Activation, also known as Microsoft Product Activation or Windows Product Activation, is an anti-piracy technology designed to verify that Microsoft software products are legitimately licensed. Activation works by verifying that the product key—the 25-character code located on your Certificate of Authenticity (usually affixed to your computer) or proof of license label (usually affixed to the installation disc case)—is authentic and is not in use on more personal computers than are permitted by the software license.

A background hologram is the copper holographic material that is embedded within the disc. It is not a sticker. The background hologram shows vibrant color as the disc is tilted.

A Certificate of Authenticity (COA) is a label that helps you identify genuine Microsoft software. A COA is not a software license – it is a visual identifier that assists in determining whether or not the Microsoft software you are running is genuine. However, without it, you will not have a legal license to run Microsoft software. A COA should never be purchased by itself without the software it authenticates. Learn more about COAs.

A collapsing oval is a colorful rectangular area containing a high resolution image, bordered by an oval, which expands and collapses as the disc is tilted, making the words or images within it more or less visible.

An edge-to-edge hologram disc features a holographic image that covers the face disc, except for a narrow margin at the edge. This holographic image is not a sticker but is part of the disc itself and makes it easier to identify genuine Microsoft software. Genuine Microsoft software comes with an edge-to-edge hologram disc.

An End-user License Agreement (EULA) is a legal contract between Microsoft and those who use Microsoft products. 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.

Etched text will appear to be etched on top of the background holographic image and will shift from a light shade to a dark one as the disc is tilted.

The feathered edge is the transition area at the edge of the disc where the copper colored hologram transitions smoothly to a silver color.

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.

The Inner Mirror Band Hologram is a detailed holographic image, located on the inner mirror band on the back of the disc, that changes color as the disc is tilted.

A medallion or security patch is specific text located at the bottom or perimeter of the disc. In the medallion or security patch on genuine Microsoft discs, the word "Microsoft" changes to "GENUINE" as the disc is tilted. The security patch is found within a smaller, framed area on the face of the disc.

An OEM, short for Original Equipment Manufacturer, is a large computer manufacturer.

The Office Comparison Guide walks you through comparing the piracy prevention features of genuine Microsoft software media to the features of the media that came with your copy of Office. If your media has the correct piracy prevention features, that is a good indication that your copy of Office is genuine. For further help determining whether the copy of Office installed on your computer is genuine, visit http://www.microsoft.com/genuine.

The Office Genuine Advantage program (OGA) is part of Microsoft’s commitment to protecting its customers and partners from counterfeiters through education, engineering, and enforcement of policies and laws. OGA differentiates the value of genuine Office software from counterfeit software, allowing customers to enjoy the reliability, additional value, confidence, and peace of mind that come from using genuine Microsoft Office software.

The perimeter hologram is a high resolution copper hologram that shows vibrant color as the DVD is tilted. It surrounds the silk screen label on a disc. The hologram is part of the DVD and not a separate label.

A perimeter product name is located around the perimeter of the disc. The name of the product that the disc will install appears and is created from multiple small pixels, varying in color.

Piracy prevention features are parts of Microsoft products that are designed to be difficult for counterfeiters to reproduce. Certificates of Authenticity, feathered edges, stereograms, and Inner Mirror Band Holograms are examples of some of the piracy prevention features that Microsoft products may contain.

A Port-Hole™ is a transparent hole on a COA, generally shaped like an oval or a flying window, with individual paper fibers visible around the inside edge. There may be variation to the shape due to manufacturing techniques. The precise look and position of a Port-Hole™ can vary by COA type.

The proof of license label is the orange label, accompanying the installation disc, that contains a 25-character product key. The words "Proof of License" appear on the label. The proof of license label cannot be purchased separately.

A recovery solution is a way to restore your computer's operating system, should it fail. (Failure is extremely rare on modern computers.) Your computer manufacturer should provide a means of recovering your genuine Microsoft Windows operating system. This may include an edge-to-edge hologram disc or another form of media.

A medallion or security patch is specific text located at the bottom or perimeter of the disc. In the medallion or security patch on genuine Microsoft discs, the word "Microsoft" changes to "GENUINE" as the disc is tilted. The security patch is found within a smaller, framed area on the face of the disc.

The security thread is an embedded strip running through many COAs that is intended to make counterfeiting harder. A security thread is a good indication that a COA is genuine.

A stereogram is a high resolution hologram that changes color and shape as the disc is tilted. This is found on a smaller framed area on the face of the disc.

A System Builder is a small computer manufacturer.

The security thread is a heat sensitive strip on some COAs. If you rub it lightly, its appearance will change.

Validation is an online process that allows you to verify that your copy of Windows or Office is genuine. Microsoft will ask you to validate Windows when requesting a genuine Windows download from the Microsoft Download Center or Windows Update and to validate Office when requesting a genuine Office download. Learn more about validation.

A Volume License is obtained through Microsoft Volume Licensing, Microsoft® Volume Licensing programs offer all companies a great way to acquire and manage multiple software licenses - for as few as five desktops. A software product license grants customers the legal right to run or access a software program. A license agreement governs their use of the licensed software program. Except for full version Microsoft Windows licenses that can only be acquired through the retail channel or with the purchase of a new computer, the volume license takes the place of software acquired through the retail distribution channel or with a new computer. Microsoft Windows Volume License software is only available as an upgrade, because there is no full version of Windows offered in the Volume Licensing program.

The wavy edge is the area at the edge of the disc where the copper color of the hologram has a clean, wavy effect.

Windows Anytime Upgrade is a new online process for upgrading from one version of Windows Vista to another (for example, from Windows Vista Home Basic to Windows Vista Home Premium).

The Windows Comparison Guide walks you through comparing the piracy prevention features of genuine Microsoft software media to the features of the media that came with your copy of Windows. If your media has the correct piracy prevention features, that is a good indication that your copy of Windows is genuine. For further help determining whether the copy of Windows installed on your computer is genuine, visit http://www.microsoft.com/genuine.

The Windows Genuine Advantage program (WGA) is part of Microsoft’s commitment to protecting its customers and partners from counterfeiters through education, engineering, and enforcement of policies and laws. WGA differentiates the value of genuine Windows software from counterfeit software, allowing customers to enjoy the capabilities they expect, the confidence that their software is authentic, and the ongoing system improvements that help them do more with their PC.