I just received an email for the purchase of software keys. Is this a to good to be true thing? Could it definitely be a buyer beware.

Please delete this after checking it out. But would like an answer. I don't think this is legal. JB

When you only get a key, its not legal. You need a COA (produkt key sticker) and a DVD. Only Technet/MSDN subscribers get keys during the subscription time without a COA, but this is legal."A programmer is just a tool which converts caffeine into code" CLIP- Stellvertreter http://www.winvistaside.de/

Hi It is not necessary to post the URL of a website selling illegal product keys. You can simply describe what the website is offering. Here are some facts. If a website offers any of the following, then it is illegal. There are no exceptions. 1. Single or multiple Product Keys that do not include the physical installation media and an official COA (Certificate of Authenticity) attached to the box. 2. Downloadable copies of Windows. Only Microsoft can offer downloadable copies of Windows. Here is more information. Physical Media. How to Tell: Certificate Of Authenticity What is a Certificate of Authenticity (COA)? A Certificate of Authenticity (COA) is a label that helps you identify genuine Microsoft software. A COA is not a software license – it is a visual identifier that assists in determining whether or not the Microsoft software you are running is genuine. However, without it, you will not have a legal license to run Microsoft software. A COA should never be purchased by itself without the software it authenticates. Go to the following website. How to Tell In the Scams section, expand this link: Non-Microsoft.com downloads Here is what you will see: Microsoft does not authorize any other Web sites to offer downloads of Microsoft software. Some of these counterfeit downloads may include viruses or broken code. The only way to download genuine Microsoft software is through Microsoft.com. You can report this website using the following link. Reporting Piracy, Protect Yourself Hope this helps. Thank You for using Windows 7 Ronnie Vernon MVP

Ronnie Vernon, Will you report this? It is impossible to report because of the required fields that I do not have the information. Will not allow the submit without them and phone service is closed. Thank you JB

Ronnie Vernon, Will you report this? It is impossible to report because of the required fields that I do not have the information. Will not allow the submit without them and phone service is closed. Hi Yes, it has been reported. Thanks for the information. Thank You for using Windows 7 Ronnie Vernon MVP

This story also about COA. Many legal way not give COA. Not M$ store, DigitalRiver, TechNet, MSDN. Not even KMS or MAK give COA. I buy few online auction key that perfect WGA. Almost free so cheap. I trust only for testing, because very suspicious. From MSDN? Merchant not say. How to find out truth?

This story also about COA. Many legal way not give COA. Not MS store, DigitalRiver, TechNet, MSDN. Not even KMS or MAK give COA. Like I mentioned, all of these sources are from Microsoft. The COA is only required if you are purchasing from a reseller, other than Microsoft. I buy few online auction key that perfect WGA. Almost free so cheap. I trust only for testing, because very suspicious. From MSDN? Merchant not say. How to find out truth? You may be able to purchase a product key from an auction or other illegal website, which may even pass the initial product activation. This is because the product key has not been reported as stolen yet. Sometime in the future, when the key is determined to have been sold illegally, it will be added to the list of non-genuine keys and your computer will lose the activation. You will see a warning that you are using an illegal or non-genuine copy of Windows. Regards, Thank You for using Windows 7 Ronnie Vernon MVP

Thank you for opinion. But it make suspicion that key stolen. We know that today and always before today 3rd-tier distribution channels often unfortunate, but rarely dishonorable. I asked, how to test for truth?

Thank you for opinion. But it make suspicion that key stolen. We know that today and always before today 3rd-tier distribution channels often unfortunate, but rarely dishonorable. I asked, how to test for truth? Hi I'm not sure why you are not understanding? The only way a third party seller can sell a copy of Windows is if they send it to you in a box with the official hologrammed disk and with an official COA attached. If they want to send the product key in an email or allow you to download a copy of Windows, then it is illegal. I hope this makes sense to you. Thank You for using Windows 7 Ronnie Vernon MVP

Thank you again for opinion. But that only your say-so. I won't anger you with more inquiry. But I try to be honorable and submit for test. You do not answer how. Now I just wait to see what happen. That's all.

Thank you again for opinion. But that only your say-so. I won't anger you with more inquiry. But I try to be honorable and submit for test. You do not answer how. Now I just wait to see what happen. That's all. Hi again This is not just my opinion and I'm not angry. If you take the time to access the links I posted in my original message, you will see that this information comes directly from Microsoft. I'm not sure what type of 'test' you are talking about? You have been told what to look for when buying Microsoft software, the test would be if the offer does not meet those requirements, then it is illegal. Here are the links again. How to Tell: Certificate Of Authenticity How to Tell Regards, Thank You for using Windows 7 Ronnie Vernon MVP

We already discuss. That story say every copy must have COA. "However, without it, you will not have a legal license to run Microsoft software." Now you add missing words. Except M$. Except Digital River. Except .... How many Excepts you going to add? I do not know my merchant one of those Excepts. Just your say-so? I cannot submit for test. So now I just wait. Nothing more to say.

We already discuss. That story say every copy must have COA. "However, without it, you will not have a legal license to run Microsoft software." Now you add missing words. Except M$. Except Digital River. Except .... How many Excepts you going to add? I do not know my merchant one of those Excepts. Just your say-so? I cannot test. So now I just wait. Nothing more to say. Hi The MS store, DigitalRiver, TechNet, and MSDN are exceptions, because they all belong to Microsoft. The answer is that if your merchant is not Microsoft, then they are not an exception. Regards, Thank You for using Windows 7 Ronnie Vernon MVP

The MS store, DigitalRiver, TechNet, and MSDN are exceptions, because they all belong to Microsoft. The answer is that if your merchant is not Microsoft, then they are not an exception. Digital River not public trade NASDAQ company? I think that not so. Just more say-so. Not point anyway. The story you link make it very clear everybody must give COA. Now you make new words. My point I ask with politeness to submit for test. But only get say-so answers.

The MS store, DigitalRiver, TechNet, and MSDN are exceptions, because they all belong to Microsoft. The answer is that if your merchant is not Microsoft, then they are not an exception. Digital River not public trade NASDAQ company? I think that not so. Just more say-so. Not point anyway. The story you link make it very clear everybody must give COA. Now you make new words. My point I ask with politeness to submit for test. But only get say-so answers. Hi Digital River is a fullfillment company that contracts with Microsoft to distribute the special offers for software, such as the Student discount programs. All of the downloads for the software are handled through the Microsoft servers. The only way we could test a product key that you purchased would be if you gave us details about the purchase. Post the URL for the website, what exactly did you order, what was the cost, and what did you receive. Hope this helps. Thank You for using Windows 7 Ronnie Vernon MVP

I would submit keys to secure M$ facility for inspection if you say how. If dishonorable merchant, I accept misfortune and tell you. WGA say perfect. Many famous online distributors not listed among Microsoft Authorized Distributor list. Some of your favorite not there. It means little. How to get OEM version, you know where and everybody know it too, but M$ keep a good secret. Little point in discussing Authorized list. Just test key. Final answer.

Buy your Windows from a retail dealer who can hand you a DVD with the COA. The internet ones are universally frauds. Vote if answered or helpful, I am running for Office (joke)! IT/Developer, Windows/Linux/Mainframe Need a some parts finish the new server, see the site for remaining items needed