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Article Summary: This article contains information regarding "Why my new Dell computer doesn't have a Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity (COA) label".

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My new computer doesn't have a COA label

New Dell systems ship with one of the two following operating system configurations:

• Windows 8 Home or Professional
• Windows 8 Professional License and Windows 7 Professional operating system factory downgrade
• Windows 10 Home or Professional
• Windows 10 Professional License and Windows 7 Professional operating system factory downgrade

Microsoft has changed the licensing process for Windows 8. There are no Certificate of Authenticity (COA) labels attached to the chassis because Windows 8 / Windows 10 does not use the same activation process as previous versions of Windows. For Windows 8 / Windows 10, the Product Key is "injected" onto the computer motherboard at the factory, and the installation and activation processes refer to the BIOS of the computer to verify authenticity and activate Windows.

You can also refer to this Dell article: Where is my Windows 8 Product Key, and How Can I Tell That My Windows 8 Installation Is Genuine?

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Specifics on the Windows 7 Professional Downgrade

Systems that shipped with the Windows 7 Professional downgrade, (The downgrade is available on Dell Latitude, OptiPlex and Precision Workstation models), the Windows 8 license is Microsoft's authorization to install Windows 7 Professional. Since Windows 8 / Windows 10 has no COA, no COA label is attached to the system.

For systems that shipped with the downgrade option, the Windows 8 / Windows 10 license is Microsoft's authorization to install Windows 7 Professional. Since Windows 8 / Windows 10has no COA, no COA label is attached to the system. Windows 7 Certificates of Authenticity are not available on these systems.

If a system is not Windows 7 certified, it also lacks the BIOS microcode to activate Windows 7. Windows 7 drivers for all system components on these models may not be available.

If Windows 7 is supported on the system the key will be injected in the BIOS.

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