How do I know if my Windows is genuine?

Go to Settings → System → Activation. If it says "Windows is activated with a digital license" linked to your Microsoft account, it is genuine. Activation errors or an "Activate Windows" watermark indicate it is not licensed.

Do I need to worry about licensing for free software?

Usually not, but distinguish "free for personal use" from "free for business". Some software is free at home but requires payment for commercial use.

Can I check licensing across an entire company at once?

Yes. Use a software inventory tool with an agent on each machine; the data is centralized in one dashboard and license status is classified automatically for every device.

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How to Check Software Licensing on Your Computer (Windows & macOS)

A step-by-step guide to checking software licensing on Windows and macOS: list installed apps and tell whether each one is licensed, free, or pirated.

Published Jun 11, 2026 · 3 min read

Not sure whether the software running on your machines is legal? It is an extremely common problem — especially for businesses with dozens or hundreds of computers. This guide shows you how to check software licensing yourself on Windows and macOS, how to classify each app, and when to switch from manual checks to an automated tool.

What does "licensed software" mean?

Software is "licensed" when you have the legal right to use it: you bought a license, you are within a valid trial, or the app is free for your use case. By contrast, pirated software is paid software that has been cracked, activated with an illegal key, or installed beyond the number of seats you purchased.

To know which bucket an app falls into, first list every installed program, then match each one against its license status. See Licensed vs Free vs Pirated software to understand the three groups.

List installed software on Windows

Settings → Apps → Installed apps: the clearest visual list, with install size and date.
Control Panel → Programs and Features: traditional desktop installs, with the publisher name.
PowerShell: run Get-Package or query the registry to export a full list to a file — ideal for auditing many machines.

Tip

The "Publisher" column matters. Genuine software always names a publisher; cracked builds often leave it blank or show an unfamiliar name.

List installed software on macOS

Open Finder → Applications to see installed apps.
Go to → About This Mac → More Info → System Report → Software → Applications for the full list with version and install source.
Apps from the Mac App Store are almost certainly legitimate; apps installed from external .dmg files need a closer license check.

Match each app to its license status

Licensed — you have an invoice, a valid key, or an active subscription (Microsoft 365, Adobe Creative Cloud...).
Free — inherently free or open-source (VLC, Chrome, 7-Zip, GIMP...). See the free alternatives list.
Needs review — paid software with no proof of purchase. This is the highest-risk group.

Signs of pirated software

A blank publisher, "crack/keygen/patch" in the install folder, expensive paid software with no invoice, or blocked updates — all warrant an immediate review.

Manual checks do not scale for businesses

Manual checking is fine for a couple of personal machines. But managing 20, 50, or 500 computers by visiting each one, taking screenshots, and typing into a spreadsheet is impractical — and the data is stale the moment someone installs something new.

This is where an automated software inventory (SAM) tool comes in. A lightweight agent on each machine reports its app list to a central dashboard, automatically classifies licensed / free / needs-review, and alerts you to risks.

Audit every piece of software across your organization — automatically, in real time.

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Summary

List software: Windows via Settings/Control Panel/PowerShell; macOS via System Report.
Classify each app: licensed, free, or needs review.
Watch the publisher and crack signals to spot pirated software.
For many machines, use an automated inventory tool to keep the data accurate.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if my Windows is genuine?: Go to Settings → System → Activation. If it says "Windows is activated with a digital license" linked to your Microsoft account, it is genuine. Activation errors or an "Activate Windows" watermark indicate it is not licensed.
Do I need to worry about licensing for free software?: Usually not, but distinguish "free for personal use" from "free for business". Some software is free at home but requires payment for commercial use.
Can I check licensing across an entire company at once?: Yes. Use a software inventory tool with an agent on each machine; the data is centralized in one dashboard and license status is classified automatically for every device.