How to check if Win XP is authentic?

[Gary Richtmeyer]

I work on a lot of different PCs. Is there a SIMPLE way to determine if the
Win XP that's on the PC is authentic? Sometimes it's easy to know (they get
the "may be counterfeit" popups), but if the latest updates haven't been
installed (e.g. Win Gen Advantage), it's not always easy to know for sure.

I'm looking for a program I can store on my USB thumb drive (along with all
my other tools) that I can run stand-alone that will tell if the user has
one of the pirated versions or if the OS is authentic.

p.s. There are some MS programs that authenticate before installing, but I
don't want to actually install a program just to see if Win XP is authentic
or not.

-- Gary Richtmeyer

 

[Synapse Syndrome]

I work on a lot of different PCs. Is there a SIMPLE way to determine if
the Win XP that's on the PC is authentic? Sometimes it's easy to know
(they get the "may be counterfeit" popups), but if the latest updates
haven't been installed (e.g. Win Gen Advantage), it's not always easy to
know for sure.

I'm looking for a program I can store on my USB thumb drive (along with
all my other tools) that I can run stand-alone that will tell if the user
has one of the pirated versions or if the OS is authentic.

p.s. There are some MS programs that authenticate before installing, but I
don't want to actually install a program just to see if Win XP is
authentic or not.

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/howtotell/windows/default.aspx?displaylang=en-gb

ss.

 

[Nepatsfan]

I work on a lot of different PCs. Is there a SIMPLE way to determine if the
Win XP that's on the PC is authentic? Sometimes it's easy to know (they get
the "may be counterfeit" popups), but if the latest updates haven't been
installed (e.g. Win Gen Advantage), it's not always easy to know for sure.

I'm looking for a program I can store on my USB thumb drive (along with all my
other tools) that I can run stand-alone that will tell if the user has one of
the pirated versions or if the OS is authentic.

p.s. There are some MS programs that authenticate before installing, but I
don't want to actually install a program just to see if Win XP is authentic or
not.

-- Gary Richtmeyer

Currently, Microsoft provides a web site for this purpose.

Microsoft Genuine Advantage – Diagnostic Site
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/diag/

Previously, they provided this standalone app.

WGA Diagnostic Tool
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=52012

Good luck

Nepatsfan