How to make sure that installed Windows 7 OS is genuine, when buying used laptop?

Question

Soon I am going to buy a used laptop computer. I am checking advertisements, and some of the sellers promise a genuine copy of Windows 7 OS installed on the system.

On a couple of occasions I have already seen Windows genuine tests showing that the installed OS has a valid license. Later however, it proved to be a cracked copy.

When trying out the potential new computer, how to make sure that the installed Windows 7 actually is genuine, and not a cracked version ?

Solution

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/exe-validation.aspx

Download the genuine validation tool. Even if they have messed with the validator that is part of Windows this should still pick it up.

Comments

[Ramhound]

Purchase for an a Microsoft OEM

[davidgo]

Surely if the Laptop was sold new with an OEM copy of Windows, and the license is affixed to the laptop, it must be a legitimate copy of Windows. (OEM licenses are bound to the system they were supplied with and according to the license can't be transferred - thus if the OEM sold it with Windows 7 surely it must still have a license for that Windows 7)

[misha256]

Windows 8.x does things better. If you purchase a laptop that "comes" with a Windows 8 licence, that licence is actually encrypted in the laptop's BIOS. You can wipe the hard drive clean and use an OEM Windows 8.x install DVD to re-install the OS. Windows will pick up the key in the BIOS without ever asking you. Too easy. You can always google laptop specifications to check if a particular model comes with a Windows 8.x license. cnet.com/news/windows-8-moves-to-bios-based-product-keys