How can you be sure that you are using Original Microsoft software? Based on how you intend to purchase or install your Microsoft software, here's a checklist on what you should look for.

• Is a Certificate of Authenticity included? A COA is a label that helps you identify genuine Microsoft software. Original Microsoft Software purchased at retail stores or online ships with a COA affixed to the outside of the packaging. If a COA is not present on the packaging, it is not Original Software and is not properly licensed. A COA cannot be purchased without the software it authenticates.

  

  
  
• Are you buying from a reputable reseller?  You can protect yourself from purchasing pirated software by buying from only those who sell Original Microsoft Software. You can get Original Software preinstalled while buying a Branded PC or from an Assembler.
  


• Is a hologram CD, DVD or recovery media included? Original Microsoft software 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. Original Microsoft Software purchased with a new PC may also come with a recovery media in the form of a hologram CD or DVD to restore your Microsoft software in case it fails.

  

  
  
• Is the product packaging and documentation of high quality? One of the clearest indications that you are purchasing Original Microsoft software is whether the packaging and documentation is professionally produced, includes the COA, and packaged properly. Microsoft will never print a product key directly on the software packaging itself. If you've received a package with a product key displayed, you are not getting Original Microsoft Software.

  

  
  
• Is an End User Agreement (EULA) included? Original Microsoft Software will ask you to accept an EULA, which gives you permission to use the software and some additional rights, apart from describing how you may use the software.

  

  
  

For more details, on how to identify counterfeit Microsoft software, visit howtotell.com.