32 replies to this topic

[Humpty]

Quote:

The tool, called Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications, is designed to validate whether a copy of Windows has been legitimately acquired. However, it also checks in with Microsoft on a daily basis, the company confirmed Wednesday.

Story

[Eldmannen]

That sucks, typical evil Microsoft.

So, it is spyware?

[hazelnut]

Microsoft made out this was to stop all the pirate copies, and so people who bought legitimately would not be subsidising them.

I feel conned, why should they have to know my business ?

[Andavari]

It's of no surprise to me that it phones home. However, now I know where those few extra bytes of data that are sent out when I log onto the Internet, although it doesn't bother me one bit because all of my commercial software is legitimate.

[Eldmannen]

Even if all your commercial software is legitimate, its still not their business.

[Mudd]

Eldmannen, on Jun 16 2006, 11:03 AM, said:

Even if all your commercial software is legitimate, its still not their business.

You can stop all the contacting each time you start the PC. Use your Firewall to let it connect once. After that block it! Did that couple weeks ago and I was able to get the Updates this last Tuesday. Seems as if once you let it verify it doesn't need to again unless they send an Update to the subject program. Maybe then.

[lokoike]

Thanks for that, Mudd. I was going to block it with my ZoneAlarm, but I didn't know if MS would give me warnings about that, so I didn't mess with it. Armed with that info, I'll make sure to deny it permission!

And I totally agree with Eldmannen. Whether or not your non-MS software is legit, it isn't any of Microsoft's damn business!! And who is to say that they only look at what software you have? What is keeping them from viewing your personal data as well? Sure, it seems silly to accuse a major corporation of illegally viewing your hard drive's contents, but since nobody is allowed to view the source code, how would we ever know?

Makes you wonder....

[Tarun]

MSFN.org Frontpage said:

Microsoft Corp.'s program for testing whether a PC is running a genuine copy of Windows, known as Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA), has drawn considerable fire from users since it was launched last July. This week, Microsoft gave users another reason to complain when it confirmed that the version of the program being delivered as a "high priority" automatic update for Windows PCs is a test version. Usually, Microsoft distributes test versions of software separately from updates, and users are given the opportunity to sign up for the software before test versions are downloaded.

Microsoft said that users still can opt out of downloading the update, called WGA Notifications, and that its user license makes it clear that it's prerelease software. However, many users don't read an entire license agreement, which can be lengthy, before downloading software to their computers. And some download all Windows updates without looking closely at the fine print.

I never downloaded it, and told my updates to hide it.

One thing is for sure. It shows how many people are totally stupid and blindly download these things. It is marked as High-Priority, but you don't have to download it once. It's even a pre-release software.

They're changing the call-home on it though to once every two weeks instead of daily.

But yeah, it is their business if you own and use a pirated version, it's illegal.

[lokoike]

Tarun, on Jun 17 2006, 11:30 PM, said:

But yeah, it is their business if you own and use a pirated version, it's illegal.

I totally agree. As long as that is the ONLY thing they are looking for...


But I do have one question:

You (Tarun) stated that you didn't download/install it, and you have no intentions of doing so. I was under the impression that this particular WGA tool was a required download if you want to get any updates in the future. I thought it was basically a matter of either download it or receive no further Microsoft Update support. Was I wrong? Will you still receive Windows Updates even if you don't use this tool to prove to Microsoft that your copy of Windows is genuine?

[Andavari]

When the newest version of WGA became available I had to download it, because MS Update always went to a page to update it to the newest version.

[Humpty]

Using Firefox?

Link

Discussion-remove WGA

[krit86lr]

lokoike, on Jun 18 2006, 02:27 AM, said:

Was I wrong? Will you still receive Windows Updates even if you don't use this tool to prove to Microsoft that your copy of Windows is genuine?

Yeah, Tarun. How are you getting your updates? Are you just using a workaround? I had never found it necessary, but now I'm wondering about that.

[Tarun]

I still have WGA installed. Thing is we're talking about two totally different things!

Notice that the original post is about Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications.

Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications notifies you if a copy of Microsoft Windows XP is not genuine. The notification messages only appear on computers that have failed the Windows Genuine Advantage validation process and that are running a copy of Windows XP that is not genuine. If you are running a validated, genuine copy of Windows XP, you will not receive notification messages.

About WGA

WGA is installed as a BHO in IE (and if you download it for Firefox as a plugin). It then checks with Microsoft when you go to update from their website to see if your Windows is valid.

The WGA Notifications is a downloadable application that will be installed and, since it is a pre-release it is still in testing. What it does is send a few bytes to Microsoft daily to see if your Windows is valid or not. They are currently in the process of recoding it since it is not final to check once every two weeks.


lokoike -> No, it's a High Priority update but it is not required.

Microsoft Update website said:

High-priority updates
Microsoft Windows XP

Windows Genuine Advantage Notification (KB905474)
Download size: 935 KB , less than 1 minute
The Windows Genuine Advantage Notification tool notifies you if your copy of Windows is not genuine. If your system is found to be a non-genuine, the tool will help you obtain a licensed copy of Windows.

lokoike said:

Was I wrong? Will you still receive Windows Updates even if you don't use this tool to prove to Microsoft that your copy of Windows is genuine?

I hid the update for WGA Notifications way back when I saw it was beta and I am still able to download Windows Updates. After all, you only need WGA, not their WGA Notifications.

krit86lr said:

Yeah, Tarun. How are you getting your updates? Are you just using a workaround? I had never found it necessary, but now I'm wondering about that.

My Windows is genuine and running WGA which is all I need to get updates. No workarounds or anything like that. I'm legit.

For those who are wondering, you can read more about Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications. In addition, if you read about WGA Notifications it will tell you how to uninstall/temporarily disable WGA Notifications.

[krit86lr]

Tarun, on Jun 18 2006, 10:12 AM, said:

I hid the update for WGA Notifications way back when I saw it was beta and I am still able to download Windows Updates. After all, you only need WGA, not their WGA Notifications.

Ah, now I get what you were saying. And I didn't mean to imply that you aren't legit. I thought you just might be bypassing some BS.

[hazelnut]

Humpty, on Jun 18 2006, 11:10 AM, said:

Discussion-remove WGA

Interesting.
I definitely posted the link to this discussion here a few days ago, however the post then disappeared. RRidgely said he didn't remove it so I wonder where it went?

EDIT found it in an almost identical thread in this section ---

"microsoft to ease up on piracy check-ins"

[1984]

that was very informative Tarun.

[Andavari]

I'm wondering if MS will at some point make a device that must be attached to the computer like those that my mom has in order to use your sewing/embroidery software to make sure it's:
1. Legit.
2. Just to load the software.

It seems over-the-top, but it would sure as hell make casual piracy a thing of the past, and I know if I owned MS and the most popular OS I would make it damn near impossible for people to use an illegal copy.

[Eldmannen]

Andavari, on Jun 19 2006, 02:13 PM, said:

I'm wondering if MS will at some point make a device that must be attached to the computer like those that my mom has in order to use your sewing/embroidery software to make sure it's:
1. Legit.
2. Just to load the software.

It seems over-the-top, but it would sure as hell make casual piracy a thing of the past, and I know if I owned MS and the most popular OS I would make it damn near impossible for people to use an illegal copy.

Why do you think Microsoft has been pushing so hard for Treacherous Computing (TC) ?
To get the chinese to buy their software...

[Eldmannen]

Humpty, thanks nice tool!


Btw, at "Add/Remove programs" in control panel, you cant uninstall WGA.
But from CCleaner at the uninstall thing, you can uninstall WGA.

[bigbrownlog]

My comp. has been running like s**t lately so I looked for the problem and WGA seems to be it not shure. I am experiencing problems w/limewire, Windows movie maker, Nero Vision Avid, Hollywood FX , Rhino, Etc... All progs that use alot of mem. they lock up at times slow down sometimes

I read this whole thread and didn't see one thing mentioned about how WGA is modifying my phys. memory.

Is it not a big deal? It seems like it to me. Also Yes you can uninstall WGA w/ccleaner but only one of the 3 that are on my comp. After I deleted the first one the other 2 say missing uninstaller. Any thoughts



I have cleaned my comp very well using Spybot, Adaware, Spy sweeper, CCleaner, RegScrubXP, RegMechanic, XP Tools, UnHack Me, Trojan Hunetr, NortonAV, Zone Alarm, even Mem Optimizers