How do I keep microsoft from snooping?

Hello all,
My notebook is an Asus T101MT I purchased this back in the Spring of 2011 with Windows 7 pro installed. Starting sometime last week I am getting a pop up window (from i assume microsoft) stating I am running a unregistered version of Windows. This is a new one on me, and I wonder if Microsoft Windows Essentials may be responsible for this. Which leads me to my second question. Should I dump Microsoft Windows Essentials for another anti virus?
I've used Avasti and AVG in the past, but haven't had any issues over virus protection until this annoying pop up reminder.
Any thoughts? Thanks in Advance.

 

Yes!, of course! As I stated in my initial post.
Maybe I didn't make that 100% clear.
It was the factory install.

 

ironman6266...

Obviously this was a mistake. It happens sometimes with Windows. Actually it's not all that uncommon.

Here is information from MS:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/gp/genuine-advantage

Don't be afraid to call MS about this. I have had to do it, and I am sure others here have verified keys over the phone. I found MS is very sensitive to hear your side of the story when it comes to this issue...more than I thought they might be...

 

I'm still not clear on this.

ASUS lists this as coming with Windows 7 Premium or Starter, not Pro.

What are your startup items? You can see them in msconfig?

What are your third party services? Go to msconfig and hide all MS services.

 

Hello again everyone!
I didn't want to let this hang and I want to post another follow up.
This turned weird once again. I did not contact microsoft about this issue. I did however go to control panel and opened SYSTEM and displayed the description,(which displayed the registry number) and have never since had the pop up again. I really don't get it. Thanks to all that responded!....

 

ironman6626...

You must be livin right . Seriously, the validation pop up has happened to me, and it is common that Windows checks the validation of the OS without warning. It should only do that once on an installation of Windows, but if you ever have to reinstall it could happen again.

When you look at Control Panel->System, does it say at the bottom (just above the registration number) that Windows is activated? If so, you have no problems...

 

Yes, it certainly does. I just found it strange. I have never done a reinstall. THX

 

ironman626...

You're welcome. I've had it happen a couple of times with Windows 7 and a couple of times before that. It always scares me out of my wits. Glad it's all good for you...