What should I do after accidentally installing a fake Windows activation key?

Running slmgr commands isn't a virus; it's part of the Windows licensing service. However, you've likely linked your PC to an unofficial activation method. If your system keeps activating the fake key on reboot, you may need to consider reinstalling Windows entirely to remove it. Don't forget to back up anything important before doing this!

First off, it's a tough lesson learned, but don't beat yourself up too much. Running random commands without knowing what they do can be risky. The best thing to do now is to wipe your drives and do a fresh Windows installation from a USB. That way, you can also buy a legitimate license and avoid any future issues.

Check if you have a Microsoft account linked to your computer. If you do, your legitimate product key might be stored there. Additionally, many new PCs have OEM licenses stored on a chip that auto-activates when you reinstall the correct version of Windows. If you can't retrieve your key this way, you might have lost it when connecting to that unofficial activation server.