Identifying Genuine Microsoft Windows

Tips to identify a Genuine Microsoft Windows operating System License:

Genuine Microsoft Windows is signified by the certificate of authenticity (COA) ( affixed on the PC) & CD with edge-to-edge hologram.

In case of an Original equipment manufacturer ( OEM ) the CD will be a recovery CD from that OEM which has MS Win XP along with other software
– so it will not be a Microsoft edge to edge hologram CD. Also the COA will clearly state OEM by name.

Now the recovery CD from OEM will be bios locked to OEM PCs and will not recover on any other PC. So for an end user this CD is clearly a waste –
because he can never use it. This software is not meant to be activated on the net.

Also, the COA is for OEM PC and does not signify a genuine copy of Windows when affixed on a non OEM PC.

Windows at low prices and older versions of Windows will be – in most cases – counterfeits.

Take note MS windows 98 is no more sold nor supported by Microsoft.

It is advisable to pick their copies from genuine sources in the market.

For more details visit : http://www.howtotell.com

This information is based on conversation from Miscrosoft India Officials as on 10th Oct 2006.

URL – www.apiap.org/resources/software/compliance/identifying-genuine-microsoft-windows