Windows Genuine Advantage: Genuinely Annoying

There is a Firefox extension called IE Tab that might help. The homepage for that extension is http://ietab.mozdev.org/.

What I enjoy most about the Windows Genuine Advantage validation tool, is that I have had the privilege of downloading several times on the same machine as I suspect certain Windows "security updates" have wiped out the fact that I am a superbly Advantaged Genuine Windows User already. (Just knowing that increases my self-esteem dramatically.)

This way, in the midst of some task I need to get done in a hurry I can take a few moments to relax, get a cup of coffee, celebrate a couple of birthdays, and download and install it all over again -- before I get to take a few moments to relax, get a cup of coffee, celebrate a couple of birthdays, and download whatever fix I needed from the MS website (the software company not the disease) to get my work done.

What would I do without the Windows Genuine Advantage?

Hint: Linux is running on my other computer in the spare room as I type this. -- Just thought Bill might want to know.

Sure my windows is valid, it came with laptop, but do i support microsoft to other this kind money collectors, definitely not, what microsoft is doing it is not called honest work, there are so many like that, if one get into the hands of this kind of people, one will become a slave of stupid people.
I would change to linux, but no time to learn about it.

What is everyone's problem with everything Microsoft does?

There is a problem with piracy, and this is a pretty good way to help to curb it. It takes like a minute (maybe two minutes if you have to switch to IE), so live with it.

There IS a problem with piracy; however, WGA does not stop it.

I find it most frustrating that, while I own 4 copies of Windows XP Professional, I find it easier to hack the version completely removing the Windows Genuine Advantage, than to jump through the ever increasing hoops that Microsoft puts out. I have one machine in particular, that came with Windows XP Professional SP1. It is a Dell, and as was stated before about Compaq, I seriously doubt that Dell is shipping with pirated copies of Windows. Unfortunately, every time I have to reinstall windows (and as my test machine that is about every 3 months) I have to call Microsoft to activate the program. Finlay I got sick of it, and asked my buddy for a hack. Now I run one program, and I am up and going in minutes. Talk about bad piracy control!! I own the dam thing, and would still rather hack it than beg for the right to run software I own!!

Well, I think piracy is a pretty big problem, but I don't think the solution in this case is commensurate with size of the problem (I firmly believe that Microsoft, and others, drastically overstates the percentage of pirated versions of their software that are in use, mainly to justify things like this).
Consumers who say "live with it" or something similar are nothing more than part of the problem. What problem? The problem that corporate entities feel they can do anything they want if you are using their products. It is inane for people to just live with that mentality; next thing, companies will want you to agree to have some guy come to your house and physically check to see if you have hacked their software! Live with THAT, why don't you!
Anyway, if you spend about fifty bucks for a drive imaging program, you will never need to worry about activation again. When you need to "reinstall" Windows, just restore the image and you're good to go; a much better solution than reloading from scratch.
Meanwhile we all need to VOICE, and ACT OUT our opposition to this kind of silliness. As much as possible, send complaints to customer support, and when feasible, use alternative products. If enough of us believe this can work, and we do it, we will cause change.

I find Genuine Advantage enormously entertaining: it is a full-on confession that Microsoft's "authentication key" system is a dismal failure. Microsoft has now spent almost 3 decades trying to protect itself from piracy - and continues to fail. That certainly makes ME feel safer.....

if it was not for games, i would be 100% BSD! Other than that I would be wipping my behind with WGA!

Too bad people who actually have a pirated version know better than to download things of the microsoft website. I guess Bill Gates has never heard of bit torrents b4.

Too bad people who actually have a pirated version know better than to download things of the microsoft website. I guess Bill Gates has never heard of bit torrents b4.

sure, they even created their own implementation of it called "Avalanche"

Douglas, if Linux is running on your other computer, then go use it instead and stop wasting MORE of your time complaining about something that wastes your time? Duh? Get over yourself.

Tony, how is everything Microsoft designed to take my money? I have a free internet browser (I love IE, and am using IE7 currently). I have a free Media Player (I love Windows Media Player), I have access to free Email software (Outlook Express), amongst a slew of other items for me to enjoy. Not to mention, if I have the Pro/Media Center version and a static IP, I can host my very own Web Site, free (besides Internet Access costs, obviously). So, I paid $130 for an OS. And student versions of Office are under $200 (not sure exactly the cost). So, Under $400 for software that UPDATES free, is usable for several YEARS and requires NO money to sustain besides getting new hardware as things advance. Again, how am I constantly feeding money to Microsoft? Oh, maybe it's the yearly subscription to their Firewall service, or maybe by buying games from the Games Studio. Ahhh, both of which I could have opted not to purchase. So yeah, how am I constantly feeding them money? Get over yourself, too.

Wow, looks like we got a M$ Defender over here....watch out NiX PeePs! LoL!!

"companies will want you to agree to have some guy come to your house and physically check to see if you have hacked their software!"

If a company requires that, why oh why oh why would you buy their products? We all love to trash Microsoft, but still use if not buy MS products. Even Apple needs MS Office. The reality is, MS does have the most user-friendly OS and Office to go with it.

So, if MS wants to earn the money its entitled to, what's the issue? Yes, WGA is annoying, but takes 2 min to install, and needed only for updates. The only reason people truly hate it is because they use pirated software!

MS is a "Clown Co." If I have an orig OEM WinXP disk in my hand, WHY do I need an Auth Key? If I add new/upgraded items (video, audio, NIC) only 30 days after Auth, I am told I CANNOT get a new Auth key until 120 days (use MS-but DO NOT upgrade your comp-or only upgrade when MS "allows" it). Even w/ legal OS, MS WGA checks states my OS is invalid 25% of time (while I am holding a legally purchased CD in my hand). My OS CD's only come fm D&H or TechData (both are listed as auth wholesale dist of MS OS). Will Vista have a trojan that allows MS to search the internet & disable any systems "MS thinks are pirated"?
If "James" has a static IP & hosting a site using MS, he probably will not be posting until his comp is reloaded after "hackers" remove his OS. Hopefully, James will learn that MS OS, IE, OE & Media Player broadcasts a invitation to "hackers".

If you like, like it if you dont oh well you shouldnt have brought theres no point to complain that wont do anything, this is what i hate about people how you going to complain about one product IE windows or whatever and say the companies bad how ever your using there products if you dont like them dont use nothing of theres

If you like, like it if you dont oh well you shouldnt have brought theres no point to complain that wont do anything, this is what i hate about people how you going to complain about one product IE windows or whatever and say the companies bad how ever your using there products if you dont like them dont use nothing of theres other companies use validation tools just like microsoft so who are you to complain

What should we expect from a company that 'acquired' all key pieces of their business from others through deception practices bordering on fraud. Used IBM to get into the game and took the GUI from Apple so they could make a 'Window'. Once half way pieced together they gave it to the business world at almost no cost and look at it now.

Before they're finished with the WGA rollout, they will force IE7 on every XP box seeking an update.

WGA wasn't rolled out to India, China, Africa, S. America. No WGA it was rolled it out to the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and N. America. The EU is onto their ways and it's time we wised up folks. Do you really think their 'Vista' on the world will be any better? If you do, I have this bridge over this bottom land . . . .

We need an Open Source OS that isn't a flavor of Unix or MAC and we need it now. Hey GOOGLE, you reading this???

A Google OS. Now THAT is a good idea....

Umm.. Mac IS Unix, basically.

Welcome to the Microsoft Experience - Swtich man to anything, Mac, Linux, FreeBSD whatever - you'll be gald you did

A google OS... you mean like this one: http://images.google.com/images?q=googleOS&hl=en&btnG=Search+Images

Based on Linux (sorry *nix is simply better FedUpToHere - those who do not under stand Unix are doomed to repeat it... badly)

We already have an Open Source OS that meets your requirements. GNU/Linux is not a flavor of Unix. The acronym GNU stands for GNU's Not Unix.

I would just like to let everyone know that I have no qualms about pirating Microsoft products, especially Windows (just like they had no problems stealing from Apple, Xerox, etc..)

$300 for an OS full of holes? If it wasn't for the fact that they have the only user-friendly desktop OS on the market (that runs on the PC), I wouldn't bother.

I didn't even download the tool, and I don't care about any special bullsh*t at the Windows Update Web site. I only install the critical security updates using Automatic Updates.

Validate this Microsoft. I'm using a pirated copy of Windows XP right now, but if Apple made a version of OSX for x86 systems, I?d be all over that.

People use your crap because they have no choice.

I'm glad MS cares about so much that it makes sure I have a genuine copy of windows.

^ Sarcasm

Let's see, almost 25 responses, only James likes to spend time validating valid software. Stop wasting our time and use your time to get over yourself.

Ok, James needs some meds. MS needs to stop being so greedy and bent on world domination, and make a relatively inexpensive, secure and stable OS. Then all of this would be moot. When a company builds a product that on its own merit is the best, said company will not have no problem selling the product: the consumer will buy.

I love Linux, but there could be a little bit more standarization. It?s all UNIX in one way or the other, and that?s ok. That being said I have 5 boxes at home, four running Fedora and one running Win XP (my gaming box). Until MS can make a secure and stable OS, I will only have its OS on a gaming pc. Gaming is the only thing Linux does inferior to XP. For every other task, from writing and publishing, e-mail, internet surfing, to server duties, web hosting, NAS, you name it, Linux just flat out kicks XP in the gonads!

As for the piracy issue: again stop being greedy and come up with a viable and fair deal on multiple licenses, and again piracy will be close to non existent, as most of us would do the right thing. With the current system, it would cost me over a grand to have all of my boxes on XP! I don?t think so.

Nuff said.

Re: "The only reason people truly hate it is because they use pirated software!"

ABSOLUTELY NOT!!

ALL of our software in this home is strictly legit. Bought and installed by me. Two desktops and 3 laptops, all running XP SP2.

I've had too many system rebuilds from faulty Microsft installations and OS degradation. I don't trust Microsoft's competence with Genuine Advantage because I have reason not to.

- Phil

Anant...

I'm not trashing Microsoft, I just disagree strongly with their heavy-handed approach to protecting the licensing of their software, though I agree they have a right to take steps to protect their interests.
As for why I use Microsoft products, two reasons: One because I want to, and two, because there actually is some value to me in doing so.
You ask (ignorantly) why anyone would buy products if the company could send a guy out to personally check if you have proper licensing? Well, ask any thousands of businesses who buy software from companies who are members of the BSA (look 'em up if you don't know who they are); those companies will tell you that they agree to just that sort of thing when they purchase software produced by a number of companies, including Microsoft. My question (and my worry) is that if we, as retail consumers, roll over for WGA and other, similar initiatives, we are not far from being forced to submit to the same sort of thing in our homes. So, according to your opinion, looks like over we roll...

Finally, your generalization that everyone complaning about this uses pirated software and that everyone "needs" MS Office, are not only wrong and unfair stereotypes, but they reflect a general lack of knowledge about this topic. It doesn't matter if I use pirated software or not; what matters is, is WGA a fair and effective way to deal with it? The bulk of comments just in this little forum indicate that it is not.

I am also a Microsoft Defender. WGA isnt a problem for me as I only use Internet Explorer to surf the Internet. And don't get me wrong...security isn't a problem for me, either.

I use Windows for two reasons: Compatibility (games) and ease of instalation (both the OS and other software). I like XP for both those reasons. I have a 2 legit licences. I still am annoyed by product activation (I worry that MS will use it to try to force upgrades thus I have cracks on a DVD just in case), I am disgusted by WGA (One can like Windows and still think MS is a crappy company with lousy practices)

no ones gona hack me OR you while you look at porn in your 1 bedroom apartment. stop complaining. make more money and buy 2 computers, XP and OS X and shut the F*U*C*K up people.

"Tony, how is everything Microsoft designed to take my money? I have a free internet browser (I love IE, and am using IE7 currently). I have a free Media Player (I love Windows Media Player), I have access to free Email software (Outlook Express), amongst a slew of other items for me to enjoy. Not to mention, if I have the Pro/Media Center version and a static IP, I can host my very own Web Site, free (besides Internet Access costs, obviously). So, I paid $130 for an OS. And student versions of Office are under $200 (not sure exactly the cost). So, Under $400 for software that UPDATES free, is usable for several YEARS and requires NO money to sustain besides getting new hardware as things advance. Again, how am I constantly feeding money to Microsoft? Oh, maybe it's the yearly subscription to their Firewall service, or maybe by buying games from the Games Studio. Ahhh, both of which I could have opted not to purchase. So yeah, how am I constantly feeding them money? Get over yourself, too."

With Linux I have a free web browser, FF 1.5.0.2, a variety of free media players because none do everything, free email, Thunderbird, I have a static IP, so I have a free server, and I get free updates. I paid $0.15 for the OS (5 blank CDs), and the office suite is free.

I was Geninously Windows Advantage validated and didn't even get a t-shirt.
I want my tshirt!

James & sdfsdfs, All the 'wonderfrul' free MS products are forced on you when you buy Windows. Remember? Media Player & IE are both high security risks and forget Outlook and Outlook Express, neither of which has worked on desk top system since day one. Have you ever called Microsoft support?
I have used MS Office Professional for years ($$$) but I have now downloaded Open Office.
I guess I will be learning linux now.
I don't like the idea of Microsoft punishing the people who buy the legimate copies, because they catch the people using pirated software.

I have a solution to fix this problem

Install linux - any distro - suse,ubuntu,fedora core,centos, and madriva

any of them and this problem will go away

people you better get use to this kind of treatment it is only going to get worse with vista,drm and trusted computing.

no thanks for me - I will stick with linux - but you all have fun.

One Word.
Linux.

Microsofts next sales slogan for Vista!
"Where will we let you go today"!
Best os ever to create hardware sales!, And they have made deals to not allow legacy hardware drivers from the oem's to make sure the followers stay in the upgrade cycle. There will not be anything done without oem serials, keys, and tcp/drm hardware compliancy. So it will not be YOUR computer, it will be theirs to let you use.
Tony I wish I had all the money you "feed" to M$ and all that antivirus junk, it would buy a very nice M$ tax free computer loaded with what else, Linux!

"With Linux I have a free web browser, FF 1.5.0.2, a variety of free media players because none do everything, free email, Thunderbird, I have a static IP, so I have a free server, and I get free updates. I paid $0.15 for the OS (5 blank CDs), and the office suite is free."

That was an expensive OS then! You can order a copy of Ubuntu and they'll even send you the disks for free! :-)

I have my genuine paid for XP disk too. However when people start telling me what I can (and can't do) with something I own (and I do own it despite them trying to say otherwise) then that's the time to move on. As James Susanka said, you can have your vista, drm, trusted computing, your guilt before you've proved yourself innocent treatment..., I'll stick with Linux too and keep my freedom, my value in knowing that I don't have to phone up and prove that I'm an honesty guy, and my ability to do what I want with my OS that cost me nowt and came with every bit of software I need,

Buy your Windows XP today, The Swiss Cheese of Operating Systems !!!

hehehe......too funny. As usual, differing viewpoints on the most hated company in the world. I wonder if Microsoft ever reads any of these things? :) Ah well....the comedy value ALONE is worth the read.
Maybe I'll try LINUX some day.........

Here's an idea. If you are making a conscious decision to use Microsoft products, stop whining about them! Just accept the fact that the company is out to control your computer via DRM/TCPA and move on.

If on the other hand, you value freedom, innovation, and privacy, buy a book (if needed) and learn how to use a free (as in speech) OS like Free/Open BSD or GNU/Linux.

Either empower yourself, or accept your role as a slave.

Enough crying...

I have one computer running win98 and Norton, one computer running XP and Norton and one running Ubuntu Linux. The XP box wants me to renew my Norton subscription. Should I renew my Norton or load Ubuntu onto the XP box? Window with Norton or Ubuntu without. Tough question.

i also get a non valid response about 25% of the time try to validate .I recon i should call gateway and tell them they screwed me,and want money back.realy dont think they would sell stollen software so wga is just another microsoft product thats full of holls i cant get them to help fix a browser problem cause of this.so im going else were and bill can put xp up his billion aire a**

At least WGA is not as bad as what some game company done to protect their product from piracy (like ubisoft).

Imagine if u have to put your original windows CD everytime you wanna start up your windows, and it will refuse to start if u have a certain monitor or mouse that commonly used in pirate's machine. (like starforce protection system does)

At least i don't think microsoft will be at your door 5 min after u see the message like RIAA did for now.

btw, I am using legal copy of windows, so no need to chase me down

I want to go back to Win 3.1...at least I knew what i was getting..

I have a copy of 3.11 somewhere on 3.5" floppies ... with the licence. Want it? LOL

(Yeah, last fall I loaded it up on a VM with a P4 3.2GHz just to see if 3.1 would even boot. It did. But there were [predictably] no drivers for a lot of the hardware, so no networking and such.)

Best way to reduce piracy: LOWER YOUR PRICE, MS!!!
That goes for the music industry too.

Now, giving credit to Microsoft, they do have quite a burden on their shoulders. When you bully everyone into using your software, people take notice. When you're the leader, everyone takes notice. One of the main reasons why Linux appears to be so secure is it's not a mainstream OS yet. As MS begins to lose popularity, and the digital world gets a little smarter, security vulnerabilities will start to crop up in Linux.

I do NOT support this Validation attempt, however. I paid good money for the software I use. I shouldn't have to prove that I own it everytime I want to do anything with it. This would be like having to take your title with you to get your oil changed... except 25% of the time, the clerk can't read the title. I'm going to throw out an interesting phrase here.

Microsoft is just driving another nail in the coffin. RIP Bill.

I've never had a problem with the validation software. The activation stuff was a mess. Why don't many people switch? I dunno. I guess I am just willing to put up with some stuff to do what I want.

This is a free world. Nobody is FORCING people to use windows. People just put up with it.

If we need to get on somebody's case, get on the people who put up with it.

Who doesn't take whatever they can get? Like tech support in India. As long as Uncle Sam allows companies to pay foreigners pennies on the dollar, why shouldn't they save money? They are a business. If you don't like it, make your opinion known with your vote and your pocketbook.

Microsoft....A lot of people has voiced their opinions. Each one of them has a valid point but since we are talking about valid why not listen to an alternative solution. As an IT person, it is very costly to manage your software. WGA is a band aid fix. Why not strike at the heart of piracy and listen to your users. When we purchase for our home, we want a site license. We don't want to lease your software. We don't want to worry about OEM versus Retail. When we are at work, we don't want you invading our networks with mindless stuff like WGA. If you have a patch, give it to me. It's not my fault there is piracy. Steeling has been a problem for thousands of years. Therefore, make your software more flexible in its environment like the questions above. If I want to sell my old copy of Windows....I should be able to. It's a purchase not a lease. If you want it to be a lease, let?s negotiate the terms and agreement like a car dealer. Lock down on sellers and restrict sales to dealers. Make people negotiate terms if you want software leased. My suggestions above are an alternative to the mainstream.

Linux, Linux needs to be hardware versatile. It won't be mainstream until it deals with the hardware issues.

I found linux to be very confusing (knoppix, to be precise). I couldn't figure out how to install anything. It took me about 10 minutes of playing with Linux before I needed to do something....and then went back to Windows. Windows, even with it's problems, is still the best OS out there.

Ladiesman, I admire your Linux attempt, but Knoppix live cd/dvd is advanced to say the least. It is a very powerful cd that can do what Windoze will never do that was designed to fix machines with many the many tools included
I would get Kanotix,the book O'Riellys on Knoppix, and maybe someone like me or a users group to help out. One more thing use http://klik.atekon.de for installing software while running cd live, amount depends on ram size. I use Kanotix on a laptop without a harddrive using a usb key with saved email,desktop and package config. to boot up every time automatically. just some help from the helpful linux community.

Kanotix rocks!!!!!!!

install Kanotix need help go to the friendly support group at irc.freenode.net #kanotix , where the developers hang out and happily help you.

try linux specially Kanotix you wont be disapointed.

about windows i just disable the ability to do updates
and if a customer calls me telling me hes getting a ballon telling him he's got a fake copy of windows i do a system restore and tell him not to do updates till further notice.

also check out "the pirates bay" for cracks on this, install azureus first so you can download the torrents, if you dont know what a torrent is google, learn...microsoft will eat you alive in a couple of years,im still using windows cause i need it for quick books , but if someone knows of an application like that i can run on linux let me know please.

tux rules!!!!!

Could this "pre-release" version of WGA be Microsoft's reponse to recently losing a patent infringement lawsuit on the activation technology and being found liable for at least $115M in damages?

TUXOR, We run a business on MyBooks Pro from Appgen.com on Mandriva 06. Does everything QB does for 1/4 the price and much easier. Give the trial a run, this is a breeze for someone with QB know how.

If you're fed up with MS and their updates and WGA, help support ReactOS, a Legitimate,Open Source, binary compatible Windows Clone.
I've posted this before, in a different place a few weeks ago, before WGA was pushed out, but I'll briefly repeat what I can remember. I am a MS OEM System Builder, so I say this from my experience building custom PC's for customers. Linux is good. I usually suggest aLinux when I build a system, but many people just don't get how to unzip tarballs and install rpms, they want compatibility with their existing stuff, and they want to be able to buy cheap software at Wal-Mart. They don't like that to have Genuine Windows I have to jump the price of the PC, but they pay it. I don't like the price I pay for Genuine Windows either. They don't like that almost every time they turn on their PC "Updates are Available/Ready" and restart. When people turn on their pc they want to work(or play) they don't want to install updates.
Did you know, Windows XP Home happens to be the exact same as Windows XP Pro. I can already hear "Your Wrong" but wait...If you take your WinXP disk, there is a particular file that you import into your registry, change two bits of data in the file, recreate your windows disk, and BOOM XP Home instantly installs XP Pro, minus IIS, yet, MS expects you to pay (on average) $100 more for Pro, and you won't miss IIS on Pro, because it is limited to only 10 connections on your server (go for Apache) -- same as WinMCE. WGA? I have very little support for this at all, and it's not because I'm running illegal Windows.
About MS and their $$ schemes? First, go look at how many versions of Vista there will be. 2of them for designed for Home use. Why is that? One of them is severely limited in it's capabilities. If you want more capabilities you upgrade (pay even more). That's how MS works. WinXPPro has IIS, with limited connections. You want more? From MS you MUST upgrade to server 2003 (pay even more). That is the strategy and has been for years. An excellent product is one that gives people mostly what they want, but keeps them wanting the next best thing. MS hasn't changed their view on this and the only way to force them to change is give them competition -- ReactOS.

Ken - Apple doesnt make OSX for x86...but someone else has. Look around.

ROSSupporter is exactly correct. If you don't believe the scheme, take a look at the Xbox 360. There are a variety of packages and subscriptions, each one $100 more than the previous. Paid subscriptions merely to play $60 games online? Consoles have always been the stronghold of true computer-electronics ownership. Now even that is taken away, depending on which game you buy and how badly you want to play online.

Don't forget to spend the extra $15 on the wireless controller! they should have parodied their own tactics and offered a controller for $10 more than a regular one with absolutely no difference except the paint scheme.

Actually, there hasn't been a new piece of software out in a year that I really appreciated. the latest messenger program versions, in a 5-years-too-late effort to copy the XP look and feel, are bulky, memory hungry, and stupid looking. I'd rather have functionality than have every button 100x100 pixels.

But I digress. everything I need my computer for right now works how I want it to. I will keep this machine and run my pirated copy of XP on it (you better believe I removed that little notification taskbar tool in about 10 seconds). Until using the internet requires possession of one of these you-dont-really-own-it machines running trusted computing crap, I will use this machine, thank you very much.

I'll close by mentioning I'm proof that WGA doesn't actually do anything in regard to piracy. If your copy is illegal, you get a 16x16 system tray icon and a notification on startup. Effective piracy stopping tools would do more than that. Boo-hoo, I can't get any updates except critical ones. At least I have the satisfaction of knowing that all told I've cheated the company out of many thousands of dollars that are arguably not rightfully theirs anyway.

There is reality and the make-believe world that most live in. The reality of the real world is this. There is nothing that any company on the face of this earth can do to prevent piracy. Microsoft can spend millions and have their best brains try to secure their products, but they are doomed to failure. Now, we will enter the cat and mouse game of the idiots at MS spending their time and money trying to overcome any cracks to windows genuine advantage which are created for each of their failed attempts to prevent them.

Does any one no a crack to the new WGA tool that MS has recently released? I have tried installing the WGA tool with a valid version of windows but it still comes up with the message "This version of windows is not valid."

What I object to is the tone of the message from Microsoft when I try and update my spyware program. It is saying there is something wrong with me and my computer and it is all my fault. I was able to work out the gobledegook fairly quickly, but my neighbour, for example, would have thrown a wobbly and be down at PC World spending lots of cash to get it "fixed".

Why can't they say something like "We are very sorry, but we now need to check that the software on your computer is not pirated. Would you kindly visit this website ..."?

Seriously, complaining about WGA not working in Firefox is like complaining about Firefox extensions not working in IE. They are somewhat on the same level; applications designed to work with a specific browser.

I really don't see how WGA is such a burden as it has no interaction aside from downloading it which takes only a second or two on cable.

I am running a legitimate copy of windows on a Packard Bell Pc using a company XP licence, and its telling me its invalid ? Is that because they want another ?90 out of us per PC, or because its easier to shoot first and ask questions later. There isnt even anywhere for me to put my product key (on the side of the machine) for them to tell me "why" they have deemed it to be illegal. Completely ridiculous. Of course, ive run pirated copies at home before, but if you turn off the updates (and lets face it, theyre sh1te anyway) then you get away with it scot free ? Microsoft should have thought about this a bit more i think, rather than just hounding everyone who attempts to use WGA. Do they really think i would have installed the update if i had a dodgy copy ? theyre obviously stupider than i thought.

Ouch

I heard that if valid keys start wandering around the internet they become invalid.

"I really don't see how WGA is such a burden..."

You haven't had a perfectly legal copy of XP declared illegitimate.

Of curse MS sole purpose for existance is to make money for the stockholders (primarily Bill Gates). That is true of most any business. Individuals may give to charity and espouse social causes but a BUSINESS exists only to put money in the individual's pocket regardless of whether the money comes from hourly wages, salaries, dividends or megabonuses to the CEO. And that is how it should be.

I'm not a big fan of big government but the monopoly MS has on the OS market for PCs would make the robber barrons of old jealous, something like 90% of residential and small business and closer to 95% of large business. Once you've set up hundreds of servers and thousands of hosts and megabux of generic and custom apps using Windows it becomes prohibitively expensive to change.

At the other end of the spectrum, Joe average residential user MIGHT be coaxed into an Apple - but only if it looked and felt just like Windows. He hasn't the time nor the inclination to learn another gui OS and associated apps, let alone something completely different like Linux.

Like it or not MS is going to rule the roost for a while yet. We can take comfort in the belief that the hubris displayed by MS in things like WGA leaves the door open to alternatives, although for practical reasons they aren't likely to reach critical mass of installed systems for a long time unless MS really blows their game.

Hey, next time you have to call M$ to get a new key or whatever, or you have to spend 20 minutes screwing with WGA, send them a bill! Say, $25 an hour for 4 hour minimum? And then if they don't pay it, turn it over to collections. Is your time worth money? Mine is...

Every single person in here needs to stop crying about the WGA tool.

All this "oh life is so difficult every time i reinstall windows" and "I have to reinstall 10 time a week" is bulls**t. If you have to reinstall windows it is because you have f*cked it up. Simple.

Sure windows is far more likely to get hacked then a *nix platform, largely because people like my mum use windows, where as only tech savvy people use the *nix's, besides if you wanted to upset people would you write a virus aimed at 5% or 95% of the population?

Get over yourselves. Microsoft is in the business of making money. Surprise Surprise, have you any idea how many man hours went into producing XP? Hell if i spent that I?d want to see some decent return.

All you MS haters go play with Linux, if it doesn?t do EVERY single last thing you want then shut up and accept that if you want to use an MS product they have a right to protect their investment.

Car manufacturers make it damn hard to steal a car, maybe you want to rant about those pesky locks and demand everyone take the bus everywhere?

Oh and for the record, I've been running XP for near on 3 years straight without a single reinstall. I run a good firewall and scan for viruses on a regular basis (which I hardly every have because you set your computer up right and it?s safe as a vault). I?ve run Linux machines before and can honestly say I have NEVER gone that long without a reinstall or at least rebuilding the damn kernel.

Bottom line, live with the problem or live without Windows.

Genuine Advantage to Microsoft. Total Disadvantage to the rest.
If Ian Flemming was around he might well have made Bill Gates his next Bond nemisis

I support 100s of PCs as a LAN IT professional.
After having to watch the horribly slow process of windows genuine advantage having to download, install and certify a PC for the 3rd, 4th or even 5th time, I have to wonder how much my clients are paying me to maintain this "feature". Is WGA another MS work-in-progress? Does my genuine-ness expire after a few weeks? Do the clowns at MS understand the concept of TCO - total cost of ownership - when a corporation pays for PC maintenance?

m$oft trading at a 3 yr low + gen advantage shenanigans showing their true desperation.

People ARE going elsewhere, that's the bottom line alright

i was recently found to be "non-genuine". i dont know a whole lot of this area and read most of this to learn, but i have been experiencing a lot of computer problems which i finally broke down and took my tower into a pro for advice...he said they insalled a bug so to speak because of my non-genuine windows copy (which it is in fact genuine) does that sound like anything u guys have ever heard of? i was told to validate or buy a new windows key and all my problems would be fixed... thanks for any info

Yeah yeah, bla bla bla. We've heard all this before. I will do what they need me to, after all, I need them (no one else to rely on). I guess my validation isn't there concern or else I would be able to. I bought Win XP Pro just yesterday and now I'm no longer valid. Go figure now I have to go throught the loops to get my updates. screw those guys! I'm going back to Redhat!

I have a different problem with it. After getting the notifier in my system updates, my PC - with it's totally legal copy of XP that came from HP with it - became unusable - everything just incredibly sluggish, apps taking minutes to launch, etc. I used system restore to get rid of the little beast and now things are fine.

I have no problem with MS trying to prevent piracy, but I have a big problem with them pushing out "system updates" that screw up my PC this way.

Maybe I should go back to my Mac.

If Oblivion, Rome Total War, Mafia, Half-life and Civilisation4 ran on Linux I wouldn't even touch Windows. I suspect a lot of people in homes around the world would say the same.

"I really don't see how WGA is such a burden as it has no interaction aside from downloading it which takes only a second or two on cable."

So why is it now trying to access the internet everytime I boot up? Every day this week so far. Thank goodness for Zone Alarm.

Look here is the stupidity behind it, if you intentionally installed an illegitimate copy of XP on your computer, you probably have the know how to work around the fact that microsoft has a WGA update and you probably wouldn't install the WGA update, so who is microsoft really helping/hurting here? mostly people who unwittingly have an illegitimate copy of XP on their computer, right? I know the difference between software that is useful and software that hijacks your system, and i have complete disdain for software manufacturers of the latter. WGA is definitely and most certainly hijacking my system and the funny part about is i actually have a legitimate COA but, i bought this computer used and obviously the clown that owned it last neglected to tell me that a pirated copy of XP was installed on it. So thanks a lot microsoft for actually NOT wasting my time as this was a valuable lesson from a legitimate customer and helping me to realize that you really aren't after my best interests, just your pocketbook. If anyone from microsoft is monitoring these posting ask "your"self this, is this going to improve our image to the (unwitting)"pirates" or not? and Bill i think ........... some one is knocking at my door !!! its the cops gotta run......

Here's the bottom line: Microsoft has deliberately built holes in every Windows. These holes allow industries to spring up to "fix" them. These industries employ people. These people buy Microsoft. It's just like the sham of "caregiving" being perpetrated on us by the medical community. And anyone dim enough to support it probably uses every pharmaceutical advertised on TV, too.

Here's the fix. Keep one machine or hard drive with a genuine XP Pro OEM installation (VLK if you have it) and use Update to see what releases are offered. Then, use the Windows and Office download sites to DOWNLOAD those, not install them. Either install them one by one each time you install a new XP, or look around for HFSlip and build your own Windows Install/repair boot CD.

By the way, anyone claiming to be running the same XP for 3 years is probably also into S&M. That would be roughly equivalent to nailing your own feet to the floor when you get up each morning. And...somewhere back there, the truth was posted. Why are there no Linux problems? Because no one uses it, relatively speaking. No growth industry potential. So, don't feel safe and superior, feel alone and ignored!

The problem with software companies is this: they PUNISH the LEGITIMATE users with their latest intrusive, annoying anti-piracy checks. The pirates on the other hand use cracked versions of the same software that excludes these checks. This makes it tempting to find a cracked version of a game or software even if you own a legit copy, just so you don't have to put the CD in the drive to use the software/validate online/etc.

....um yea, Windows sucks. Screw that WGA crap...You should all just give me your valid copies of windows with their annoying WGA requirements and switch to linux. Just send your address to kmschultz2004 (at) yahoo (dot) com and I'll sase for your unwanted windows licenses... :)

What if you have a pc which is a compaq and came with windows pre-installed with a key used on thousands of factory installed machines by way of an image and you now turn on your pc to the message that you have pirate software and the benifit of a pop up on the hour every hour reminding you to again purchase a piece of software which you already own a license too
NICE ONE BILL great to see a lot of thought went into the GWA inplementation on oem systems or are you leaving the headacheof sorting it out to the likes of dell, compaq ,hewlett packard, etc to sort out your missgivings?

Fuck Bill. He has enough money.

I used Windows update while helping a person with limited vision. He had a second-handcomputer and we were notified that it was not genuine and could no longer get updates.

Now, the poor guy is plagued by popups on the hour and he has to find the pop-up because he uses a screen zoomed ten times regular size.

Any suggestion: fluffyx@aol.com

Can anybody please tell me what's the ADVANTAGE of this tool for me as a legal Windows user, as the name suggests??

I have a solution for everybody,
POO!

There is no advantage to the user in Windos Gencuine Advantage. I would like to charge Microsoft for my time (this last effort took over six hours) to get WGA working on my Sony computer running the original XP Home that came with it. The original WGA downloaded with some difficulty. Was simpler once I returned to IE. The secaond version crashed on loading, which sends a message that your software is not "genuine" though MS does not tell you this. the third version would not load without a work around involving download to the desktop. It does not show in the list of installed software, but now seems to work. Also seems to circumvent your computer. I am getting auto downloads, despite turning them off. I prefer to use the custom setting. Found they had already downloaded things without my consent. On this third version, Zone Alarm detected WGA tries to go out to the internet everytime I start my computer. One of the many reasons I hate Microsoft and the other crap Bill Gates has foisted on us.

Is c-r-a-p a bad word? If so, I am sorry. I do not like it replaced with four astrisks as it implies even worse four-letter words. It was intended to convey my frustrations garnered from years of experience watching Microsoft create more bloatware and harass their customer base. I look forwared to Google and online services replacing this so-called operating system. I have MS Office (legal version) on a computer and suggest to others they try Open Office as a compatible (and free) software package compatible with Office in many ways. There is no reason to put up with more grief. When will Microsoft do something for their customers besides making it more difficult to use their products?

You know what I find most amusing about 'wga'? Is it's almost a full 1mb download (nothing to us high speed users, but for dial up.. better prepare an outing for the event.) And almost every month, they release a new "version" of wga, and force you to download it, again, and again, and again.. ENOUGH ALREADY! In total since this god forsaken excuse for a program was released i've downloaded over 20mb of wga. It does NOTHING for me.. I don't feel any more advantaged than I did before.. in fact, i feel less advantaged having to do what they say.

So i commend to you all, pirate fucking windows! Do it, don't activate.. go out, download it.. get them madder. Maybe one day when they figure out that drm only harms the honest users. You can get cracks on IRC, search for them on ircspy [dot] com. Don't reply to this saying pirating is bad, Microsoft is bad.. pirating Windows is good.

Finally a group of people who recognize Microsoft for what they are. A true full blown rip off artist who gives it to people on a regular basis. The people it gives it to? The legitimate consumers of Microsoft products. All the hackers and pirates walk away with their free working software with a big middle finger pointed at Microsoft

It seems like every other mandatory windows update is wga which wastes my time. Also I'd like to point out that ie7 is shit. I tired it and went back to ie6 in about 5 minutes

Reminds me of a M*A*S*H DVD I bought. Every time we go to watch an episode the damn thing presents a 10 seconds piracy warning telling us we must not make a copy of it. The function to skip the warning has been disabled. Since I do not wish to waste time viewing this warning I was forced to make a copy of the DVD with the skip function enabled. Ironic.
These features ONLY inconvenience honest people.

WGA is doubtfully OK. But even then, isn't WPA enough? It's not as if Microsoft software doesn't check every time one boots already - because it does. Now WGA is checking everytime one visits Microsoft.

WGA Notifications, on the other hand, is outright spyware and a trojan. It is spyware because is snitches all manner of information about you. It is a trojan because it alters the behaviour of your computer according to the whims of Microsoft.

Basically it should be illegal - and probably is in some parts.