Re: Windows Genuine Advantage for updates

Tech-Archive recommends: Speed Up your PC by fixing your registry

If you enable Automatic Updates and use it to keep the machine fully patched, you'll never see a prompt to install a WGA update.

The update you refer to is frequently updated and is required when using Windows Update or Microsoft Update website to scan for and install updates.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
DTS-L.ORG http://66.39.69.143/


Jeff wrote:
For my latest critical updates, Microsoft is now again insisting on
installing Windows Genuine Advantage before permitting updates. My
Windows is genuine but I thought "WGA" had been criticized because it
"phoned home" to MS - not just during the update but on other regular
intervals and was considered "spyware". I therefore thought MS stopped
the practice but on this latest update, I was again asked to install WGA
first. I refused because of its spyware reputation.

What's the latest story on this and why am I suddenly asked to install
this after all this time of using Windows XP?

Jeff

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: non-genuine version of windows- how do I get this resolved
    ... All of a sudden, on startup, I get an error message that tells me that the version of Windows that I am running is not genuine. ... Some tech writers have said categorizing WGA as spyware is arguable. ... If an instance of Windows doesn't seem to have a valid license, display notices to the user and prevent any updates being downloaded from Microsoft.com except security upgrades that are rated "Critical." ... Then it wanted me to install the second one again. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support)
  • RE: Installation failure
    ... If the WGA issue occurred when the Windows system has been activated, ... The WGA engine was not installed or running properly. ... Install the WGA engine manually ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsupdate)
  • RE: Update files wont install
    ... If the WGA issue occurred when the Windows system has been activated, ... The WGA engine was not installed or running properly. ... Install the WGA engine manually ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsupdate)
  • Re: WGA will not install on my XP home edition
    ... Thank you so much Carey Frisch [MVP], you relieved me from a lot of stress ... resulting from this WGA problem so many seem to be having... ... > Two Ways to Find Out if your Copy of Windows is Genuine ... After you install this item, you may have to restart your ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsupdate)
  • Re: Cannot install the VALIDATOR on a LEGIT copy of WINXP
    ... Have you ran WGA Diagnostic Tool: ... update - pick updates to install whatever one I ... it runs for a moment (no validator even being used - my home puter asks ... please refer to the Windows Update website ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsupdate)