- 1). Go to Microsoft's "How to Tell" web page (see Resources).
- 2). Select your Windows version from the drop-down list under "Browse Popular Products", for instance Windows XP Home Edition or Windows 7 Ultimate.
- 3). Select the method through which you acquired the operating system, for instance, "Purchased pre-installed" or "Purchased individually as an individually boxed product".
- 4). Click "View Features." You will be shown how to check for Windows Validation. This depends on how you claimed to have acquired the product.
If you said you purchased the product at retail, Microsoft's website will tell you to see the "Certificate of Authenticity COA)" affixed to the top of the retail packaging, and check the proof of orange license label (with 25-character product key) and the words "Proof of License" on the installation media. If you chose another option like "Purchased pre-installed on or with computer", Microsoft's website will tell you to check the "Certificate of Authenticity" (25-character product key) affixed to the body of your computer. If your computer has this product key, your copy of Windows is genuine.
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