PowerEdge: How to locate the Microsoft OEM Windows Server COA Label

Summary: This article provides information about the Microsoft OEM Windows Server Certificate of Authenticity (COA) label on Dell PowerEdge servers. Learn about different COA versions, anti-counterfeit features, proper COA usage, and the location of the COA label. ...

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.
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Instructions

Certificate of Authenticity (COA)

The COA is a sticker or a label that helps identify genuine Microsoft Windows software, often attached to the chassis of the server. All OEM Windows Server operating system (OS) orders must contain a COA label providing a legal license to run the OS. The COA label also contains the operating system's product key. The product key may be needed if the OS must be reinstalled or for activating virtual machines.

Standalone COAs

Definition: Standalone COAs are COAs sold by themselves, without the accompanying software they authenticate. They are often branded as "excess inventory" or "unused labels" and are often counterfeit COAs. Purchasing standalone COAs and passing them off to unsuspecting customers is a form of piracy.

How to Avoid: COAs should never be sold, shipped, or purchased on their own, without being affixed to a system or sold with related Microsoft software (either full packaged product or Microsoft OEM software acquired by system builders). Do not fall victim to standalone COAs.

For additional details, see Microsoft personal computer Purchase. How to Tell.This hyperlink is taking you to a website outside of Dell Technologies.

Versions of COAs

  • In February 2021, Microsoft released an updated version of the COA label with revised anti-counterfeit features. On systems preinstalled with or licensed for Windows after February 01, 2021, the COA may feature the product name on the label and anti-counterfeit security features.
    Example COA label beginning on February 2021
    Figure 1: A sample COA label

  • Introduced in February 2020, a polymer substrate replaced the paper-based substrate. The artwork and anti-piracy features were also updated.
    Example COA label beginning in February 2020
    Figure 2: A sample of an older style COA label

  • For COAs affixed to systems preinstalled with or licensed for versions of Windows, the COA may feature the product name printed on the label and also contains anti-counterfeit security features such as:

    • An interwoven security thread is built into the paper, and random paper fibers are visible at the surface.
    • A color-shifting ink edge changes from green to magenta when viewed from different angles.
    • Moiré Image: Within the red area on the left side of the label is a feature to help prove that the label is genuine. Hold the label horizontally at arm's length and eye level. Look straight at the label and then move to a shallow viewing angle, for example by tilting the label away from you. A series of zig-zag lines and squares become visible where previously there appeared to be none.
    Example COA label begging in December 2016
    Figure 3: Another older sample COA label

Product Key Concealment

The concealment panel consists of a small clear label with removable silver scratch-off material that has been applied to conceal a portion of the product key. This concealment panel is designed to protect the product key from unauthorized use. When a product key is required for use by the rightful owner, the silver scratch-off material should be carefully removed with a fingernail or coin.

Example of COA Product Key Concealment
Figure 4: Removal of the concealment layer

Location of COA

The COA label is affixed by Dell to the servers at the factory for preinstalled Windows Server operating systems. A COA label may also be applied to a server by a Dell channel partner as part of a Reseller Option Kit (ROK).

To locate your OEM Windows Server COA, look in the following locations:
Rack server: The COA is adhered to the top of the server chassis.
COA label on top of rack server
Figure 5: The COA location on the top panel of a rack-mounted server

Tower server: The COA is adhered to the top, bottom or back of the server chassis.
tower server COA
Figure 6: Possible COA locations on a tower server

COA sticker on bottom of tower server
Figure 7: Another possible COA location on a tower server

Blade or modular server: The COA is adhered to the top of the server blade.
COA label on
Figure 8: The COA location on top of a blade server


C-series blades have the COA sticker on the bottom of the blade sled.
SLED COA
Figure 9: The COA location on the bottom of a blade sled
 

On 15th and 16th-generation rack-mounted servers, the COA is located closer to the middle of the server. Locating it may require pulling the server out of the rack.


15th Gen COA sticker location
Figure 10: The COA location on the top panel of a 15th-generation rack-mounted server

Additional Information

See Dell's Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Solutions.

Affected Products

PowerEdge XR2, PowerEdge C4130, Poweredge C4140, PowerEdge c6320, PowerEdge c6320p, PowerEdge C6420, PowerEdge C6520, PowerEdge C6525, PowerEdge C6615, PowerEdge C6620, Poweredge FC430, Poweredge FC630, PowerEdge FC640, Poweredge FC830 , PowerEdge FD332, PowerEdge FM120x4 (for PE FX2/FX2s), PowerEdge HS5610, PowerEdge HS5620, PowerEdge M630, PowerEdge M630 (for PE VRTX), PowerEdge M640, PowerEdge M640 (for PE VRTX), PowerEdge M830, PowerEdge M830 (for PE VRTX), PowerEdge MX740C, PowerEdge MX750c, PowerEdge MX760c, PowerEdge MX840C, PowerEdge R230, PowerEdge R240, PowerEdge R250, PowerEdge R260, PowerEdge R330, PowerEdge R340, PowerEdge R350, PowerEdge R360, PowerEdge R430, PowerEdge R440, PowerEdge R450, PowerEdge R470, PowerEdge R530, PowerEdge R530xd, PowerEdge R540, PowerEdge R550, PowerEdge R630, PowerEdge R640, PowerEdge R6415, PowerEdge R650, PowerEdge R650xs, PowerEdge R6515, PowerEdge R6525, PowerEdge R660, PowerEdge R660xs, PowerEdge R6615, PowerEdge R6625, PowerEdge R670, PowerEdge R730, PowerEdge R730xd, PowerEdge R740, PowerEdge R740XD, PowerEdge R740XD2, PowerEdge R7415, PowerEdge R7425, PowerEdge R750, PowerEdge R750XA, PowerEdge R750xs, PowerEdge R7515, PowerEdge R7525, PowerEdge R760, PowerEdge R760XA, PowerEdge R760xd2, PowerEdge R760xs, PowerEdge R7615, PowerEdge R7625, PowerEdge R770, PowerEdge R7715, PowerEdge R7725, PowerEdge R830, PowerEdge R840, PowerEdge R860, PowerEdge R930, PowerEdge R940, PowerEdge R940xa, PowerEdge R960, PowerEdge T130, PowerEdge T140, PowerEdge T150, PowerEdge T160, PowerEdge T30, PowerEdge T330, PowerEdge T340, PowerEdge T350, PowerEdge T360, PowerEdge T40, PowerEdge T430, PowerEdge T440, PowerEdge T550, PowerEdge T560, PowerEdge T630, PowerEdge T640, PowerEdge XE2420, PowerEdge XE7420, PowerEdge XE7440, PowerEdge XE8545, PowerEdge XE8640, PowerEdge XE9640, PowerEdge XE9680, PowerEdge XR11, PowerEdge XR12, PowerEdge XR4510c, PowerEdge XR4520c, PowerEdge XR5610, PowerEdge XR7620 ...
Article Properties
Article Number: 000132520
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 30 Sep 2025
Version:  18
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