What is the Windows Genuine Advantage Program?
Microsoft Genuine Advantage programs, including Windows Genuine Advantage, help you determine whether or not your copy of Windows is genuine. Genuine Windows software is published by Microsoft, properly licensed, and supported by Microsoft or an authorized partner, giving you full capabilities, access to all the latest updates, and confidence that you are getting the experience you expect. Microsoft continues to invest in education, engineering, and enforcement in order to more effectively combat software piracy. It’s part of Microsoft’s commitment to help protect its intellectual property and to help you avoid problems before they happen.
Why you should care that your computer is running genuine Windows
In today’s world, you rely on your computer to work for you and to run your business. You store thousands of photos, music collections, and important documents; you make purchases, enter personal information, and search the Web. Imagine what it would be like to lose all your favorite family photos, or have your financial data stolen as a result of malicious or unwanted software running on your computer. Market research firm IDC reported in a recent study (English only) that obtaining and using pirated software can pose a serious security threat to organizations and individuals. Often, counterfeit software is bundled with malicious and unwanted software that can lead to a corrupted system, a loss of data, and even identity theft. The risk of running counterfeit software is real. Windows is the operating system and the brain behind everything you do on your computer; you can help protect your data by installing only genuine Windows.
How software piracy impacts local businesses and global economies
Software piracy is an industry-wide problem that has significant impact on the global economy, and affects legitimate businesses that have to compete with those selling counterfeit software. The Business Software Alliance and market research firm IDC reported in The Global Software Piracy Study (English only) that software piracy contributed to nearly $40 billion in global losses. Consumers spend millions of dollars each year on counterfeit copies, financing scammers who threaten the integrity of the software industry and the security of home and business computers. Software piracy puts everyone at risk. Microsoft and its customers can work together to stop it.
What Microsoft is doing to help protect you and the Windows ecosystem
As an industry leader, Microsoft has an obligation to help level the playing field for its partners and to help the broader computing ecosystem by doing all it can to address software piracy. Microsoft continually invests in technologies and programs that make piracy harder, make it easier for you to recognize counterfeited software, and help you if you have been a victim of it. Microsoft’s anti-piracy efforts are organized under an umbrella initiative called the Microsoft Genuine Software Initiative, Learn more about Microsoft’s Genuine Software Initiative. The Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) program provides technologies that help you determine whether your copy of Windows is genuine, including product activation and validation. Both help you ensure that your copy of Windows is genuine and properly licensed. You can find out if you’re running genuine by clicking Validate Windows on www.microsoft.com/genuine. Microsoft values your privacy and does not use any information collected to contact you or identify you. Read the Windows Genuine Advantage Privacy Statement.
What Microsoft is doing to help you get genuine
If your copy of Windows is not genuine, Microsoft can help you to quickly fix the problem and get genuine. Customers can contact Microsoft Support or visit the Microsoft Genuine Advantage support page to resolve the problem. Microsoft also offers several options to help victims of counterfeit software obtain a legal copy of Windows, including a complimentary offer for victims who were deceived into buying high-quality counterfeit copies. Read the Frequently Asked Questions to learn more about genuine Windows offers.
Additional information
Learn how to protect yourself from piracy
Read the Frequently Asked Questions for Microsoft Genuine Software
