The benefits of using Windows Genuine Advantage software
Beginning in the second half of 2005, Microsoft will require you to validate your copy of Windows XP before you can obtain programs from the Microsoft Download Center or receive software updates from Windows Update. Updates will only be available to users who have validated that they own genuine, non-pirated Microsoft software. (To help customers who require more time to move to genuine Windows software, Microsoft will continue to offer security updates through Automatic Updates in Windows, with or without Windows Genuine Advantage validation.) By using only genuine Microsoft software, you can be confident that your software is legitimate and fully supported by Microsoft. On This Page
What is genuine software?Genuine Microsoft software is software that is licensed, certified as authentic, and published and supported by Microsoft. The benefits of using genuine Windows software include:
To learn more about the benefits of genuine software, read 8 benefits of using only genuine software. What do I need to do?Microsoft will not begin to require that you have Windows Genuine Advantage Software installed until the second half of 2005. But to help protect yourself from the dangers of pirated software now, we recommend that you validate your copy of Windows today. Microsoft offers an online tool that enables you to validate that your copy of Windows is genuine. The validation process is simple and short, and after it is completed, it enables you to more quickly access genuine Windows downloads in the future. After successful validation, a Microsoft Windows Download Key will be stored on your system for future use. You can validate your copy of Windows by visiting the How to Tell page.
Will I be asked to provide personal information?During the validation and activation processes, Microsoft does not collect any information, such as your name or e-mail address, that can be used to identify you or contact you. These processes only enable Microsoft to create a match between your computer's hardware profile and your 25-character Product Key (located on the COA) to store and check against future activation and validation attempts. We do this to ensure that your Product Key cannot be used by another person in a malicious manner, such as activating a pirated or non-genuine copy of Windows.
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