New Microsoft Authentication Label - Summer/Fall 2022

Applies To: Microsoft Internal, Authorized DPC Distributor - AOD, Direct Retail Distributor; OEM Channel Distributor - OCD; Reseller; Retail Reseller

In July 2022 Microsoft is deploying a new authentication label for Retail/FPP products and in September 2022 deploying a label for ODR Distributor packs for Windows Commercial OEM products. This label will be applied to specific SKUs and in specific countries/regions for use as a quick and simple visual reference to establish genuine packs. This label is deployed for use by End Customers, Resellers, and Microsoft’s enforcement parties. A similar Microsoft authentication label has been in use in Southeast Asia, Korea, and India for Windows FPP (Pro and Home), Windows Server FPP (Standard and Essentials), Windows Remote Desktop Services User CAL, SQL Server FPP (Standard), Office FPP (Office Home and Business and Home & Student), M365 FPP (Business Standard, Family, Personal), Project FPP (Pro and Standard), and Visio FPP (Pro and Standard) for just over two years.

Authentication Label for ODR Distributor Packs

An image of the new authentication label and where it will be placed on ODR Distribution Packs is below.

The Microsoft label part number is X22-26556-02 and Microsoft’s OEM Authorized Replicators are aware of the use and timing relative to deployment.

The impacted markets are UAE, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, South Africa, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Zambia, Uganda, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Hungary, and Romania.

The impacted products are Windows Pro and Home.

Information about new authentication label is on Microsoft’s corporate How-To-Tell website, ( How To Tell - Packaged Software (microsoft.com ) with a brief video showing the anti-counterfeit security features of the label.

Authentication Label for Retail / FPP

An image of the new authentication label and where it will be placed on FPP boxes is below.

The impacted markets are Southeast Asia, India, Korea, UAE, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, South Africa, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Zambia, Uganda, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Hungary, and Romania.

The impacted products are:

• In Southeast Asia, India, and Korea – Windows FPP (Pro and Home), Windows Server FPP (Standard and Essentials), Windows Remote Desktop Services User CAL, SQL Server FPP (Standard), Office FPP (Office Home and Business and Home & Student), M365 FPP (Business Standard, Family, Personal), Project FPP (Pro and Standard), and Visio FPP (Pro and Standard)
• In Central and Eastern Europe (EMEA) – Windows FPP (Pro and Home), M365 FPP (Business), Office FPP (Office Home and Business and Home & Student)
• In Middle East and Africa – M365 FPP (Business), and Office FPP (Office Home and Business)

This is shown on Microsoft’s How-To-Tell site with a brief video showing the anti-counterfeit security features of the label.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is Microsoft deploying this Authentication Label?
A: Microsoft believes that it is important for consumers and resellers to be able to be able to quickly differentiate genuine product from non-genuine in the marketplace, and continually receives input from a variety of sources that this type of authentication capability is important for that purpose.

Q: Do I need any special tools or equipment to authenticate features of this label?
A: No. This authentication label can be viewed in normal lighting conditions and does not require a reader or tool.

Q: Is this new authentication label always on every product in every region?
A: No. Use of the authentication label is targeted both in product and region, intended to be present where it provides a quick reference for genuine where it is needed most.

Call to action

We encourage you to familiarize yourself with the features of these labels and use them as a visual confirmation of a genuine product.

Details

Below you will find the SKUs that are receiving the new authentication label.

ODR SKUs in Scope:

Retail / FPP SKUs in Scope: