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Where is the Certificate of Authenticity label located on Dell laptops?

Summary: This article provides information about the Dell Certificate of Authenticity (COA).

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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Symptoms

What is the Certificate of Authenticity?

 

A Certificate of Authenticity is a string of characters -- alpha, numeric, or alpha-numeric -- which coincides with a particular software product installed on your computer. The most common COA received with a Dell computer is the Microsoft Windows COA. You also receive one if you purchase an office suite, such as Microsoft Office 2003 Basic.

The COA indicates that the copy of your software is legally licensed by the manufacturer, such as Microsoft or Corel. These COAs are located on your computer or with your backup CDs.

NOTE: The Microsoft Windows Certificate of Authenticity label is a label containing a 25-digit alpha-numeric Product Key code and a 14-digit COA code. This label is located on the chassis of your Dell computer system.

Windows 11, Windows 10, and Windows 8 computers do not have a Certificate of Authenticity label. For more information, see Windows Product Key Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
 

See Figure 1 For an example of the Certificate of Authenticity label.

Cause

The labels are located in slightly different locations, including inside the battery compartment on the bottom of the computer, depending on which system type you own.  See Figure 1 for an example of what the label looks like.

SLN289661_en_US__3inspiron02

Figure 1: Certificate of Authenticity Label Located on the Bottom of an Inspiron Computer

Resolution

Browse to the Dell Community Forum for More Information

Browse to the Dell Community Forums to find out what others in the Dell user community are saying. The Dell Community Forums provide a place for Dell users to discuss support topics, learn, and help each other. Use the message boards to post questions and answers.

 

Affected Products

Desktops & All-in-Ones, Laptops
Article Properties
Article Number: 000153000
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 29 Aug 2024
Version:  10
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