Ron Schenone

Microsoft How To Tell Website – Genuine Or Counterfeit

Posted by on Oct 31, 2007 | 16 Comments

Microsoft has setup a website in which they have on display many of the counterfeit copies of their products for your review. Included in the counterfeits are copies of Vista [all flavors] along with Office 2007. Examples of recently seized counterfeit products are also on display for comparison purposes.

On their site Microsoft also has an explanation of COA – Certificate Of Authenticity that is described as:

Certificate of Authenticity (COA) is a label that helps you identify genuine Microsoft software. A COA is not a software license – it is a visual identifier that assists in determining whether or not the Microsoft software you are running is genuine. However, without it, you will not have a legal license to run Microsoft software. A COA should never be purchased by itself without the software it authenticates.

To help you verify the authenticity of the Microsoft software you acquired, be sure that your software came with one of the following COAs (or a previous version) and that the COA includes the advanced piracy prevention features described.

For Windows software that comes pre-installed by a large manufacturer (also known as an Original Equipment Manufacturer or OEM) on a computer, the COA should be affixed to the body of the computer. The COA includes the 25-character product key, which would be required if a reinstallation is needed. More information. View previous versions and compare now.

Though the web site is primarily for detection of counterfeit software products, it can also be used by those who are bying a used computer system. As described above, most OEM’s will have the COA affixed to the body of the computer. If you are looking at a used system, confirm that the COA is intact and that the Product Key is clearly visible and also intact. This may just help in preventing you from buying a system with a illegal copy of Windows installed.

Comments welcome.

Microsoft web site is here.
[tags]microsoft, counterfeit, website, genuine, [/tags]

  • http://www.vietcircles.com/6727 Tien Khoa Nguyen

    It appears that one of my purchased computer system came with a backup that has a different key than the COA. Typing in the product key from the label could not activate Windows, but installing the backup activates it with no problem! So, does this mean it is still legal?

  • http://www.vietcircles.com/6727 Tien Khoa Nguyen

    Plus I threw out the non-working COA. Is it still a valid system?

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    I’d contact Microsoft for an opinion.

  • http://www.vietcircles.com/6727 Tien Khoa Nguyen

    Sometimes the method used in preparing the computer for assembly has two product keys. One is the installation of Windows operating system on the computer. The other is a dilfferent key for a backup disc. Seeing that it came with two keys directly from the retailer, it is legal.

  • http://www.freewebs.com/tienkhoanguyen Tien Khoa Nguyen

    Sometimes, it can be hard to tell if it is legal. I know because I made a backup of my legal disc. Now, I only have the backup copies laying around. It is system specific, which means that it will only work on the machine that it was made for. I tried to use my backup copy on a different system and it does a test to verify that you do not install the programs on another system. In my case, a Fujitsu restore disc was used to try to restore a SONY model. Oh well, it didn’t work. Anyways, back to what I was saying. Since the restore disc is not in its original factory fancy label, it could be considered a counterfeit. However, it is a legal backup copy for my own personal use. Therefore, the disc labelling could be misleading! Thank God, Jesus Christ, that I am the original purchaser and only user of my backups. Since, I originally made the backup copies, I know that it is an authentic version and not a counterfeit.

    I guess this is my anniversary post! It is a little over a year since my last post. Anyways, may God keep us all happy with legal, authentic, and everything good!!! :)

  • http://www.freewebs.com/tienkhoanguyen Tien Khoa Nguyen

    Be careful when buying anything. It is best to buy at a store like Fry’s Electronics where you can get your money back if something goes wrong! You can examine the product before hand. If you purchase over the internet, it may be an online scheme who may or may not ship you the item(s). You never know what you are going to get with an online transaction!

  • http://www.freewebs.com/tienkhoanguyen Tien Khoa Nguyen

    It sure is wonderful to have the original sticker on the case! Someone installed XP on it and the system crashed because it could not handle it! Upon inspection of the case, the sticker on it says Windows 98. After installing Windows 98 and entering the CD key from the case, it works. Therefore, this is proof that the serial on the case is usually good!!! Never share your serial with anyone or else you may not be able to use your computer…

  • http://www.freewebs.com/tienkhoanguyen Tien Khoa Nguyen

    Well… I sold a computer to someone. It has a key for Windows XP, which I was licensed to use. Now, it has been transferred to him. Even though I do not have the original disc, I have the original license. So, I sold the key that I had to him and erased all copies from my own possession. So, the license is still legal as long as the next owner keeps it to himself or herself. Basically, you are only authorized to use a license on only one computer. If you want to use the license on a second computer, the first computer has to be removed of that license. So, one license equals one computer use only! That sounds a little complicated, but this is my understanding from reading through all the technical legal terms.

    Just remember that for each key that you purchase from Microsoft, you can only use that key on one machine only!

  • http://www.freewebs.com/tienkhoanguyen Tien Khoa Nguyen

    First, I would like to say that God, Jesus Christ, the Lord is number one! He keeps those who believe in him safe from all harm.

    Second, I would like to confess that I used to be a pirate. I used to use Microsoft Windows XP and Microsoft Windows 7 [I used the pirated version of the softwares].

    Third, I hope that everyone learns from me that using legal softwares are good for you!!!!!!!!
    ________

    When I was pirating and doing all sorts of illegal things, I always had a guilty conscience. I always had to stoop down low and feel like any day now someone will come to confiscate what I had or worst. Once, a police officer even called me to warn me of what I was doing could fine me even $50,000 (fifty thousand dollars).

    Now, I have changed my ways. I have thrown all, if not almost all, illegals away from me. Sure, the discs that I threw away costs me maybe $100 total. That is nothing compared to what trouble I could have been in if I got caught.

    I feel good now because what I am doing is right. My mother gives me a new software, here and there. She buys them for me during Christmas or special occasions. Sure, I do not have much but I am grateful for a life where I do not have to look back all the time.

  • http://www.freewebs.com/tienkhoanguyen Tien Khoa Nguyen

    well… i just threw out a bunch of unmarked cds given to me by my cousin. i don’t want to take a chance that it may be illegal… anyways… my mother just bought me Microsoft Office 2010 and it is beautiful! I have tried the illegal version of Microsoft Office 2007 and it is nothing like the new version. First, i have a physical object in my hands beautifully made by Microsoft. The disc that is comes with are beautifully made. The product key is nicely printed and allows 3 users. i suggest again if i haven’t done so already that people purchase from a store like Best Buy. Try the software out first on your machine directly from microsoft.com website if you don’t want to spend the money. i consider using the illegal version of microsoft 2007 my trial usage. then when i had the money from my mother, i purchased the 2010 version because i liked it that much. i guess it works out for the best. everyone gets what they want. the producer of the product gets the money they need to live and i get a product that gives me great joy :)

  • http://www.freewebs.com/tienkhoanguyen Tien Khoa Nguyen

    Thank you to the community for being so lenient on me. I am bipolar and humble to be so blessed. I have been given much and I want to let the people know that even a pirate can change and do good. “People pirate, at least I did, because of lack of money or inconvenience.” It also allows a way for people to try a software out before deciding to buy it officially. The down side to that is that it could infect your computer with viruses, malwares, and so on as well as get you into trouble with the law. I am no judge since I have been on both sides, I just wanted to give an objective view and analysis of one or the other. Without pirating, I would not have know much or experience much about Microsoft Office and other softwares. I would not have gained the informed information needed to make a good decision. Now that I have used the software for it seems less than the trial period anyways, I actually love it. Thank you to my mother for working so hard to have enough money to pay for the legal version.

  • http://www.freewebs.com/tienkhoanguyen Tien Khoa Nguyen

    The one thing about being legal is that you have to be humble. I just received a Samsung Q1 as a gift from my cousin and it has Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium on it. It even has the Certificate Of Authenticity on the back stating Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium! At least it is good forever. I am not complaining. I can do what I need… play Netflix all day long and surf. It is a little slow, and legal. A clean conscience.

    May our lives be blessed with what is real and good instead of fake and could have viruses, etcetera! Happy early Christmas to everyone!!!!!!!!!! Amen.

  • http://www.freewebs.com/tienkhoanguyen Tien Khoa Nguyen

    I just received an Apple iPad from my uncle. It is a great toy! The fun in being self-disciplined and staying clear of pirated, illegal, and wrong doing is that when you receive something so valuable, you appreciate it. Through my experience with piracy, I know that those illegal softwares can harm your system. I even wanted to jailbreak (also known as piracy – unofficially) my new iPad, but then I thought about the consequences of making my precious toy possibly unusable. At the very least, it becomes an inferior product! This is not my opinion, this is a fact. Why would you buy a Mercedes-Benz only to use “pirated” engine parts? You just ruined what is perfect!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This goes for all car makes and models as well. If you buy a Honda, take it to the official repair shop and not one that is shady and cheap. Trust me, just do it.

  • http://www.freewebs.com/tienkhoanguyen Tien Khoa Nguyen

    Although I have talked about the Apple iPad, the brand does not matter. Whether it be Microsoft, Apple, IBM, or whatever, do the right thing!

    In other news, Happy New Year 2011 to all and may we continue to have only what is good!

  • http://www.freewebs.com/tienkhoanguyen Tien Khoa Nguyen

    The iPad also has two versions of there operating system just like Microsoft. There is a jailbroken iPad, and there is an untouched “good” iPad! Through a lot of research, I have come to the knowledge that you may be using softwares that will send private information to hackers. So, beware and make sure you are getting a perfect untouched operating system on the iPad just as you would on Microsoft products!

  • Tien Khoa Nguyen

    Thanks for the info. Ron. This one advice of making sure the software is authentic has saved me so many times that I have stopped counting!