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Posts with tag windows-genuine-advantage

Microsoft updates Windows XP Pro anti-piracy tool

Posted Aug 27th 2008 5:00PM by Brad Linder
Filed under: Windows, Microsoft

Windows XP Pro WGA
Microsoft is starting to roll out a new version of its Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) software for Windows XP Pro, which the company describes as the "most pirated edition of Windows XP." WGA is the software Microsoft uses to detect versions of Windows using fake or stolen license keys.

If you're running Windows XP Pro, you'll probably receive the new version through Windows Update soon. If you just can't wait to find out if your operating system passes the test, you can also visit the direct download page.

The new version of WGA will work much like the anti-piracy software implemented in Windows Vista. Your PC will not be immediately disabled if it fails the WGA check. Rather when you login you'll see a black desktop background instead of your background of choice. You can change the background, but every 60 minutes it will reset itself to black.

There will also be a warning notice that you cannot make go away unless you enter a valid Windows license key.

[via ZDNet]

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Vista SP1 alters WGA behavior

Posted Feb 10th 2008 2:00PM by Brad Linder
Filed under: OS Updates, Windows, Microsoft

Vista SP1 WGA nag window
Microsoft has a long history of including cumbersome anti-piracy measures in its software. So we were pretty happy to hear that the company is scaling back the Windows Genuine Advantage protection Windows Vista SP1. No longer will you find features like ReadyBoost of Aero disabled if you haven't activated Windows or if you fail a WGA test when trying to download Microsoft software.

But that doesn't mean WGA is gone. ZDNet reports that the new WGA may be less forceful, but it could be almost as annoying. Instead of logging you off or disabling services, Windows Vista SP1 will present you with a nag screen every time you logon. It will also show a pop up window periodically asking you to validate Windows. And once an hour it will change your desktop background to black. You can change it to something else, but since it'll just reset in an hour, you're probably best off learning to love a black background.

Or, you know, you could just validate your copy of Windows.
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Microsoft: download IE7 without WGA validation

Posted Oct 4th 2007 4:00PM by Brad Linder
Filed under: Microsoft, Browser Tips

IE7Microsoft has released an updated version of Internet Explorer with a few minor changes. For example the menu bar is now visible without any user interaction needed. Oh yeah, and you don't need Windows Genuine Advantage validation to download the software.

Wait, what? That's right, first Microsoft goes and starts selling songs without DRM, and now the company's giving away a flagship program without requiring proof that you paid for your copy of Windows. You'd think the company actually wants people to download stuff.

The move makes some sense. If Microsoft wants to maintain its market leader position, the company might have to reach out to people using unofficial copies of Windows. After all, by Microsoft's own estimates, that could be 35% of all Windows users.

Windows XP users will be able to download Internet Explorer 7 through Windows Update or from Microsoft's IE7 home page.

[via All about Microsoft]
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