Certificate of Authenticity

A Certificate of Authenticity (COA) is a label to help you and your customers identify genuine Microsoft Windows software. Without it, your customers will not have legal licenses to run their Windows software.

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COA Overview

The COA is not a software license. The Certificate of Authenticity is only a visual identifier that helps determine whether Microsoft software is genuine. It should never be distributed by itself without the software it authenticates.

The COA label is contained within the OEM System Builder software pack for Windows software. System builders are required to affix the Windows COA label to the side of the PC on which the software is being preinstalled. Licenses must also be distributed with hologram media, documentation, and the EULA.

OEM System Builder Windows Software License Distribution

Individual OEM System Builder Windows software licenses must be distributed with the following:

	Certificate of Authenticity (COA) label
	Hologram media
	Documentation
	End-user license agreement (EULA)*

*Note: The EULA can typically be found online within the software

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A single, integrated partnering framework that recognizes your expertise
Rewards you for the total impact that you have in the technology marketplace
Delivers value to help your business succeed

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