Son of WGA

Earlier this week, Microsoft announced it was about to release an update to its Windows Genuine Notifications software. I just checked Windows Update on a machine running Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 and found this waiting for me:

Last summer's WGA release was a horror show; will this sequel be kinder?

I’ve sent several e-mails to my WGA contacts at Microsoft and have so far received no response. But I did get a chance to listen in on a webcast announcing the new program, which is officially being released as WGA Notifications 1.7. Microsoft’s goals with this release are pretty much in line with the suggestions I offered last year in some conversations with David Lazar, Director of the Genuine Windows program.

I’ve done some follow-up surveys of WGA problem reports recently and I’ll be checking out the new WGA code on my own pirated copy of Windows XP to see what the experience looks like.

Meanwhile, I’m interested in hearing reports of any issues related to this WGA update. Leave them in the comments below.