Windows Genuine Advantage

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matthijs
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Windows Genuine Advantage

Post by matthijs »

My windows box keeps trying to install an update "Windows Genuine Advantage", since this week.

Sounds suspicious.

I remember somewhere I can better skip this update. Any thoughts?
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Kieran Huggins
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Post by Kieran Huggins »

lots of people have reported problems with WGA - if you un-check it and hit continue you'll be asked if you want to ignore it in the future. It will come back as of the next WGA update.
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shiznatix
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Post by shiznatix »

i would avoid it. a company i worked for bought 5 copies of windows XP for the office. Every single one of them was flagged as pirated even though they where brand new.
matthijs
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Post by matthijs »

Ok thanks! I'll ignore it/avoid it being installed then.
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Maugrim_The_Reaper
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Post by Maugrim_The_Reaper »

I vote for avoiding it - it's needed for some things (Windows Defender I think???) but hardly essential. The only imposition I noticed though was after a recent upgrade when it sticks a large logo warning you to re-register XP into the bottom of the login screen.
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volka
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Post by volka »

But even if you're rejecting the installation it sends some data to microsoft. http://www.heise-security.co.uk/news/86294
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RobertGonzalez
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Post by RobertGonzalez »

Microsoft makes me edgier and edgier everyday.
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Kieran Huggins
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Post by Kieran Huggins »

Another valid reason to use tools like mublinder... I administer a bunch of PC's at work (all valid licenses) and I just plain gave up on WGA years ago and started using mublinder. We own the licenses so I can't see how it's not perfectly legal.

That reminds me... I've been meaning to download Feisty Herd 5 and give it a whirl on my thinkpad... beryl 2 (svn) looks sweeeet!!
http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/releases/feisty/herd-5/
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Kieran Huggins
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Post by Kieran Huggins »

I wanted to share this...

I was just installing Ubuntu Feisty Herd 5 (latest beta) and the installer crashed while importing the account settings from my Windows partition.

So what could I do? Why don't I tell you?!!! I ran software update and downloaded the latest installer package, re-ran the installer and I was off to the races... all while booted in the live CD!

What an amazing OS.... does more inside the Installer than some do with a whole fresh install! Go Ubuntu!
Charles256
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Post by Charles256 »

I recommended installing WGA for two reasons, A ) get rid of annoying notices. b) if you're using legit software in normal circumstances, any good reason not too? c) to annoy the anti-windows boys on these forums
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RobertGonzalez
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Post by RobertGonzalez »

Dude, was that two reasons or C reasons?
alvinphp
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Post by alvinphp »

Yeah, just install WGA. It does not hurt or slow down your system and you also get Windows Defender which is a pretty slick tool.
Charles256
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Post by Charles256 »

everah, I did that on purpose too ;) You laughed, come on, admit it! :-D
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AKA Panama Jack
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Re: Windows Genuine Advantage

Post by AKA Panama Jack »

matthijs wrote:My windows box keeps trying to install an update "Windows Genuine Advantage", since this week.

Sounds suspicious.

I remember somewhere I can better skip this update. Any thoughts?
You should completely disable the auto update feature in Windows. This will prevent that message. And avoid installing the WGA software at all costs because it can cause a load of problems.

It's kind of the early version of what Vista is using that is causing people no end of headaches.

Oh, and you can get rid of the notices without installing WGA. :)
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Kieran Huggins
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Post by Kieran Huggins »

Everah wrote:Dude, was that two reasons or C reasons?
Makes about as much sense as his argument... :twisted:
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