What is a COA?

The Certificate of Authenticity is not a license to use the Microsoft software. The COA is a security device that accompanies a legally licensed Microsoft software. It includes the product key for your version of Windows which is hidden under a scratchable silver surface.

The COA assists you to determine whether the Microsoft software and components, such as media and manuals, are genuine. If your Microsoft operating system software (Windows 8, Windows 10 and other versions) were supplied to you preinstalled on a new computer system by an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), look for the Certificate of Authenticity on the exterior side panel of the computer case.

CyberPowerPC, the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), is required to affix the Certificate of Authenticity in this manner. For other Microsoft software, your COA is included with the software components and you should keep them in a safe place.

The COA contains anti-counterfeiting devices, such as the holographic strip, to help prevent the production of counterfeit Microsoft software.

Finding your Windows product key (for systems before 2018)

If your system has a COA sticker on it or the sticker was included on your boxed copy of Windows, you will have to carefully and gently scratch off the silver surface labeled "Microsoft" to reveal your Windows product key. A coin is ideal for this as it is a hard flat surface without a sharp edge that won't damage the code underneath.

 

If you use something too sharp such as keys or a knife, you make damage the code under the silver surface making the code illegible as in the example in Figure 1.

 

Figure 1: Damaged COA Windows Key

 

Damaged Windows Keys are not replaceable by CyberPowerPC. You will need to contact Microsoft for a replacement.

 

Finding your Windows product key (for systems after 2018). Systems with no COA sticker.

As of 2018, most if not all systems now use the digital COA method, which means that the product key is now embedded into the system's BIOS permanently. This means that when you re-install windows, it will detect the product key automatically as long as you are using the same original motherboard. These keys are linked to the motherboard and are valid for any system that has that motherboard installed. It is not linked to the computer system as a whole. So for example, if you remove or replace your motherboard, your windows key may no longer be valid since it is technically not the same computer anymore.