When you try to validate a copy of Windows Vista, you may receive an error message that resembles the following:

The Validation service is unable to determine whether this copy of Windows Vista is genuine.

You may receive this error message even though you were able to activate Windows Vista as expected.

Note: Typically, this issue occurs when Windows Vista was preinstalled on a computer by an OEM.

When you try to install Windows Vista, the Windows Vista Setup program does not validate genuine product keys as expected. Additionally, you may receive an error message that resembles the following:

Setup cannot validate your product key. Please review product key and ensure that it has been entered correctly.

This problem occurs when you use a third-party program to extract an ISO image of Windows Vista onto a local hard disk drive.

Notes

• The WinRAR data compression utility is an example of a third-party program that experiences this problem.
• This problem does not occur when you perform either of the following actions:
  • You burn an ISO image of Windows Vista onto a DVD.
  • You use a third-party program to mount an ISO image of Windows Vista on a virtual DVD drive.

When you use Windows Vista, you receive the following error message:

“An unauthorized change was made to your license.”
To keep your system stable, you must go online and validate that your software is genuine:
- Validate Online
- Close

A nice article about validation and pirating. Though Microsoft says it’s pricing takes into account pirating (the customer suffers) this author has it right, Microsoft’s pricing is based on what we’re willing to pay, and that’s it. Keep reading →

Say goodbye to Windows XP… Keep reading →