Answer to your questions about the Windows Server 2019 Certificate of Authenticity

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Security is top of mind for almost every business these days. HPE and our Partners work hard to protect our customers’ data and their businesses. An important part of this effort involves thwarting piracy, so customers have peace of mind that their hardware and software are genuine. The Windows Server^® 2019 Certificate of Authenticity (COA) is one of these measures. Read on to get answers to some common questions about the COA.

What is a COA?

A Windows Server COA is a sticker that proves that a copy of Windows Server 2019 is genuine. There are two types of licenses that come with a COA:

• Microsoft^® retail Full Packaged Product (FPP) license types, which are not attached to hardware. They’re attached to a card or the physical packaging.
• Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) COAs for the operating system (OS) must be adhered to the server, except for products with reassignment rights; in that case the COA is attached to a card.

Where will a customer find the COA?

If a customer received their OEM OS from a reseller, the COA should have been affixed to the new server by the reseller in the following locations:

• HPE ProLiant ML (tower) servers: The COA is adhered to the front bezel.
• ProLiant DL (rack) and SL (scale out) servers: The COA label is on the side of the server, and you must pull the server out of the rack to see the COA.
• HPE ProLiant BL (BladeSystem) servers: The COA is on the top of the blade, so you have pull out the blade to see the COA label.

Can a COA be transferred?

OEM COAs are tied to the hardware they were purchased with and can only be transferred to another system in two situations:

• If the customer purchases Microsoft Software Assurance for the OEM license within 90 days of buying the server with an OEM server license.
• When reassignment rights are specified within the product terms. Note that this option is only included in “Windows Server 2019 Datacenter w/ Reassignment Rights” SKUs.

What should a customer do if they lose their COA?

The COA is the most important part of an OEM license. It’s the primary proof of purchase that the server includes a genuine Microsoft OEM license. It’s also the only place customers will find their unique 5x5 product key, which is used to activate their Windows Server OS license. If the COA is lost, neither Microsoft nor HPE can replace the COA or its product key. Therefore, HPE strongly recommends that customers keep a record of the 5x5 product key from their COA on file, ideally by saving a high-resolution digital picture of the COA.

What should a customer do if the COA label is defective, damaged, or missing when the server arrives?

If the server with a defective/damaged/missing COA was purchased directly from HPE, they can contact the HPE Call Center. It’s important to do so during the 90-day warranty period to receive the best assistance. The HPE support analyst will probably ask the customer to email a high-resolution digital picture of the defective or damaged label for investigation. The picture should have a clear image of the COA serial number and what remains of the product key.

If the product was purchased from a reseller, they should contact the reseller for assistance. Note that the reseller can access the HPE Call Center if needed.

If you or your customers have more questions about COAs or other licensing questions, check out the HPE FAQ for Microsoft OEM licensing—Windows Server.