Scot Finnie Today’s Top Stories
or Other Windows Stories Posted on 08/01/2006 8:47:10 AM PDT by BJClinton
It's not easy to remove Microsoft's anti-piracy program, but it can be done
Scot Finnie Today’s Top Stories or Other Windows Stories
July 30, 2006 (Computerworld) -- Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) software is installed on computers running Windows XP via Microsoft's online update services. For most XP users, that means Automatic Updates, which Microsoft has worked very hard since Windows XP SP2 to make us run in full-automatic mode. WGA has already appeared in several beta versions, with slightly different behaviors, and Microsoft appears to be still actively developing this tool. For many people, the fact that the software giant delivers WGA as a security update is another strong note of insincerity. Microsoft may kid itself into believing that WGA has some sort of security aspect, but many knowledgeable computer users aren't buying that.
When WGA detects a problem, it lets you keep running Windows, periodically popping up nag screens informing you that your Microsoft software may be counterfeit. If this happens to you, you should pursue the process that WGA presents; it may provide you with information that will help you rectify the problem.
For example, in my tests I was able to make the WGA "counterfeit" warning appear by changing the date of the system clock one month later. The Web-based WGA program was able to determine that was the problem and it suggested I reset the system date. When I did that, the WGA warnings disappeared. While most WGA detections don't resolve that easily, it can't hurt you to learn as much as you can about why WGA believes your copy of Windows or Microsoft Office may be illegitimate.
With nag screens the extent of the negative effect, WGA doesn't have much of a bite -- for now. But might that change in the future? Microsoft has said it won't "turn off" illegitimate copies of Windows. But could the software giant be interpreting that literally? The more likely preventive measure probably isn't turning off the computer. It's not hard to imagine that WGA might direct its predecessor, Windows Product Activation (WPA), to lock you out of your computer. When WPA kicks in, the computer boots to a login screen that doesn't let you use the computer until a valid activation code is entered. In Vista, this WPA screen links to an option that lets you buy a new copy of Windows, letting you use Internet Explorer for that purpose.
Microsoft has more than once alluded to the fact that it is reserving the right to enforce the installation of WGA on all computers, possibly sometime early this fall. WGA is built into Windows Vista, without any user option to remove it. It's simply not known how Vista's version of WGA will behave.
It is still possible to both remove WGA and to prevent it from attempting to reinstall after you have removed it.
A friend of mine has started receiving these pop-ups. It'll be interesting to see if this pushes people away from Windows.
I wonder if this article falls under the DMCA - which makes it illegal to circumvent copy-protection measures.
Unless I completely misunderstand what the author is saying, what good will it do you to reset your system clock?
Won't it screw up programs that depend on your calendar? My business uses several programs that access the calendar.
Not that I have a problem with MGA, but since most of us buy computers with software already installed, not much recourse if the software's counterfeit. Anybody who'd sell counterfeit software won't be there for problems, IMO.
I'm so happy to be Windows free.
Linux is the way to go. :)
If they can force you to install their monitoring software, how do we know that the NSA won't force them to install something?
Windows Genuine Advantage:
What it is:
Microsoft spyware
how to ditch it (thanks to PC World):
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
WGA from activating when you turn your PC on, and permanently removes
it.
Version: unnumbered
Price: Free
Download RemoveWGA now at:
http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,63975;order,1;page,1;c,All%20Downloads/description.html?tk=nl_hsxdwn
For that reason alone,It'll be a snowy day in July when I install *that* particular spyware program.
Here's one way, of many: Kubuntu
Thanks for the link.
I KNOW that my XP is genuine.
If MS wants to prove that it isn't, they can come to my house for a cup of coffee and we'll talk a bit. 'Nuff said.
I dunno, I left my tinfoil hat at home.
A more realistic scenario and one that appears to be happening frequently is a legitmate copy of windows is saying it's counterfeit. You call Mocrosoft (HA!) and they tell you to either call the retailer or buy a new copy. The retailer tells you it's legit, call Microsoft.
So there you are, out several frustrating hours of time and a few hundred bucks with no working OS. So what do you do? Either fork over more money to M$ and pray it works this time or turn to piracy to get your money's worth.
Micro$oft may be creating eProhibition.
Just makes sure you disable windows automatic update so it does not reinstall itself. Use manual updates and then choose "custom" and uncheck the WGA update every time you run Windows update.
To remove it..for now anyway.
go to http://www.sysinternals.com/utilities/autoruns.html
download and run autoruns.
Go to the winlogon tab, and uncheck WgaLogon. Reboot.
I had one machine that false positived and that took care of it.
Thank you sir.
For all the techies out there, here's a free alternative to Windows Update (and patch management in general). The link is an e-newsletter called Windows Secrets Newsletter By Brian Livingston (pretty well known). In this issue, Brain, discusses NetChk Protect by Shavlik Technologies and how to get it for free. I've used it and it works well but it's meant for techies...
http://windowssecrets.com/comp/060713/
You can also read the other issues which go into this whole sorted affair...
My pleasure. Be sure to disable Windows Automatic Update or WGA will just reinstall itself. Then, either start using manual updates->Custom and uncheck the WGA update under "High Priority" updates each time you run Windows Update. Or, you can start using the solution I posted about Shavlik Technologies NetChk Protect.
/rant
I was one of those Microsoft defenders for decades. But this stunt violated my trust in them forever. They went against their own stated policies and lied about it when they were caught. WGA meets every definition of spyware and Microsoft should be made to pay a high price for such dishonest, sneaky behavior. /end rant
Awesome info! Thanks!
This doesn't happen with Tiger. :-)
bookmark
I had done that but Mrs. BJC ran update when an alert popped-up. I'm leaving it on the family box in the den just to see what happens.
For Microsoft, the crappy "security" of Windows is a feature, not a bug. The resulting need for frequent security updates opens a channel that can be leveraged for other purposes (e.g. installing DRM that effectively converts bought-once media into pay-per-view media).
If you haven't received the NAG screen warning you that your copy is invalid (it has a bug that often misidentifies genuine legal OEM copies as invalid) then all it will do is keep phoning home to Msoft as often as they decide with whatever info they decide they want to know about your PC. The information and frequency is totally changeable by Microsoft AT WILL. To stop some of the complaints they recently changed the "phone home" time to a longer duration.
Oh, to make it worse, Microsoft says this "High Priority" Update is still BETA!!!!
Netcraft confirms it: BSD is dying
=]
Yeah... I run PCLinuxOS here w/KDE.
That makes three of you. Pretty soon you'll be a flock.
:)
Ping-a-ling-a-ding-dong for later.....
Heheheh... yeah, but this flock has already spent an hour being productive before you're done scanning for crap that keeps your 3.1gHz P4 running like a 386 between blue screens of death. :)
< grin > I guess you missed my tagline, eh?
duh.. yes, I did miss that. ;)
I ditched PCLinuxOS or Mepis 6 Final. :D
its on Microsodts website how to remove WGA...
Ping for later.
Oh, cool. So Microsoft gets busted for providing instructions on how to remove their own copy-protection stuff.
How Machiavellian can you get?
;->
Being a noob with Linux I'm pretty darned happy with PCLOS, what does Mepis offer you that was lacking in PCLOS? I realize that distros are geared toward the end users wants and needs, just curious how you use your system differently than I do.
My needs are basic, just pretty much a replacement for WinXP and this sure fill that bill for me. ;) I did order the free CDs from Kubuntu just to have them, might reconfig and put it on a partition for fun and learning.
I honestly haven't this much fun with my computer since my Atari 800 days.
ttyl
I guess it just comes down to preference and what you get comfortable with...
Yup. That is both the strength and weakness of Linux. Its a strength in that it gives the user control over his system, but its a weakness in that it makes it difficult, if not impossible, for one company to provide support, etc.
Personally, I use Fedora Core 5. My first distro was Red Hat 0.9, I believe in 1995. I've been using the RH flavor since then. I've dabbled with others, but always come back to FC, since that is what I am used to.
Yeah--but how often to you install? :)
Wow, you've been at this a while then. I'm jealous. :) I haven't yet figured out how to do the multi-install stuff yet, it's my next project.
OH! did you also have a problem with that dumb program in FC5 the first time you installed called "firstboot"?
I would do interactive startup at boot and noticed that the program "firstboot" kept locking up my system for some reason... so i just disabled, it... everything seemed to work ok... firstboot worked in FC5(64bit) for me a few weeks ago after i did the updates, but the 32bit version was a no go... even after the updates... pretty weird.
I agree. This is why I want to do a little bit of playing with something else before I get totally comfortable. As for PCLOS being a little old, that's supposed to be changing in the next week or so, .93 is being released.
oh goodie! :)
give MEPIS 6 a shot if you haven't tried it yet...
scroll down for mirrors
the help forum is
www.mepislovers.com/forum
:)
My pleasure. Be sure to disable Windows Automatic Update or WGA will just reinstall itself.
Then, start using manual updates (go to windows update periodically) and select "Custom" (not Express) and uncheck the WGA update under "High Priority" updates each time you run Windows Update.
I'll give it a shot if I can get in on cd/dvd somewhere cheap. I'm on dial-up and there's no way I'm able to download a distro. I have to do updates piecemeal which sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. :(
Yeah, if I'm unclear on the merits of something, I usually assume they're in inverse proportion to the degree of sell applied.
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