Genuine Windows is published by Microsoft, properly licensed, and fully supported by Microsoft or a trusted partner. Genuine Windows provides assurance that the software is reliable and helps protect against the security threats and increased cost of ownership that can be introduced by counterfeit software. Windows Activation Technologies help customers ensure that they are using genuine Windows while helping to avoid the risks associated with the use of unlicensed software.
For enterprises relying on their information technology investments to achieve their business results, it’s critical to make sure that their business computing environment has only genuine software. In organizations, counterfeit software can increase IT costs substantially.
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Companies using unlicensed software were 73% more likely to have loss/damage of sensitive/valuable data and 43% more likely to have critical system failures lasting 24 hours or more than those using fully licensed software.
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Companies using unlicensed software were 28% more likely to lose a customer’s personal information and 24% more likely to have a significant system failure with at least one group down for 4-23 hours than those using fully licensed software.
With Windows® 7, Microsoft® has enhanced its Software Protection Platform by expanding on its Windows Activation Technologies. These enhanced technologies bring anti-piracy innovations, counterfeit detection practices, and tamper resistance into a complete platform that provides improved software protection. The need for these technologies continues to grow as the risks of counterfeit software become increasingly damaging to individuals, organizations, and the software industry at large.
On This Page Volume Activation
Activation is a simple and required aspect of deployment which establishes the relationship between the product key and a copy of the software on a device to which the licensing rights are applied. Volume Activation is an infrastructural solution for managing activation in the enterprise for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. Volume activation allows IT professionals to integrate and manage activation to be part of the deployment and regular system management while making the end-user experience completely transparent.
”We were very pleased that Microsoft provided activation solutions that met our needs, even in cases where schools had individual machines that were nonstandard or completely disconnected from any network.”
Dr. Robert Kristoefl
Head of Information Technology
The Austrian Ministry of Education
Full Case Study (English only)
Customers can use any combination of methods to activate machines in their environment, depending on the needs of their organization and network infrastructure, including:
- A local activation service, called Key Management Service (KMS), in their environment.
- A Multiple Activation Key (MAK), used to complete activation directly with Microsoft.
The activation methods chosen depend on the needs of the organization and the network infrastructure. For more information about planning a Volume Activation deployment, see the
Volume Activation Planning Guide.
- Customers must have a full version of the desktop OS license before applying the upgrade license.
- Customers can receive MAK keys through MSPP/MAPS, MSDN/TechNet subscriptions, and active volume licensing agreements.
- Customers can also get their keys (KMS and MAK) at the Volume Licensing Service Center.
Fundamentals of Volume Activation
Watch this 5-minute video for insight into the Volume Activation process while deploying Windows 7. (English only)
Watch this video to learn more about volume activation for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. (Can't view the video? Right-click the video box, select Silverlight, then the Updates tab, and update or install Silverlight to view.)
Get Genuine Windows Agreement (GGWA)
Even with advanced planning, orchestrated deployment, mature management processes, and best intentions, enterprise customers may still find themselves using non-genuine and unlicensed software within their computing environments. Microsoft offers GGWA licensing solutions to address those scenarios and help enterprise customers get genuine.
- Support is available for purchase from either Microsoft or a Microsoft Large Account Reseller (LAR).
- Software Assurance can be purchased within 90 days.
- A minimum of five licenses must be purchased.
More Information
