Genuine Advantage Solution Center

Key Resources

What is Genuine Advantage?
Learn how Genuine Advantage works.

Learn more about Genuine Advantage
Frequently asked questions about the Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) program.

How to tell if your software is genuine
Find out if your media is genuine by comparing it to genuine media.

Genuine Microsoft software program privacy statement
Review the privacy statement for the Windows Genuine Advantage and Windows Activation Technologies programs.

Windows Genuine Advantage

Microsoft Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications application
Learn more about the application that notifies you if your copy of Windows is not genuine.

Genuine Windows Benefits
Learn about the benefits of using genuine software and review offers exclusive to genuine Windows users.

Windows Genuine Advantage Kit
Learn how to convert a counterfeit copy of Windows XP software to a genuine copy of Windows XP.

Help Resources

• Find answers to issues relating to the Windows 7 Software Protection Platform - Non-Genuine, validation problems, or software licensing services messages.
• Find answers to issues relating to the Windows Vista Software Protection Platform - Non-Genuine dialog boxes, validation problems, or software licensing services messages.
• Find answers to issues relating to browser settings, security settings, or other issues with our Windows XP validation process.

Product Activation Solution Center
Learn about Product Activation, find help and how tos, replace a product key and more.

Reduced Functionality Mode and Product Activation in Windows Vista
Describes the two kinds of reduced functionality mode, its causes, and which activities are available to you when your computer is in this state.

Windows Genuine Advantage validation is required when you download Windows updates
The Windows Genuine Advantage validation is required when you request a genuine Windows download from the Microsoft Download Center or from Windows Update.

Windows Genuine Advantage product key or volume license key validation issue on Windows XP or Windows Vista
Provide step-by-step troubleshooting for both product keys and volume license key issues.

Error Messages

Resolve a Windows Genuine Advantage product key or volume license key validation issue
Provides methods to resolve the issue when you are running Windows Vista or Windows XP.

Troubleshoot volume activation error codes on Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista-based computers
Discusses how to troubleshoot various error codes when you try to use Multiple Activation Key (MAK) or the Key Management Service (KMS) to perform Volume Activation.

Find help with validate a copy of Windows Vista: "The Validation service is unable to determine whether this copy of Windows Vista is genuine" error message
Resolves an error that typically occurs when Windows Vista was preinstalled on a computer by an OEM.

Find help when Windows XP systems installed by using a Volume License Key may be marked as non-genuine
Resolves a problem when an incorrect or corrupted WGA Data.dat file exists.

Unable to download WGA updates on Windows XP computers
Provides resolution steps when Windows has not been validated.

The Office Genuine Advantage program has been retired and the features of the OGA Notifications tool will no longer be active.

Microsoft is committed to antipiracy and will continue to support customers worldwide who may be victims of counterfeit Microsoft software. Microsoft takes piracy very seriously and will continue to educate consumers about the benefits of using genuine Microsoft products. Genuine Microsoft software works the way you want and gives you confidence that you’re getting the latest product features and ongoing improvements to keep your software performing at its best.

If you believe that you are a victim of counterfeit software, please visit Microsoft's How to Tell website. There you will find more information about genuine Microsoft software and explore content to help determine if your copy of Office is genuine. You can also report suspected piracy if you believe your copy of Office is not genuine.

For more information about Microsoft Office products, please visit the Office website. If you would like to purchase a genuine copy of Microsoft Office, please visit the Microsoft Store.

If you have additional questions or otherwise require support on this issue, please contact us for support options.

Validation and Licensing

Microsoft Genuine Advantage - Diagnostic Site
Get help with configuration settings to successfully run the validation process.

What is validation and how does it work?
Understand what is collected during the validation process and possible causes of validation failure.

Common reasons for failed validation
Review common reasons and possible resolutions for validation failure.

Product Sales and Licensing Solution Center
Learn more about product sales documents, purchasing and trial software information, software licensing terms and more.

Microsoft Software Piracy Protection
Know the facts and learn how to protect yourself from piracy.

Report Software Piracy
Reporting suspected violations of privacy when you encounter them can have a positive impact on the fight against piracy.

Learn more about reporting piracy
Frequently asked questions about reporting piracy.

Proper licensing practices
Learn the facts about proper licensing and solutions if your software is unlicensed or non-genuine.