More consumers should be educated about this WGA program
"I was angry at the seller who sold me a counterfeit copy of Windows XP. I learned that I had non-genuine Windows installed on my PC through the online validation tool. I felt great that Microsoft had a program where I could get a replacement copy for turning in my counterfeit version. At least my money, which was intended for an original Windows, wasn't totally wasted. More consumers should be educated about this WGA program."
Ivan Tan, Malaysia
I thought I was getting a good deal
"When my copy of Windows failed the validation I was in a state of anger and felt ripped off. The seller on the online auction site represented the copy as genuine; I thought I was getting a good deal. Microsoft is very serious about their program to stop counterfeiting. The effort to help victims like myself is certainly appreciated. It gives me a different outlook on Microsoft."
Joseph Lawrence, Tennessee, USA
Check out the counterfeit gallery
"The bogus, counterfeit software can be extremely convincing in appearance. Mine was in a sealed package with documentation, had all the usual holograms on the CD. In fact the CD seemed to pass the visual tests, except one. Where a small frame was supposed to change back and forth between “Microsoft” and “Genuine” it merely changed colors. I recommend consumers check out the counterfeit gallery on Microsoft’s website."
J.C.R., North Carolina, USA
Helpdesk helped me troubleshoot
"I would like to thank Microsoft for giving me a change to obtain the genuine Windows XP software. I also appreciated the Microsoft helpdesk- they helped me troubleshoot my problem and I discovered that my copy of Windows XP was counterfeit. I had purchased it on an online auction site."
Christopher, Australia
I purchased software from an online auction site
"I became a counterfeit victim when I purchased software from an online auction site. The seller had indicated that the product was Genuine Microsoft Windows software. The packaging and documentation looked real; it looked like the genuine article. As a small business owner, I don't misrepresent either my products or services to anyone. In turn, I expect that same from people I do business with. Microsoft was willing to rectify a situation, which was not of their doing, with only minimal additional cost to me."
J.B.Y., Tulalip, Washington, USA
I thought I was getting a real copy of Microsoft Windows
"I was angry when I discovered I had been sold a counterfeit package, because I thought I was getting a real copy of Microsoft Windows. I had paid my money in good faith and expected the real product. It never actually occurred to me that I might be buying a pirated copy. I am glad that I became aware of the Windows Genuine Advantage program and that I was able to get a genuine copy of Windows XP for my computer. WGA is a good thing with regards to Microsoft's efforts to stop software piracy. I also think that the ability of the WGA program to detect the fake copies is helpful to customers who might otherwise not know that their computer was running a bootlegged operating system."
Kathryn Belfon, California, USA
I’m not buying that way again
"My experiences with buying software through online auction sites have all been bad. Besides unknowingly purchasing a counterfeit copy of Windows XP Professional, I have also ended up with other brands of counterfeit software. A consumer can use Microsoft’s WGA program to see if they got the real Windows XP, or a counterfeit. As it turns out, of the 5 titles of software I have purchased from an online auction site, all 5 have been counterfeit. I’m not buying that way again."
John Rossi, Georgia, USA
I wanted a genuine licensed copy of Windows
"I went back to my reseller when I discovered that I had a counterfeit copy of Windows. His answer was to basically disable the Windows Genuine Advantage check, and implied that WGA wasn't really working right. But, I wanted a genuine licensed copy of Windows. I then sent him a copy of the report that I got from the validation process. He didn't offer to refund my money. So, I sent Microsoft information about the counterfeit product and the guy who sold it to me."
G.M., Colorado, USA
I am grateful for Microsoft’s efforts
"My reaction was embarrassment, disbelief and anger when I learned I had been sold counterfeit software. I made sure the CD had the hologram, and it came with a Product Key and a Certificate of Authenticity (COA), so I thought it was genuine. I blame the person I bought the software from for falsely advertising that they were providing a genuine Windows product. I am grateful for Microsoft’s efforts. I thought I was going to have a buy another copy of Windows, and was relieved when Microsoft informed me they would replace my copy, for free, with my cooperation to provide the original packaging and information about the source of the counterfeit. Thank you very much."
C.S., California, USA
Microsoft replaced our software for free
"I suspected there was a problem when I looked through the booklet that came with the software and found that it was full of spelling errors. I compared it with the book that came with mine and found that there were no errors. I verified that it was a pirated copy by running the Genuine Advantage program. I had some anger when the counterfeit was first discovered I try to obtain legal copies of my software and was not pleased to find that I had been sold a pirated copy through an online auction site. It looked legitimate with a holographic image on the disk and a holographic seal of authenticity. I was also frustrated because the program was for a computer my son had built at his school, and he was experiencing some software conflicts with other programs he had loaded. These were most likely the result of the counterfeit software, because there were no problems once we loaded the genuine software on the system. In our situation it worked out great because we had a high quality forgery; therefore, Microsoft replaced our software for free. I know they didn’t have to do that, so I was greatly appreciative of it."
John A., Illinois, USA
I was surprised
"I discovered I had a non-genuine copy of Windows when I called the support center with some issues I was having. I had purchased my PC with Windows XP pre-loaded. I was surprised when I learned that I had been sold counterfeit, because I trusted the manufacturer that sold me my PC. "
N.O., Florida, USA
It shows Microsoft’s commitment
"I learned that I had a copy of counterfeit Windows when I used the Windows Genuine Advantage site. It made me angry that someone had ripped me off. As a retiree on disability I don’t have a lot of extra money to spend. I was glad that there was a way that I could submit a report to Microsoft and know they would follow-up. I appreciated the WGA program because it helps people to understand the counterfeit software problem and protect piracy victims from really screwing up their equipment. It also shows Microsoft’s commitment to its customer base."
Dean Long, Illinois, USA
It looked like the real thing
"I suspected something strange when I noticed a few inconsistencies on the documentation that came with the software, compared to a genuine copy that I had. There were minor spelling errors, and just strange minor differences. When I discovered that the software was counterfeit I was in a state of disbelief, because I thought that the software was discounted perhaps because it was being sold at a high volume through the online auction site. The last thing I expected was that it was counterfeit, because it looked like the real thing! I then did some research online. I found that this guy was a huge seller of counterfeit Microsoft products! If I knew it was fake, I would have just waited to buy the real thing."
Joshua Goodman, California, USA
I think WGA is a great idea
"I think it is totally awesome that Microsoft replaced my product! I think the WGA is a great idea, and I hope Microsoft can catch some of the criminals that are taking advantage of people."
Jay O., from Arkansas, USA
