Is my Windows 7 Home Premium Retail Genuine or Fake?

Hi Torchwood,

I've googled the last 3 blocks of the activation code and absolutely nothing comes up on google which is a good sign I suppose...

Now the code could very well be legitimate, however the disks might not??? As I've mentioned in my first post, it's the hologram on the disks that bothers me - a thin plastic film comes away very easily revealing the hologram underneath (see image 5 in my original post). on the MS website it says:

Earlier version of Windows
Microsoft packaged software products prior to Windows 10 such as Windows, Office and Windows Server are delivered on a CD or DVD, which includes vibrant colour and 3D effects on the inner hub of the disc as the disc is tilted. This hologram is embedded within the disc; it is not a label.
There is also an inner mirror band hologram located on the inner part of the back (data) side of the DVD. It changes colour as the disc is tilted. Note: The copper holographic material is embedded within the DVD and is not a sticker. If the hologram peels away, you may have received counterfeit software (report counterfeit software to Microsoft).

Source: https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/howt...gedSoftwareTab

I've highlighted in red what tells me that the DVD's could be counterfeit.

Deiniol

Hi DW,
Have a look at this thread, especially the pictures you'll see what i meant about versions
Another no longer genuine - Help.

Roy

Hi dw2016,

looking at your photo that looks a little dubious. If that hologram is a sticker then it is 100% a fake disc. MS NEVER has the hologram on a sticker, it's embedded into the disc.

A friend of mine bought a Retail Windows 8 from ebay, looked very realistic, packaging was high quality, along with all booklets and product key card. But, when checking the discs it was clearly a sticker with the hologram.
After running slmgr.vbs /dli it came up with an OEM_DM key so it was not a Retail version, most likely a manufacturer key.

If it were me, I would ask for a refund.

Hi Torchwood,

Just had a look at the thread you suggested. I saw the COA sticker images - they are for OEM if I'm correct? (I have an OEM sticker for Vista on my computer from when I bought it new from HP years ago).

The COA in my image on the original post is stuck onto the outer packaging of the DVD case, the product key is on a separate yellow sticker which is on a sheet inside the case. I guess that's how Retail versions are sold?

When I was doing my original research into versions I decided I'd go for Retail and not OEM as they are only for system builders (which I'm definitely not!). It would also mean that I could 'move' the OS to a different machine if I wanted to in the future (or if there were any major hardware changes).

The video was very enlightning, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kB7qgQtNZe4

Obviously, counterfeits are getting very sophisticated and you need to be on the ball to spot them!

Deiniol

Hi Brds7t7,

Exactly, the hologram is just stuck on! On the other side of the 64bit disk there is supposed to be a small hologram surrounding the central hole but it's almost all scratched off...

The small hologram on the reverse of the other other disk (32bit), is intact but I found can easily lift it off with my fingernail.

I've already put a request for a full refund through the official eBay channels stating that I believed it to be counterfeit.

Deiniol

Good job you caught it within the 30 days. There are some very authentic looking fakes on eBay. I haven't purchased anything major from ebay for a few years now. Except some very cheap items which won't cost much if they break.

But, as far as software goes, eBay is just a breeding ground for counterfeit goods and scammers unfortunately.

It may not be counterfeit or fake, but it can be USED before.

Also this is not Retail version, but
It is Anytime Upgrade version. On the disc in picture 2.

eBay may have to accept refund, otherwise you can report to MS
Let eBay deal with the seller.

Eric3742 said:

It may not be counterfeit or fake, but it can be USED before.

Also this is not Retail version, but
It is Anytime Upgrade version. On the disc in picture 2.

eBay may have to accept refund, otherwise you can report to MS
Let eBay deal with the seller.

It is 100% fake.

Also, all Windows 7 Retail discs have the Windows Anytime Upgrade info on them. I own many Retail versions of 7 and they all have that.

Maybe you can send to MS.

They may offer to give you a new Retail version (Free maybe).

Most Manufacturer like to identify on counterfeit &or fake.
As in this way, they will know more on how it is done, as not many can tell the differences.

I had one incident on a product where i went back to the Distributor for repair.
The staff said it is counterfeit &or fake.
So they give me a new and pay a small cost.
As the staff said they are interested and on how look closely on the counterfeit was made.