| Author |
Message |
    
ril
Citizen
Username: Ril
Post Number: 565
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 5, 2006 - 9:05 pm: | 
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Microsoft really, really seems to want me to install this update, which, if I understand it, will report back to Microsoft what software I have on my computer. While my Windows software is, as far as I know, genuine and licensed, I can't see why this would be a good thing for me to install. Any thoughts?
(and please don't tell me to get rid of my PC or Windows--necessary for me to do work at home). |
Larry Seltzer
Citizen
Username: Elvis
Post Number: 66
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 5, 2006 - 10:29 pm: |
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No, it doesn't report back on what you have on your computer other than that your version of Windows is a legal one. It also checks back periodically (the current version checks maybe every 90 days) to see if there are updates in the WGA software itself.
Microsoft's language on WGA has been unfortunately Orwellian and misleading. WGA is an anti-piracy tool. Your copy of Windows will continue to run no matter what WGA thinks about it, and you'll still be able to get critical security updates, but not other updates (like a new version of DirectX), and WGA itself will pester you if it thinks you're running pirated software.
In other words, if you're legal you won't notice it running. Install it. |
Bailey
Citizen
Username: Baileymac
Post Number: 339
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, July 6, 2006 - 9:01 am: |
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If you do install it, and want to remove it, I just read that Microsoft has posted instrutions on its removal. Apparently, a LOT of people didn't like the idea!
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/921914
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Politicalmon
Citizen
Username: Politicalmon
Post Number: 191
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, July 6, 2006 - 9:10 am: |
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If you are not 100% sure your license for the OS and MS Office is legit, don't install the update. |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 12047
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, July 6, 2006 - 10:00 am: |
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Interesting. I have a year old Sony Vaio desktop that came preloaded with Windows and I have a pretty genuine certificate that says it is "legal", However, for the last couple of months we have been getting a message saying our software isn't "legal". So far they haven't pulled the plug.  |
Politicalmon
Citizen
Username: Politicalmon
Post Number: 193
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, July 6, 2006 - 10:19 am: |
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Are you sure it's not referring to your copy of MS Office? |
ril
Citizen
Username: Ril
Post Number: 566
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, July 6, 2006 - 10:56 am: |
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I'm sure my Windows software is legit; not so certain about Office (which I got from work). Genuine Advantage checks all MS components? or just Windows?
What happens if Microsoft determines the software isn't properly licensed? Will it stop working? Will Bill Gates come to my house and take it away? |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 14916
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, July 6, 2006 - 11:36 am: |
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Microsoft Patents Ones, Zeroes
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tom
Citizen
Username: Tom
Post Number: 5232
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, July 6, 2006 - 12:35 pm: |
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I keep getting the same thing showing up in Windows Update. I refuse on principle. My OS is legit, but why do I need them to tell me? For that matter, why would someone who's pirated a copy need it either?
"Windows Genuine Advantage" is a typo. It instead should be "Windows' Genuine Advantage," because I'm hard-pressed to see why it's an advantage to me. |
Monster©
Supporter
Username: Monster
Post Number: 3939
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, July 6, 2006 - 5:36 pm: |
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I'm glad I don't have this problem with Apple, heck, I've never even had to enter in a serial number to install the OS, and only a few of their apps. |
Larry Seltzer
Citizen
Username: Elvis
Post Number: 69
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Friday, July 7, 2006 - 7:53 am: |
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>>"Windows Genuine Advantage" is a typo. It instead should be "Windows' Genuine Advantage," because I'm hard-pressed to see why it's an advantage to me.
Absolutely, it's an anti-piracy measure that's basically all to their benefit. But if you don't install it the only updates you'll be able to get are critical security updates. So feature improvements, non-critical bug fixes, etc., not for you.
And of course you don't have to do this with Apple because they're a bunch of nazis who won't let you run their software on any hardware but their own. Piracy really can't be an issue because they have taken you prisoner already. Go check your e-mail, I'm sure there are more orders from Apple there for you. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 14921
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Friday, July 7, 2006 - 12:26 pm: |
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That's fascinating, Larry. It's hard to decide which company is more of a control freak, because they use such different methods of control.
Apple's narrowness is their strength and their weakness. The lack of hardware diversity means fewer choices but also builds reliability. That's both good and bad.
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Mayor McCheese
Supporter
Username: Mayor_mccheese
Post Number: 1782
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 11, 2006 - 1:18 pm: |
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Damn, I guess someone installed this on my computer. It says I have a pirated copy of windows, and it won't stop running in the memory. I wonder why it says that... wait, no I don't. I guess I will go and uninstall it now. Stupid microsoft... make me waste time out of my day... |
TarPit Coder
Citizen
Username: Tarpitcoder
Post Number: 88
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, July 23, 2006 - 6:38 pm: |
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WGA does suck from a spyware point of view - for legit owners of the OS. I think it's entirely BS to bitch about MS taking down a copy of their software that was stolen.
The blurbs I've seen on the web about what MS will do if they detect an illegal install of Windows range from 'Won't allow you to Patch the OS to they'll disable the OS.
The not allowing security patches for illegal copies of Windows is a thorny issue in itself - Does MS have a responsibility to ensure that machines running an illegal copy aren't part of a botnet- spamming everyone.
I do think that MS hardware policies for OS installs are overly restrictive. I think it's insane that if you buy a motherboard, buy an XP OEM licence with it, the motherboard dies, you replace the motherboard (even with same model) and then bring up Windows that you can't - and they will infact sometimes refuse to let you validate your XP install - as it was tied to the old dead motherboard.
Luckily we have stuff like Linux now - which just keeps getting better day by day by day.
--Tarp
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Mayor McCheese
Supporter
Username: Mayor_mccheese
Post Number: 1918
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 11:40 am: |
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I have now had to uninstall the thing twice. I don't need another program running in the background taking up more memory. |
ril
Citizen
Username: Ril
Post Number: 585
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 1:45 pm: |
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Is there a way to get rid of that annoying reminder that I need to install the update (ie Gen Advantage)? It pops up every time I turn on the computer.
Alternatively, is there a way to install it, but not allow it to run in the background and report to MS? (my software is legit, I just don't want GA to slow me down) |
Mayor McCheese
Supporter
Username: Mayor_mccheese
Post Number: 1938
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 2:26 pm: |
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If you install it, it will run.
If when windows wants you to install it, you go to custom install and uncheck it and tell windows not to install then they will leave you alone about it. For now... |
Monster©
Supporter
Username: Monster
Post Number: 4206
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 3:18 pm: |
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You used to be able to work around this by doing the following,
When performing an update,
before pressing 'Custom' or 'Express' buttons paste this text to the address bar and press enter:
javascript:void(window.g_sDisableWGACheck='all')
It turns off the trigger for the key check.
I don't think this still works, but this might,
http://labnol.blogspot.com/2006/04/workarounds-to-disable-non-genuine.html
Quote:
End the process wgatray.exe in Windows TaskManager and restart Windows XP in safe mode. Now delete the following files:
Delete WgaTray.exe from c:\windowss\ystem32
Delete WgaTray.exe from c:\windows\system32\dllcache
Start Windows Registry editor and delete the folder "WGALOGON" located in the following location:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\ Windows NT\CurrentVersion\WinlogonNotify. Delete all references in your registry to WgaTray.exe
For the above, and for alternatives, check the link at the top of the quote.
Did you know that M$ has been giving out free copies of XP if you tell them where you "bought" the pirated copy?
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Mayor McCheese
Supporter
Username: Mayor_mccheese
Post Number: 1943
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 4:12 pm: |
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Monster, when you uninstall it that way microsoft update reads it as though you never got it, and installs it again. A few days ago I uninstalled it again and did the "Custom" undate and unchecked it, so that still works. Your method here will get rid of it, but not insure that MS will not put it back on your machine. |
Alleygater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 2340
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 4:17 pm: |
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I'm just curious...how much more evidence do you need that M$ is EVIL!!!? |
Mayor McCheese
Supporter
Username: Mayor_mccheese
Post Number: 1945
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 5:29 pm: |
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Alleygater, annoying is more the word. Every company does what it can to prevent pirating software. And millions of people steal stuff from mircosoft.
(Not that I would ever steal windows XP, or office 2003 pro, or anything else like that...) |
Alleygater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 2341
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 - 11:31 pm: |
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No. Evil is DEFINITELY the EXACT word I would use. |
Mayor McCheese
Supporter
Username: Mayor_mccheese
Post Number: 1961
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 26, 2006 - 1:40 pm: |
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The devil made macs. |
TarPit Coder
Citizen
Username: Tarpitcoder
Post Number: 94
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, July 27, 2006 - 12:01 pm: |
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actually I thought that the devil made the C64...
Hides behind atari 800...
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Rastro
Citizen
Username: Rastro
Post Number: 3659
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Friday, July 28, 2006 - 12:51 pm: |
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RemoveWGA
Concerned that Microsoft's Windows Genuine Advantage program is
reporting back to Microsoft without your say-so? The free RemoveWGA
tool alerts you if WGA notification is active on your system, stops
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Version: unnumbered
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Download RemoveWGA now at:
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