Purchasing Genuine Microsoft Software
Answering the following 5 questions can help protect you from counterfeit software

1. Are you buying from a reputable reseller?
Protect yourself from purchasing counterfeit software by buying from resellers who sell only genuine Microsoft software. Locate a reputable reseller using local resources such as a Chamber of Commerce, the Better Business Bureau, and consumer publications.

In addition to local resellers, you also have digital download purchase options for Microsoft software. Learn more about these options on the digital purchases page.

2. Is a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) included?

A Certificate of Authenticity (COA) is a label that helps you identify genuine Microsoft software. Retail Microsoft software ships with a COA affixed to the outside of the packaging. If a COA is not present on the packaging, it is not genuine software and is not properly licensed. A COA should never be purchased without the software it authenticates.

View all COAs.

3. Is a hologram CD, DVD, or recovery media included?

Many Microsoft products ship on hologram CDs or DVDs in order to protect against counterfeiting.

A hologram disc features a holographic image on the surface of the disc. This holographic image is part of the disc itself; it is not a sticker.

View a complete list of products that include piracy prevention features.

Note: Genuine Windows software purchased with a new computer may come with recovery media. Recovery media is an installation disc used to restore your Microsoft software in case it fails. Your computer manufacturer should provide a means of recovering your genuine Microsoft software. This may include a hologram CD, DVD, or another form of media.

View all COAs.

4. Are the product packaging and documentation high quality?

One of the clearest indications that you are purchasing genuine Microsoft software is professionally produced packaging and documentation.

More information about counterfeit software.

Note: Microsoft will never print a product key directly on the software packaging and it should not be visible prior to purchase. If you've received a package with a product key displayed, you are not getting genuine Microsoft software.

5. Is an End-user License Agreement (EULA) included?

If you accept its terms, the EULA gives you permission to use the software, grants you some additional rights, and imposes certain restrictions on your use of the software. The EULA includes the "Grant of License" section, which describes how you may use the software.

Also included in the EULA are restrictions against reverse engineering, leasing, or renting the software and other restrictions that apply to the particular software. In addition, the EULA describes the terms under which you may make a backup or archival copy of the software, and it details the limited warranty provided for the product.

View EULAs by Microsoft product name.