what is genuine Windows?

Answer 1

legally Windows, from Microsoft.

Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) is a program initiated by Microsoft that requires users of Microsoft Windows to validate their copy of several recent Microsoft operating systems when accessing several Microsoft Windows services, such as Windows Update, and downloading from the Microsoft Download Center. Previously voluntary, it became mandatory for use of these services in July, 2005. Users who have automatic updates set to "Notify," and do not put a checkmark next to the WGA download, are not affected.

Answer 2

On disk it is one in a sealed package with registration documents including the proper codes.

In a house it is that thing with glass in you can see the outside world through.

Answer 3

Ones with glass in them and a wee man who comes around once a week to wash them!

Answer 4

It is a copy of Windows which you have registered in your name (or the name of the machines owner) and is validated and therefore is not a ripped off or illegal copy!

Answer 5

It discovers which windows is original, and which is pirated

Answer 6

It means original copy not pirated.

Answer 7

Genuine Microsoft Software

Genuine Microsoft software is published by Microsoft, properly licensed, and supported by Microsoft or a trusted partner.

By using genuine Microsoft software, you can be confident that your software is legitimate and fully supported by Microsoft. Learn more about how Microsoft is working to protect consumers against counterfeit and pirated software below.

On This Page
The Effects of Software Piracy
The Microsoft Genuine Software Initiative
The Commitment to Anti-Piracy
Additional Resources

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The Effects of Software Piracy
The Business Software Alliance reported that, in 2004, an incredible thirty-five percent of software used worldwide was unlicensed, pirated, or counterfeit. Additionally, many users of counterfeit and unlicensed software are not aware that their software is not genuine. The negative impact of software piracy is not limited to these consumers, who spend millions each year on software. It also has a negative impact on local and regional economies, as well as the global economy. A recent report from the market research firm IDC found that, if the global software piracy rate was lowered just 10 percentage points over the next 4 years, this would contribute a total of 2.4 million new jobs and $400 billion in economic growth to the global economy. For more information about how software piracy affects communities and nations, see market research firm IDC’s 2005 IDC Economic Impact Study report on the economic effects of software piracy.

Microsoft supports efforts that aim to strengthen local, national, and global economies and to provide customers with software that helps them realize their full potential.

Microsoft works to protect customers and encourage a healthy software ecosystem through the Microsoft Genuine Software Initiative.

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The Microsoft Genuine Software Initiative
The Genuine Software Initiative (GSI) focuses the company’s many activities and investments directed at combating software counterfeiting and other forms of software piracy into a single initiative. The initiative will focus increasing investments across three strategic areas: Education, Engineering, and Enforcement.

Key to protecting consumers and reducing software piracy are educational efforts. The best way to protect consumers is to raise their awareness of the issue, equip them to spot counterfeit software, and help them understand what they should do about it.

As part of the overall effort to raise awareness, Microsoft is working with industry partners to make consumers aware of the increasing risks associated with acquiring and installing counterfeit software. While the internet facilitates commerce, it has also been adopted by software pirates as a new vehicle for peddling their illegal wares. The possibility of being infected by spyware or other malware, such as viruses, or receiving incomplete code increases when consumers are sold counterfeit software over the internet. Microsoft has also seen instances of credit card theft by selling software online that later turned out to be counterfeit.

In addition to exposing users to critical issues, like identity theft during the acquisition of the illegal software, installing and using counterfeit software can prevent customers from obtaining some updates and premium add-ons. For example, counterfeit copies of Microsoft Windows XP will not be able to download important updates or premium add-ons such as newer versions of Windows Media Player or Internet Explorer. Access to these product add-ons is offered to users of genuine Microsoft Windows products through a validation process. As part of the Genuine Software Initiative, Microsoft is encouraging customers to use the Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) tools and the other information resources available on http://www.microsoft.com/genuine to make sure they have genuine software.

The Genuine Software Initiative includes increased investments in three key areas:

• Education. Microsoft is raising awareness of customers and resellers about the risks of counterfeit software to enable them to better protect themselves and ensure their software licensing is in order. Microsoft websites such as www.howtotell.com provide detailed information and examples of counterfeit software.

• Engineering. Microsoft is continuing to invest in anti-counterfeiting technologies and product features that protect its intellectual property and alert consumers to the presences of counterfeit software. This includes improvements in programs such as Windows Genuine Advantage.

• Enforcement. Microsoft actively supports government officials and law enforcement agencies in taking action against software counterfeiters. Already this year, thousands of reports of counterfeit software have been filed by consumers through the Microsoft Windows Genuine Advantage web site, as well as by email at [e-mail]. These reports have contributed directly to numerous civil actions that have been filed against software pirates around the globe.