Protect Yourself with Genuine Microsoft Office Software
What is Office Genuine Advantage notifications?

Office Genuine Advantage (OGA) notifications is part of the Microsoft Genuine Software Initiative. Notifications help customers quickly and easily verify that the copy of Microsoft® Office software installed on their computer is genuine and properly licensed, thus protecting them from the risks of pirated or counterfeit software.

  • We strongly encourage you to download the OGA notifications which are delivered as a high priority voluntary update through Microsoft Update
  • Validate now to make sure you are getting all the benefits of genuine Office.
  • Starting January 27th 2009, if you are using a non-genuine or improperly licensed copy of Office, notifications will alert you with a recurring pop-up dialog box (see details on the right). You will then be given specific options for resolving the error:
    • Where possible, the OGA Web site will help you activate you product or adjust settings to pass validation;
    • Customers who continue to fail validation will be offered an OGA legalization kit, which includes genuine Microsoft Office software and a valid product key;
    • Customers who have questions or require assistance will be directed to their reseller, or to Microsoft Support.
  • While OGA will not affect businesses who are under the Volume License Agreement, some home users working at those organizations might be affected, so it is advisable for those organizations to recommend to their employees to take advantage of the Home Usage Rights program.

As of Jan 27th 2009, customers running non-genuine Office software, the following process occurs once OGA notifications are installed:

Day 1 through Day 14:
A dialog box pops up the first time an Office application is launched each day. The dialog box states, “This copy of Microsoft Office is Not Genuine.” This message continues to pop up periodically while the application remains open. If the “Learn More” button is clicked, the user is taken to the OGA Web site. If the “Remind me Later” button is clicked, the dialog box closes.

Day 15 through Day 30:
The dialog box displays a stronger message and continues to pop up the first time an Office application is launched each day, as well as periodically while the application remains open. If the “Learn More” button is clicked, the user is taken to the OGA Web site. If the “Remind me Later” button is clicked, the dialog box closes.

After 30 Days:
Office applications will be marked with the message, "This copy of Microsoft Office is Not Genuine." This mark will not affect the user’s ability to work, print or send documents, but will serve as a constant reminder that action needs to be taken to resolve the validation failure.

If you have any questions, you can call us on our toll-free number:
800-82-00-135
Or, you can email us at ogasaudi@microsoft.com
What happens if you receive Office notifications?

It means that you:

  • have not activated Office, the OGA failure page will provide instructions on how to activate Office successfully.
  • are a victim of counterfeit or non-genuine Office software, you will be instructed to complete a counterfeit report. If the media is deemed to be counterfeit, you will receive complimentary Office Professional media.
  • require less than 5 licenses of Office, you can license a new copy at a retail store, complete an online order to receive a physical copy, or download a digital copy.
  • require more than 5 licenses, you can license genuine Office at a retail store or be directed to a specific local partner.
Important Links:

For more information on Office Genuine Advantage and the benefits of genuine Office software, please visit www.microsoft.com/genuine.

© 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

This document is for informational purposes only. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN THIS SUMMARY. Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.