enter
ipconfig /registerdns .... press enter
netsh winsock reset .... press enter

REBOOT


Is it Ethernet/wifi/both that wont connect.
Have you run the Troubleshoot problems in Network and sharing centre.
Lets compare the SAME type of connection to a working one
Network sharing >> change adapter settings >> select connection RIGHT click >>
(details on the following 2 screens should be identical apart from the ipv6 address)
status >> detail.

Roy


Do you have a restore point prior to your problem, tick the show more box