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Did you come across an unfamiliar term while validating your software or while searching for other information? Use the Glossary to find definitions of common terms used on the Genuine Microsoft Software Web site.
Microsoft® values your privacy and does not use information collected during activation and validation to identify you or contact you. Read the Genuine Microsoft Software Privacy Statement.
Software piracy is the unauthorized copying or distribution of copyrighted software, which can be done by copying, downloading, sharing, selling, or installing non-genuine copies onto personal or work computers.
Piracy prevention features are parts of Microsoft® products that are designed to be difficult for counterfeiters to reproduce. Certificates of Authenticity, proof of license labels, and edge-to-edge CD or DVD holograms are examples of some of the piracy prevention features that Microsoft products may contain.
Plugins for Mozilla® Firefox® help your browser perform specific functions like viewing special graphic formats or playing multimedia files. They can enhance your browsing experience by allowing animation or they can help with tasks such as validating your genuine Microsoft® software.
A product key is a unique combination of numbers and letters that is used during Microsoft® software installation to "unlock" or open the product. Microsoft product keys contain 25 characters that are divided into groups of 5. The product key is typically located on an orange or yellow sticker on the back of the CD case or the DVD case. If the Windows® operating system that you are using was preinstalled by your computer manufacturer, you may find the Windows product key sticker on the computer. Make sure to store the product key together with the product CD or DVD in a safe location in case you have to reinstall the product in the future. The product cannot be reinstalled without both the product key and the CD or DVD. Product keys are specific to their software products. For example, you cannot use a Windows product key to unlock a Microsoft Office® product. Learn more about how to identify and locate your product key. Some product keys can only be used to activate and use software products licensed under a specific Volume Licensing program. More information about product keys specific to volume licensing programs can be found here.
The Microsoft® proof of license label is the orange label, accompanying the installation disc, which contains a 25-character product key. The words "Proof of License" appear on the label. The proof of license label cannot be purchased separately.
