We've had at least a couple of regulars here who have had a problem with the verification on their Windows. I think in the cases reported it was because a builder/seller had cloned copies without paying paying for the license to do it.

Some people stuck with a counterfeit copy can get a free replacement or activation. Some others may be offered a "reduced cost" valid copy. Some others may just S.O.L.. In order to get a "fix" for a counterfeit copy you usually do have to "cooperate" by filling out a questionairre and indentifying the counterfeiter. If you're technically the counterfeiter, as with a new motherboard, Microsoft may allow reactivation if the new board is nominally equivalent to the old one, and the original OEM isn't available to replace with an identical one.

Copies preinstalled by an OEM builder are considered "part of the machine" so you're not allowed to put them on another machine. If you need personal support, the OEM builder is expected to supply it; and Microsoft won't in most cases.

A "corporate user" can get a license to use the OS on a certain number of machines, and is free to swap machines as long as the total number of licenses (seats) purchased isn't exceeded. A corporate licensee is expected to be able to provide the support for all his/her own machines. (This license isn't usually "economical" for fewer than about 10 machines.)

An individual user who buys the software separately from a retailer gets an "FRP" license (Full Retail Package) and can put it on any machine, or move it from one to another, as long as it's only on one machine at a time. Microsoft will provide support directly to FRP users, for a limited time or "for fee" after.

The last time I looked, the "FRP" package was about 30% more expensive than what a small OEM builder would pay per copy for what the builder pre-installs. Larger builders probably get a pretty hefty additional discount.

Even for OEM licensed users, Microsoft often will provide some direct support for problems related to updates, and most people find that the KB articles are quicker than going "personally" to Microsoft or the OEM for most problems, but choosing an OEM builder that's able to provide support, should you need it, is part of making the choice.

An unvalidated copy will "terminate itself" after a certain number of reboots. Microsoft says it will still run, but certain functions will be locked out. They give no indication of which functions are disallowed, but probably lots of people are running that way and don't know it.

Microsoft will still provide CRITICAL updates for unvalidated copies, but you can't get them automatically. You have to connect and ask for them. You can't get the optional updates without being validated.

John