Vista Certificate of Authenticity (COA)
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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.
COA Variations:
To help you verify the authenticity of the Microsoft software you acquired, be sure that your software came with one of the following COAs (or a previous version) and that the COA includes the advanced anti-counterfeiting features described.
- Retail Software COAThe COA displayed below has been in production since December 2006.
The COA features the product name printed on the label, as well as a background image created by repeating micro-printed words. These words are blue letters on a white background in a distorted curve. This COA has a rounded lower left corner.
The left side of the COA contains a transparent Port-Holeâ„¢ with individual paper fibers visible around the inside edge. Interwoven vertically through this porthole is a metallic thread with well defined letters that read “OUR PASSION” in red and “MICROSOFT”. One way to check whether your COA is genuine is to gently rip the edge of the COA to determine that the thread is actually interwoven into the fibers of the label rather than printed on top.
Large Manufacturer Pre-installed Windows COA - OEM
The Certificate of Authenticity (COA) is affixed to the body of your computer. COAs cannot be purchased separately. Each pre-installed Windows COA features the Microsoft product name printed near the top of the label and a 25-character product key.
The latest pre-installed Windows COAs contain a Port-Holeâ„¢ near the middle of the COA, shaped like a Windows flag with two interwoven threads that run vertically through its center. The words “Your Potential” are hidden beneath a heat-activated layer on the right thread. The left thread has red microprint of the words “Our Passion.”
The top COA displayed on the left has been in production since February 2007 and its Port-Hole is completely filled in with paper fibers.
The bottom COA has been in production since September 2006 and its Port-Hole is transparent with individual paper fibers visible around the inside edges. (There may be variation to the shape due to manufacturing techniques.)
These COAs are typically blue in color. However, in Asia they are available in rose, and for Windows Starter Edition installations they should be green.
Small Manufacturer Pre-installed Windows COA - OEM
The Certificate of Authenticity (COA) is affixed to the body of your computer. COAs cannot be purchased separately. Each pre-installed Windows COA features the Microsoft product name printed near the top of the label and a 25-character product key.
The latest small manufacturer pre-installed Windows COAs contain two transparent Port-Holesâ„¢ near the middle of the COA. The Port-Hole on the left is an oval and the Port-Hole on the right is shaped like a Windows flag, each with individual paper fibers visible around the inside edges. (There may be variation to the shape due to manufacturing techniques.)
This COA is typically yellow in color. However, in Asia they are available in rose, and for Windows Starter Edition installations they should be green.
What you should look for with genuine Microsoft software:
1. Certificate of Authenticity (COA) label
2. End-user license agreement (EULA)*
3. Hologram media
4. Documentation
*The EULA can typically be accessed within the software it covers.
Related Articles
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Vista License and Product Key Terminology Part 1 - Types of Vista Product Keys and Product Key Group IDs
Vista License and Product Key Terminology Part 2 - All about Vista OEM Product Keys
Vista License and Product Key Terminology Part 3 - Vista Certificate of Authenticity (COA)
Vista License and Product Key Terminology Part 4 - Microsoft Product Activation (MPA), OEM and RETAIL Activation and Volume Activation
Vista Pre-Release Time Bomb Set To Explode - The end of Frankenbuild
source: Microsoft and my blog and VistaKeygen