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June 27, 2006 3:12 PM PDT
Microsoft: Here's how to halt WGA alerts
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The updated WGA Notifications package includes changes that respond to criticism Microsoft has faced over the software, the company said. It no longer checks in with Microsoft after each restart, for example.
"Our customers have told us that they were disappointed with their WGA Notifications experience, and we have made an effort to improve that with this update," a Microsoft representative said in an e-mail interview.
WGA Notifications displays alerts on systems running a pirated copy of Windows and includes a separate tool called WGA Validation that runs a piracy check.
Microsoft has faced a lot of heat over WGA Notifications--in particular, because it delivered a prerelease version of the tool alongside security fixes, perhaps turning Windows users into unsuspecting guinea pigs. Also, WGA Notifications was found to ping a Microsoft server after each system restart, a behavior the company did not disclose.
While Microsoft is responding to some of the criticism, it said it will continue to distribute WGA Notifications via the Automatic Updates feature in Windows as a "high priority" update, even though it is not a security update. Some critics had argued that Microsoft should find another way to distribute the tool. Automatic Updates is a service intended to keep users secure by delivering software updates and drivers that help protect against the latest publicly known security threats and reliability issues.
"By using Automatic Updates, Microsoft is able to reach the greatest number of PC users," a representative of the software company said. "Microsoft believes it has a right to know whether systems using a service intended for licensed customers are in fact licensed systems."
Removing alert tool
For the first time, though, Microsoft is offering guidelines on how to remove WGA Notifications. Previously, it had said the software could not be uninstalled, leading others to develop numerous cracks and homegrown patches to counter the tool.
WGA Notifications still can't be removed using the Windows "Add or Remove Programs" feature. Installing the new version will automatically remove the older version of the software.
But for those who don't want the new release, Microsoft now provides step-by-step removal instructions for the old version in a support article on its Web site. It said those instructions will also work to uninstall the updated release of the antipiracy tool, but it said it doesn't sanction that use--if you try to remove the latest version and mess up, you're on your own.
"We have heard from customers that some wish to remove the software," the company representative said. "Anyone who uninstalls...WGA Notifications will still have the new release offered to them via Automatic Updates or Windows Update. Uninstalling the newest version using these instructions is not tested, supported or recommended."
Installation of WGA Notifications remains optional, though that might change in the future, the Microsoft representative said.
The update ends the trial period for WGA Notifications. Microsoft will now start pushing it to users worldwide. All users of English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Dutch and Brazilian Portuguese language versions of Windows XP will soon be offered the updated software, Microsoft said. While WGA Notifications won't "call home" to Microsoft, WGA Validation still periodically checks in with Microsoft, the software maker said.
Windows Genuine Advantage is a stepped-up effort by Microsoft to boost the number of Windows users who actually pay for the operating system. The company has said that roughly a third of Windows copies worldwide have not been acquired legitimately--as a boxed product or bundled onto a machine, for example.
Microsoft has gradually expanded its pirate-busting efforts. At the moment, Windows users must have their PC electronically approved before they can download add-on Microsoft software such as Windows Media Player and Windows Defender. When the antipiracy program started, validation was optional for downloads.
Counterfeit software hurts users and businesses, Microsoft has said. It also contends that pirated versions of Windows sometimes include malicious software and that sellers of legitimate copies of Windows can't compete with the low prices offered by pirates.
See more CNET content tagged:
Microsoft Windows Genuine Advantage, antipiracy, Automatic Update, representative, software company
89 comments
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My brother, who loves updating his machine for gaminig reasons, just found out he used up all his permited OL 'validations'. So NOW he has to waste his time on the phone with the idiots from Microhell everytime he changes something on his machine. (He wasted half an hour because he installed new meory. That is beyound idiotic! He didn't even REINSTALL his OS!)
Then today, for the THIRD TIME SINCE THIS WAG STARTED I was asked to install it AGAIN! How many times do I have to say I don't want it? I paid good money for XP pro, and I don't see why I should have to have my PC constantly scanned by Microhell just because they think I'm using an illigal copy.
I have to jump though a million hoops to validate my copy when I have to install it for whatever reason. If that's not enough for them, too bad.
If your fed up with it, go away.
To quote. Microsoft uses Bios Information, CPU ID (I.E. stepping information) and Hard disk information and something off the video card as well as the machine ID
Change more then two things and you will have to re validate.
Changing Memory will not do it.. it's not even part of the equation. So please try again.
Also if you're unhappy with Microsoft.. then switch to something else, but stop whining about it. Be a man, grow some balls and do something.
as for permanent validations.. there are two unofficially, and if you wait more then say I think it was 6 months one will expire.
To further my point. I have changed my memory my video card and still have not had to re validate. But I changed the Motherboard and CPU in my other system and I had to.
So if your brother.. is swapping his hardware that often.. tell him buy better hardware in the first place.
Microshaft has a right to do this stuff...
but in hindsight i think they will find that it's not wise to throw rocks at a beehive.
Catch32 is tired of people complaining... but I'm tired of people complaining about people complaining
This is what the internet was made for.
don't like then...haha... don't use it:P.
but ya... I totally don't like MS sticking their nose into my computer
I don't think I agreed to this when I bought the software.
then again... who really checks the licence agreements any more any ways?
it's become such a habit to repeatedly click okay okay okay INSTAL! as fast as you can so you can use your stuff
some day... I'm going to make a licence that software engineers can use on their software that states that users who instal it must die.
it will not state when...
but that some day they must die...
and if they don't die... SUE THE CRAP OUTA THEM!! WAHA!
ya... everyone dies tho:P so their all safe... no worries guys.
ya... Getting rid of WAG
ASAP
spyware on your system that checks everytime you boot. And to
remove it, you have to do a registry hack. This is not about piracy,
but about the next generation of Microsoft products. They want to
give you a "key" that has to be checked over the internet each time
you open Word or any other Microsoft product. This was a test and
they got caught.
Under your definition my copy of software that checks home to look for free updates is spyware as well....
God I hate you liars!
issues with Vista license key problems preventing logons. No
thanks!
LOL
There's a reason something is called BETA...
If you had a clue you would KNOW THAT!
Step 8 said to delete a couple files, but the files didn't exist because step 3 had me rename them. Step 10 told me to delete a certain registry key -- twice! And then it told me to delete a key that didn't exist.
Typical MS ineptitude. You know, given that MS charges 2-3 times as much for WinXP as Apple does for Mac OS X, you'd think they'd provide some decent value. But all you get are security holes too numerous to count and complexity requiring user vigilance beyond reason.
Game Over MAN!!!!
Exactly how much does Mac charge for the OS? Exactly how much does Microsoft charge for the OS?
That's not exactly a figure you can put your finger on. Since OSX doesn't work on anything but a MAC, you could call the price you quote for the boxed OS the "update" price because the only reason anyone would buy it is to update the MAC OS. You can't quote the actual price of the OS because it is bundled with the computer and neither is sold seperately (would be like saying "if you buy this car, we'll throw in the engine for this much more"). Microsoft's pricing is just as flaky. You have the retail version, the update version, home or pro versions, the OEM version... and on top of that, they give a discount to the PC makers. Each of these versions are designed to put XP on your PC.
So, show me some facts to back up your statement, please.
for so long, let me say this: Bill of Gates, the evil philanthropist
who bathes in your money every night, wants to control your
souls, your computers, and your wallets. Don't let him do it! My
brothers in alms, dare to think for yourselves, dare to think
different. Throw away your shackles, overcome bondage and
despair, and you will soon see the light.
You said that you wanted more Jobs, less Gates. How right you
were. You also demanded an iLife. How wise. But now the time
has come to take the struggle much, much further!
Repeat after me: "We want a Mac! We want a Mac! We want a
Mac! (And a Coke with ice, thanks)."
To free myself of this B$, I'll have to go back to linux, reformat the file system, repartition, reinstall, relearn everything I have almost forgotten. At least then I can ignore all this m$ crap!
Looks like my nights and weekends will be used up for a while. I have 3 desktops and a laptop.
An exception is if you need to install nividia drivers. You have to be in root, with X shut down, and type in exactly 2 lines on the command prompt. Hardly frightening. Nearly everything else can be taken care of in Yast, a simple yet very powerful system update and management tool.
Give it a shot. It is sleek, stable and extremely easy to use. A 70 year old with little to no windows experience can pick it up quickly.
I get this from that most of the computers that dont pass WGA check are OEM machines from OEM royalties(that change and print their own Microsoft software and support their own Microsoft software)
Now i have seen alot of computers that just didnt pass from haveing a os that was installed on more than one system or they were just plain out sold a illegal copy of software, But i would say at least 75% of all the ones not passing the wga check are rouyalty OEM machines that have valid COA on the computer and is compliant software.
Just another way that DELL and other OEM Royalties support their customers IMO
I get this from that most of the computers that dont pass WGA check are OEM machines from OEM royalties(that change and print their own Microsoft software and support their own Microsoft software)
Now i have seen alot of computers that just didnt pass from haveing a os that was installed on more than one system or they were just plain out sold a illegal copy of software, But i would say at least 75% of all the ones not passing the wga check are rouyalty OEM machines that have valid COA on the computer and is compliant software.
Just another way that DELL and other OEM Royalties support their customers IMO
It shouldn't matter how often I change componetnts on my PC, the only time it SHOULD matter to MS is when I reinstall my OS.
They have NO need to go shoving themselves into a PC whenever something liek a graphic or sound card is changed. It's not relevant to their bussness, and it's not reinstalling the OS. Therefore they shouldn't need to worry about what I do to my machine.
It';s like having to get your house insurance re-approved whenever you paint a room. Waste of time, and totally unessisary because it's NONE OF THEIR BUSSNESS.
WGA, however, is completely separate from reverification.
I've upgraded: Sound Card, Video,Hard Drive(addon not new system drive),Memory (took out 2x512 added 2x1gig of a different speed memory)and NIC
And during those upgrades never once did i have to re-validate windows whatsoever. I did however notice that once when i removed my DVD-RW to use on a friends computer to backup data that when i booted it without the drive(getting info to print)it crashed during booting.....but once i put it back it booted normal.
but in all those updates nothing so i find some claims hard to beleive...oh yeah and i have an OEM copy i bought from an E-tailer
One of these rights is the ability to move that license from the machine it was orgionaly installed on to another machine.
It has always been like this with Microsoft OEM software and you agree to it when you agree to the EULA.
In the past it was easy to take the OEM license and move it and would only be bother by the fact that you broke your EULA that you agreed to and if you were in a bisness and got audited by the BSA the fines that would come along with not being compliant.
To help prevent companies to avoid uncompliancy fines from the BSA Microsoft started activation and WGA check. This has also helped stop casual piracy from the public also. Also has prevented resellers to take one license and sell it to many diffrent people making the license get black listed and the many diffren customers that had bought the computer that their licesnes was used on many machines dont get ripped off by the reseller in these cases.
The whole reason it checks is to make sure you have a legal product and in a way is helping the consumer know that they are getting a genuine product. With over 85% of software sales on the internet being uncompliant it helps the consumer make sure they get legal licenses. The WGA check and sites like www.microsoft.com/howtotell are really helping the consumer not get ripped off as much IMO.
Apple gets away with installing adware on the machiene that touches base WITH THE MARKETING DEPARTMENT! and gets away with it, then Windows trys to check that you paid, and the result is this!
Maybe we should give MS a break and look at every other operating system, without the fuzzy love, just for a bit.
prompt you got using iLife does not make the Mac platform "worse"
for this kind of thing. The iLife prompt at least includes a check
box for those who don't what to see it ever again. The only other
Apple software that does anything like this is QuickTime.
Compare that to all the crap that needs to be removed from a
typcial new OEM PC. There is a great deal of difference.
As an aside, hardware changes, short of installing a new copy of XP don't require revalidation.
I bought an HP Laptop that had a defective hard drive that was
replaced under warranty by HP. When XP was reinstalled on it, the
online validation failed and a telephone revalidation had to be
done, taking several minutes of my time.....which should have been
unnecessary since the software and hardware were all duly
registered in my name with the appropriate companies.
is not. Microsoft has no legitimate reason
to check anything else nor install a program
to call home. Do they really believe that a
person would replace a piece of crap (XP) with
a less reliable pirated piece of crap? If they
are going to lie, it should at least be a lie
that had a bit og logic to it.
I know when I purchased my copy of Windows XP Home Edition the computer store I purchased it from charged me $195 USD and I know for a fact they only paid $90 for it from the distributer. The shop told me that they HAD to sell the operating at that price unless it was bundeled with a "Major Hardware Purchase" which then they were capable of selling the OS for $135. Still a little pricy at the time but I had no other choice aside from buying an il-legit copy from a Pirate seller.
The bottom line is, Microsoft needs to swallow there pride and give back to the consumers that have shelled out for there OS. Lord knows they have gained a significant holding grounds in the OS industry, and most people that have purchased the OS for one PC built are eventually going to need to purchase it for additional PC's built. If MS would have taken the Server 2003 OS and removed the server portions of it to make a home user version the revenue from that would have overly funded the development of Vista (which has been delayed so long) hence the initial first purchasers prices are ensured to be unreasonably high. I understand the seinor programmer at MS has endured enough critisizm over the years with all of the OS's that have been released. Everyone that's ever used all the versions of windows has something querky to say about each one but that's just the way it is. No one can produce a "Perfect" Operating System, not right off the bat. Humanity has a long way to go before our Brain Capacity will be evolved enough to be the best at everything. They just need to realize that no matter what technology is released the people are going to scrutinize and give there critique about. If they didn't point out places of improvement and problems, the technology would never get any better. So the past 6 years MS has been devloping Vista from Longhorn without the massive critisizm from the community that all windows users would give.
I sure hope they can pull it off. If not we all may be looking for our OS's elswhere. Who knows, maybe the search giants have something up there sleevs for the OS future. That is definately something I would love to see.
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1. No matter what steps any software company takes to protect
its software, within days the internet has hacks, modified copies
not needing keys, registration, etc. provided to defeat the
security of the software company. It is an effort in futility to
participate in this never-ending circle.
2. A consortium of hackers and software developers are working
on a program that when installed will allow Macs to run Windows
programs without any Windows OS....the Windows programs will
be run as if they were native Mac programs. There is already a
beta version that works in the developers' Mac OS version.
Soon (hopefully) MS will be on the outside looking in wishing
they had been a better business partner to the millions who use/
used their product.
For those of us gamers who only use Windows because some of
the games we wish to play are ported only in Windows versions,
this will be a true blessing, 'cause we can use our time gaming
instead of hassling with MS and their buggy software.