Microsoft released a new version of Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications on Tuesday and detailed how to remove the controversial antipiracy software.
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 email 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 behaviour 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 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.







Talkback
Too late Microsoft! I've switched to Linux and am doing very nicely with an OS that was quicker to install and is quicker to run.
Your attitude is alienating people. People who can and do spread the word about better alternatives.
I'm still not happy.
Firstly, I have a legitimate copy of Windows and I still do not like being checked out every month.
Secondly, I am proposing to change my hard drive, the serial number of which is included in the information sent to M$ every month. What will happen when I change the hard drive?
I have other concerns about the developping Big Brother situation and the part played by unaccountable and unelected commercial organisations in shaping, controlling and policing our future.
This is one of the oldest tricks going...try and get away with scheme a, then when people complain 'improve it' and 'respond' to scheme b whereas in fact scheme b was what you wanted all along. It is insulting that they think we can be hoodwinked like this.
I have XP on a 20 gig drive that I hook up by itself to play games. Yesterday I had to re-install and when the WGA was downloaded with the updates, I did not install it. After I turned the unit off and restarted it, I got a blue screen saying it wouldn't boot, it might damage the computer. Coincidence? Maybe.
The price of XP is incredibly high - if all you want to do is run an old PC as a webcam-based security system for example. Surely Microsoft could provide a "bare bones" version of XP for $50 or so?
If not, I hope that the arrogant bully boy tactics MS are employing means that Linux takes off in a big way.
Became a Linux user, will remain a Linux user. Took a little time to get used to and have realised just how second rate MS is by comparison......no wonder MS is given away in schools and around the world. But then again not every one is resistent to trying some thing new, my kids certainly prefer it. However they get no choice in school. Talk about market dominence and choking any competition.
I run 2 computers with 2 fully licensed Windows XP Pro SP2.
Yet, Microsoft's workaround will not remove its latest spyware parading under the WGA misnomer.
I will follow the pregression of the latest lawsuit against Microsoft.
Here is part of the 26 different E-mails I have exchanged, to no avail, with Microsoft Support:
"Microsoft Update seems determined to deny legitimate and licensed users unfettered access to updates unless these legitimate users agree to multiple ethical and law skirting abuses by Microsoft Update.
Legitimate licensed users are now forced to agree to a nebulous Supplemental Agreement which is nothing but a unilateral Microsoft revision of the original EULA if they wish to download ANY Microsoft update.
Legitimate licensed users must now agree to let Microsoft violate their privacy
Let no spin prevaricator tell you otherwise: the Notification tool included in Microsoft's WGA to surreptitiously monitor user's computer operations is spyware by anyone's definition.
I have many OEM copies running, and a few "genuine" boxed copies of XP pro. NONE of them have passed validation. If Windows was more like $50 or $70 per copy, more people would be glad to purchase a copy. But $200 - 350 is OUTRAGEOUS. Linux is FREE, and if my familly wasn't all stuck on Windows, you can bet I'd change immediately. I'm the family tech support, so I need to be using what they use to help them. Microsoft makes too much money. I'd run a pirated copy if I knew how!!!
Simple solution. Stop being the family tech until they run what gives you your personal life back. Otherwise you'll end up supporting their friends, families, friends, neighbours and what not as well. Heck, I couldn't even go to a birthday or someone would say: "Say, aren't you the gut that...?" But, teaching them how to fish rather then to give them fish worked for me. Either way.
i use a pirated copy of windows if microsoft wants to be a bunch of dicks, screw them im not paying 300$ just so i can get useless updates. if its not broken dont fix it and my computer works just fine without microsofts buggy updates