Moderators Andavari Posted February 22, 2007 Moderators Share Posted February 22, 2007 Microsoft has released the Windows Genuine Advantage Notification tool again, which caused allot of uproar just last year. Yet again Microsoft is posing it as a "critical update." If you don't want it installed pay attention to what Automatic Updates/Windows Updates you're about to install by reading the description(s). And of course if you've been duped into installing it there's always RemoveWGA (that is if it works on the WGA Notifications version just released, for which I don't know). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators TwistedMetal Posted February 22, 2007 Moderators Share Posted February 22, 2007 I noticed that yesterday. I like "Hide this update". Your Friendly Neighborhood Piriform Forum Moderator Quick Links: CCleaner Products | CCleaner Documentation | Knowledge Center | Downloads | Lost License Key Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spysnake Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 I like "Hide this update". Don't! If someone at Microsoft sees that sentence, who knows what could happen. It could be even taken away =( Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeW Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 Microsoft has released the Windows Genuine Advantage Notification tool again, which caused allot of uproar just last year. Yet again Microsoft is posing it as a "critical update." If you don't want it installed pay attention to what Automatic Updates/Windows Updates you're about to install by reading the description(s). And of course if you've been duped into installing it there's always RemoveWGA (that is if it works on the WGA Notifications version just released, for which I don't know). The 'remove WGA' has been taken down at the insistance of MS. However, some of us still have copies Win 7 Home Premium 64 bit - IE11 - Nod32 - Mbam pro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDPower Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 The 'remove WGA' has been taken down at the insistance of MS. However, some of us still have copies Still available on Softpedia: http://www.softpedia.com/get/Tweak/Uninsta...RemoveWGA.shtml Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnGrA Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 Microsoft has released the Windows Genuine Advantage Notification tool again, which caused allot of uproar just last year. Why was there uproar about downloading this so called up date, is it because of the fact that people have illegal copies. I for one have downloaded it because it doesn't bother me to allow it to check if it is genuine or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parvez Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 I just saved a backup copy in my external harddrive Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New_Age Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 WGARemoval is also on Betanews.com Windows 7 Ultimate 64-Bit Edition | COOLER MASTER Centurion 590 with 4 120mm Blue LED FANS 1 Regular 120MM FAN and a Custom Window Side Panel | AMD Athlon II x4 2.6GHZ Stock| XIGMATEK HDT-S963 92mm | ASRock A780GXE/128 | G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) @800MHZ | CF 2 XFX 4850 1GB @GPU940/MEM1005 | 320GB/OS 160GB/Storage HDDs | LG CD/DVD SATA | Rosewill 600W 2 12v Rail@44 | Ccleaner, Defraggler | Malwarebytes', SUPERAnti-Spyware | Avira AntiVir Personal | Google Chrome v3/4, IE8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Andavari Posted February 22, 2007 Author Moderators Share Posted February 22, 2007 I updated my link to RemoveWGA to point to the Softpedia.com page. So to Microsoft! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Andavari Posted February 22, 2007 Author Moderators Share Posted February 22, 2007 Why was there uproar about downloading this so called up date, is it because of the fact that people have illegal copies. I for one have downloaded it because it doesn't bother me to allow it to check if it is genuine or not. You should really search sites and read about its previous fiasco, there's even an old thread on these forums about it. At first (speaking about last year) I didn't think it was a big deal until: * It could deem valid installations of XP as being illegal. * Caused some serious problems as reported by end-users, and companies - hence the reason Microsoft removed it completely and only just re-released it. ...if you need more reasons to be leary of it just search for it using Google or whatever. Also it is in no way a critical update in any sense, and shouldn't be said to be one by Microsoft. It's only an add-on that shouldn't even show up unless someone visits the Microsoft Update, or Windows Updates websites. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New_Age Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 It's funny that Microsoft HASN't developed a App. that would give you ATLEAST 2 months to buy a Reg. key from there site if you were to have an illegal copy But yet again I bet a lot of people would be Pissed if Microsoft went that route Windows 7 Ultimate 64-Bit Edition | COOLER MASTER Centurion 590 with 4 120mm Blue LED FANS 1 Regular 120MM FAN and a Custom Window Side Panel | AMD Athlon II x4 2.6GHZ Stock| XIGMATEK HDT-S963 92mm | ASRock A780GXE/128 | G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) @800MHZ | CF 2 XFX 4850 1GB @GPU940/MEM1005 | 320GB/OS 160GB/Storage HDDs | LG CD/DVD SATA | Rosewill 600W 2 12v Rail@44 | Ccleaner, Defraggler | Malwarebytes', SUPERAnti-Spyware | Avira AntiVir Personal | Google Chrome v3/4, IE8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators TwistedMetal Posted February 23, 2007 Moderators Share Posted February 23, 2007 Fact or Fiction, I don't know. I also heard it sends data to Microsoft each time you connect to the internet. You should really search sites and read about its previous fiasco, there's even an old thread on these forums about it. At first (speaking about last year) I didn't think it was a big deal until: * It could deem valid installations of XP as being illegal. * Caused some serious problems as reported by end-users, and companies - hence the reason Microsoft removed it completely and only just re-released it. ...if you need more reasons to be leary of it just search for it using Google or whatever. Also it is in no way a critical update in any sense, and shouldn't be said to be one by Microsoft. It's only an add-on that shouldn't even show up unless someone visits the Microsoft Update, or Windows Updates websites. Your Friendly Neighborhood Piriform Forum Moderator Quick Links: CCleaner Products | CCleaner Documentation | Knowledge Center | Downloads | Lost License Key Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnDemolition Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 probably fiction. i doubt that it would send any info to Microsoft. or else i see lawsuit i also installed the new WGA Notifications tool and it didn't ask or tell me anything soooo...i'm still genuine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators rridgely Posted February 23, 2007 Moderators Share Posted February 23, 2007 I always just let it install. I would probably be sining a different tune if it ever labled one of my computers as illegal though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnDemolition Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 i don't know if you people know this, but the Dutch version of the WGA Notifier shows the advantages of illegal software... Link: http://news.softpedia.com/news/The-WGA-Too...are-47784.shtml edit: stupid IPB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeW Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 This is the information it collects and sends every 2 weeks [WGA Notifications and Firewalls Some personal firewalls, though not the basic one in Windows, may alert on the method by which wgatray.exe is started, in the case of Outpost firewall, it is identified as a "hidden process". The wgatray.exe process itself can be firewall blocked, without apparent problems. Removing the reference to WGALOGON.DLL using HijackThis appears to effectively de-install this update, to the point where it will be offered again if it has not been marked "do not show". A tool has been released by a firewall vendor to prevent WGA Notifications transmitting information from one's PC.[8] [edit] Data collected When the WGA checks your system to see if it's genuine or not, it checks the following:[9] [10], BIOS Checksum. MAC address. Hard drive serial number. Language version of the operating system. Operating system version. PC BIOS information (make, version, date). PC manufacturer. User locale setting. Validation and installation results. Windows or Office product key. Windows XP product ID. [edit] Spyware accusations The notification tool has been accused of spyware-like behavior, "phoning home" on a daily basis.[11][12] Microsoft subsequently admitted the behavior, but denied that it amounted to spyware.[13][14] Following pressure, Microsoft announced that in future the tool would only phone home once every two weeks, instead of every day.[15] Microsoft has also provided removal instructions for the pilot version of WGA.[7] Despite this, Microsoft is currently being sued under anti-spyware statutes over WGA's non-disclosed "phone home" behavior.[16] The outcome of the lawsuit has not been determined.] Win 7 Home Premium 64 bit - IE11 - Nod32 - Mbam pro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Humpty Posted February 23, 2007 Share Posted February 23, 2007 My XP pro slip streamed with only some sp2 updates from over a year ago is never updated deliberately as I prefer my own security and have noticed that when I do allow XP to update it actually seems to slow down. Ghosting back to before the updates solves the prob and I doubt if I need or will use WU again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithuk Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 Well I didn't realise WGA had been out that long. I've just done a search for Wgatray.exe on here and found this. Why was there uproar about downloading this so called up date, is it because of the fact that people have illegal copies. I for one have downloaded it because it doesn't bother me to allow it to check if it is genuine or not. Now M$ posted an update link a couple of weeks ago so I downloaded a WGA app and installed no problem. Then last week they posted another WGA so like a fool I downloaded and installed. I did a restart and now I got two buttons on the welcome screen saying something like you have a counterfeit version of Windows. Click to resolve or resolve later. When Windows starts up you get no desktop image just a message in the bottom right saying the same thing and a star icon in the systray. Right-click to validate, so on the web put in the CD-Key and the message back not a valid version. Well it was only two weeks ago when I installed WinXP after having it for 4 years. I bought a genuine sealed copy with a copper hologrammed CD with CDKey. I went online to register it and the reply back was thanks for registering your Windows then information will be entered into our database. I emailed M$ about this problem and they didn't forward any sort of reply only links to M$ search. Of course you can't uninstall WGA didn't see that softpedia link till now so the next thing is a system restore and it disappeared then. So I'm wondering if any of these crucial updates are worth downloading? Keith Windows XP 2002 SP3 IE 7.0 Martin2k Rorshach112 is the best Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Andavari Posted December 3, 2008 Author Moderators Share Posted December 3, 2008 Nice to know it should still not be installed deeming your legally purchased version as illegal - that's f'd up and I bet if you phoned for help they'd charge you like crazy for the "support." Hence the reason I started this thread way back when. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoKenny Posted December 3, 2008 Share Posted December 3, 2008 Nice to know it should still not be installed deeming your legally purchased version as illegal - that's f'd up and I bet if you phoned for help they'd charge you like crazy for the "support." Hence the reason I started this thread way back when. Every time I had to call due to registration problems I was treated with utmost courtesy as I had all of the information needed in front of me and listened carefully and followed their directions. Having worked on a Help Desk for many years I know that someone calling in starting off a conversation yelling at me irked me a bit but by patient listening to their rant then slowly getting them to follow one simple instruction I could get the situation resolved. Then there were the few that should not own anything technical nor that has pointy ends as they can do themselves or others serious harm as tempers induce flying objects and the inability to comprehend that things obey laws that at sometimes take rational thought unencumbered by angry rage of an inanimate object. "Education is what remains after one has forgotten everything he learned in school." - Albert Einstein IE7Pro user Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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