Notice: This website is an unofficial Microsoft Knowledge Base (hereinafter KB) archive and is intended to provide a reliable access to deleted content from Microsoft KB. All KB articles are owned by Microsoft Corporation. Read full disclaimer for more details.

Windows Genuine Advantage validation is required when you download Windows updates


View products that this article applies to.

Summary

Windows XP

The Windows Genuine Advantage validation is required when you request a genuine Windows download from the Microsoft Download Center or from Windows Update. The validation process applies to the following Microsoft Windows XP editions:
  • Windows XP Home Edition
  • Windows XP Professional
  • Windows XP Tablet PC Edition
  • Windows XP Media Center Edition
All users of genuine Windows and non-genuine Windows software can access security updates through Automatic Updates. The Windows validation is required to make sure that customers have access to the latest features, updates, and support from Microsoft.

To validate your Windows XP software, visit the following Web site, and then click Validate Windows: If the validation is unsuccessful, you will receive a description of why the software is not genuine Windows software. Additionally, you will receive information about how to obtain genuine Windows software.

Windows Vista

The Windows Genuine Advantage validation is required when you request a genuine Windows download from the Microsoft Download Center or from Windows Update. The validation process applies to all Windows Vista editions. This includes the following editions:
  • Windows Vista Starter
  • Windows Vista Home Basic
  • Windows Vista Home Basic N
  • Windows Vista Home Premium
  • Windows VistaBusiness
  • Windows Vista Business N
  • Windows Vista Enterprise
  • Windows VistaUltimate
All users of genuine Windows and non-genuine Windows software can access security updates through Automatic Updates. The Windows validation is required to make sure that customers have access to the latest features, updates, and support from Microsoft.

To validate your Windows Vista software, visit the following Web site, and then click Validate Windows: If the validation is unsuccessful, you will receive a description of why the software is not genuine Windows software. Additionally, you will receive information about how to obtain genuine Windows software.

↑ Back to the top


Keywords: kb, kmcustomerservice, kbhowto, kbinfo

↑ Back to the top

Article Info
Article ID : 932348
Revision : 1
Created on : 1/7/2017
Published on : 6/21/2014
Exists online : False
Views : 273