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Microsoft to tweak WGA Notifications on Windows XP

By | August 26, 2008, 12:06pm PDT

Microsoft is to tweak WGA (Windows Genuine Advantage) Notifications on Windows XP to make it behave more like WGA on Vista.

Regular readers of this blog will know that I have written about WGA before, but for those new here, here’s a refresher. WGA is a mechanism used by Microsoft to detect non-genuine installations of Windows (those carried out using stolen or fake product keys, or systems relying on some other mechanism for bypassing product activation). The problem with WGA is while it’s been good at detecting non-genuine installs of Windows, it can sometimes incorrectly flag a genuine install as non-genuine. From having talked to people who have found themselves in this situation, sorting this out can be tedious and time consuming (the most time-consuming part of getting the problem solved seems to be getting Microsoft tech support drones to acknowledge that WGA can sometimes be wrong).

Anyway, here’s what this latest update brings to WGA for Windows XP:

  • First off, it improves the detection abilities of WGA and hopes to further reduce the risk of false-positive identifications
  • WGA Notifications now looks and behaves more like WGA on Windows Vista in that it’s naggier and annoying but still allows you to use the system even if flagged as non-genuine (here’s what WGA on Windows Vista SP1 looks like).
    Microsoft to tweak WGA Notifications on Windows XP
  • This update will be offered to the most pirated version of Windows XP - the pro version.
    “Another thing we’re doing with this release is focusing on the product edition that is most often stolen. This will reduce the number of customers that will be offered the package. This release will be offered to the most pirated edition of Windows XP and therefore to users with the highest likelihood of having a non-genuine copy, those using Windows XP Pro.  We’re also offering it to those using editions based on Pro code such as Tablet and Windows Media Center, but plan to narrow the offering to Pro in future releases.”
    [UPDATE: No, this does not mean that WGA will be removed for Windows XP Home. What this means is that this update only applies to Windows XP Pro (and those using editions based on Pro code, such as Tablet and Windows Media Center).]

This update will be delivered via Windows Update.

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Topics

Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows Genuine Advantage, Microsoft Corp., Microsoft Windows, Operating Systems, Software, Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes is an internationally published technology author who has devoted over a decade to helping users get the most from technology.

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Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

All opinions expressed on Hardware 2.0 are those of Adrian Kingsley-Hughes. Every effort is made to ensure that the information posted is accurate. If you have any comments, queries or corrections, please contact Adrian via the email link here. Any possible conflicts of interest will be posted below. [Updated: February 23, 2010] - Adrian Kingsley-Hughes has no business relationships, affiliations, investments, or other actual/potential conflicts of interest relating to the content posted so far on this blog.

Biography

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes is an internationally published technology author who has devoted over a decade to helping users get the most from technology -- whether that be by learning to program, building a PC from a pile of parts, or helping them get the most from their new MP3 player or digital camera.

Adrian has authored/co-authored technical books on a variety of topics, ranging from programming to building and maintaining PCs. His most recent books include "Build the Ultimate Custom PC", "Beginning Programming" and "The PC Doctor's Fix It Yourself Guide". He has also written training manuals that have been used by a number of Fortune 500 companies.

Adrian also runs a popular blog under the name The PC Doctor, where he covers a range of computer-related topics -- from security to repairing and upgrading.

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RE: Microsoft to tweak WGA Notifications on Windows XP
alm10965 29th Mar 2009
I have bought a XP Pro. Recovery CD for originally for for an Fujitsu Siemens OEM PC, for an HP Invent PC.
The dealer say, no problem to use for an other PC.
Than I've lost the product key due to cleaning my Desk sad
I've runned a tool from www.magicaljellybean.com
Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder v2.0.1 it's reading out the product key, I think so, but if I run C:\WINDOWS\system32\oobe>msoobe /a
I just get the invalid product key message, again and again, the same as in the automatic Product Activation launched from the systray . . .
View in thread
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Do it right...
techboy_z 26th Aug 2008
...kill WGA altogether!! Time to start listening to your customers, M$!!
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You get people to stop stealing
mdemuth 26th Aug 2008
XP and I'm sure MS will be happy to drop WGA.
No? Didn't think so.

A vast majority of MS customers don't really know that WGA is there, let alone what it does. They got their OS via legitimate means, and it never bothers them. So how is MS not listening to their customers? Do you mean the 'customers' stealing it? I would recommend they don't listen to those folks.
WGA needs 2 things it currently lacks.
1- clear conflict resolution. The ability to dispute it, or the ability to turn in whomever gave the person the pirated version.
2- some advantage to the end user. And no, not Photostory. A pool of real software titles, maybe the last version of something, as a bonus for validating.
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I agree
MyBlueRex 27th Aug 2008
@mdemuth... well said. While this WGA will help address point 1, WGA has nothing to do with point 2 at all.
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It Doesn't Matter Whether Microsoft Deploys WGA Or Not
Cardhu 4th Sep 2008
Microsoft doesn't have the skills needed to stop real pirates. Real pirates receive anti-piracy measures as brief diversions before deftly dodging them.

WGA is strictly a rootkit for squeezing honest customers for more revenues, as experienced by these hapless customers:

Mis-validation with damages to small businesses:

http://forums.community.microsoft.com/en-US/genuinefeedback/thread/be23a646-8bf4-4655-86d6-9fddac5c48b3/

http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=113

http://weblog.infoworld.com/foster/2006/07/24_a428.html

http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=150

http://www.lockergnome.com/nexus/windows/2006/11/28/wga-a-genuine-advantage/

http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=145


More mis-validation cases:

http://forums.microsoft.com/Genuine/default.aspx?ForumGroupID=125&SiteID=25

http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=110

http://oncomputerstips.blogspot.com/2006/10/microsoft-keelhauls-customers-in-wga.html

http://www.cincomsmalltalk.com/blog/blogView?showComments=true&entry=3337425127

http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/microsoft/archives/107340.asp?source=rss

http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=142

http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=144

http://www.thetechlounge.com/news/10467/WGA+and+Activation+Failures+Dont+Faze+Redmond/

http://blog.taragana.com/index.php/archive/microsoft-counters-windows-genuine-advantage-false-positive-identification-accusations/

http://www.postchronicle.com/news/technology/article_21227124.shtml

http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/blogs/index.cfm?entryid=320&blogid=4

http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=221

http://forums.microsoft.com/Genuine/ShowForum.aspx?ForumID=1004&SiteID=25

?Husker? on 9 August:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16832116515


WGA?s inclusion in a book on software industry business mistakes:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1590591046


Flirtation with kill switches:

http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?p=3718

http://content.zdnet.com/2346-12354_22-56084.html

http://blogs.zdnet.com/hardware/?p=286

http://content.zdnet.com/2346-12554_22-56027-3.html
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WGA, friend or foe?
Mac Hosehead 26th Aug 2008
Somebody at my work brought to me his laptop that had XP pro. A friend of his had sold it to him and when he tried to do an update MS made a fuss and wanted to sell him a valid key. I scanned his laptop and found a Trojan embedded in his XP install. I then installed a legit copy. Did MS do him a favor? It told him his install was bad but it was happy to take the money and be quiet.
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Huh?
Hallowed are the Ori 27th Aug 2008
MS made a fuss and wanted to sell him a valid key. I scanned his laptop and found a Trojan embedded in his XP install. I then installed a legit copy. Did MS do him a favor? It told him his install was bad but it was happy to take the money and be quiet.

Maybe it's because I haven't been up all that long, but that made no sense to me.

Could you explain? What did a trojan have to do with him having what MS considered a five finger copy of XP?

And what does "It told him his install was bad but it was happy to take the money and be quiet." mean? That MS should have told him his XP had a trojan in it?



tyvm
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OK, so...
Mac Hosehead 27th Aug 2008
A novice buys a used laptop with XP Pro on it. Unbeknownst to him, his XP is not legit and has a trojan that cannot be removed from the system files (a malicious install). He runs update and is told his key is not valid and is offered a purchase. Of course, this is just buyer beware and MS has no obligation to this guy whatsoever. The problem as I see it is that WGA claims to be protection for the user and it offered an inadequate remedy (although I don't expect a virus scan to be part of WGA).
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Ah
Hallowed are the Ori 27th Aug 2008
Now it makes sense.

Thanks.
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So...
laura.b 28th Aug 2008
If I understand correctly, even though it didn't really fix the problem (but like you said, virus scan isn't really part of that little deal), it did do exactly what it was supposed to do - sniff out illegitimate copies of the OS.

It seems that if the new method works properly, it doesn't shut you out of your system, nor does it assume that you are the pirate, but rather states that you may have been victim of one. Unfortunately, this is not a totally uncommon story when purchasing used PCs.

I'm sure it's not perfect, but it does seem to be a step in the right direction (ie - not accusing customers of being pirates).
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An offer you can't refuse?
e-man_z Updated - 26th Aug 2008
I didn't see you address what happens if someone refuses the "offer". Can XP Pro users who have the old WGA component still use it and download the software that way? Somehow I doubt it. I suspect it's more like a protection racket. To keep the download rights you would otherwise have, you have to accept their "offer" of something you may not want. How fair!

That was an obvious question to address in your article. Furthermore, if I'm correct about acceptance being mandatory, then "offer" is doublespeak, so why did you use that word yourself without at least explaining the doublespeak?
0 Votes
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Contributr
Well ...
Adrian Kingsley-Hughes 26th Aug 2008
... as it comes via WU you are free to decline the update. If you automatically install all updates then chances are it'll come in without you noticing.
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Yes, but ...
e-man_z 26th Aug 2008
That still doesn't answer if the old WGA will continue to allow you to download other stuff protected by WGA.

Maybe I'm missing something, but as I understand it, WGA on XP allows you to do 2 things (once your computer is verified as genuine):

1) Unlock the OS so it can run in non-crippled mode beyond the grace period and turn off the nags.
2) Download some software from Microsoft (what Microsoft calls "Windows Genuine Advantage downloads"). You didn't mention this one.

Many XP users are going to have installed XP and done the initial verification. I'm hoping I won't have to do any reinstalls soon, but I might want to get a WGA download in the future. So would I still be able to get WGA downloads? I realize you are talking about WGA notifications, not WGA downloads, but IIRC there is a lot of overlap. I thought some or all of the software was the same in both cases. (BTW, the whole thing is academic to me -- I'm running XP Home.)

NOTE: I updated the my top level comment while you were replying to it. I'm sorry I didn't flag my edits. I thought I could get finished before it mattered.
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Why wouldn't you be able to?
laura.b 28th Aug 2008
If it works the way I understand it to (ready to admit I may be wrong, btw), it will work the same as the old one if you have a valid copy. If not, you will be able to use the OS (it won't lock you out), and will display a message telling you that you have unlicensed software. Assuming that it all clears, then there should be no reason why wouldn't be able to download the software in question. If it doesn't clear, then it wouldn't matter if you had the old WGA or the new WGA, you still wouldn't be able to get download the desired software.

But I would think that the newer one is advantageous, because if a problem arises and your legit copy is deemed unworthy, you can still use your computer, whereas the old one locked you out.

But then again, maybe it is I who is missing something. All I really know for sure is that I'll be getting this pushed to my machine, as it runs XP Tablet Edition (and Ubuntu happy ).
0 Votes
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The really funny part is...
jinko 27th Aug 2008
The most pirated version of Windows ISN'T Windows Vista.
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RE: Microsoft to tweak WGA Notifications on Windows XP
CodfishCatfish 27th Aug 2008
It's an excellent move by MS who said recently it was stepping down its support of XP in favour of Vista and soon to come Windows 7. It's this simple the pirates who steal keys are excuses. There minds set on slipping out of the keep net. With MS putting in full effort on Vista issues they must have thought XP attention was drawing to an end. Really glad to see all those wake up alarms MS have been sending out have been acknowledged. Personally I think all new windows should be bundled with a USB device that holds vital information to install windows, not as lame as a dongle but real hard code.Or better that the motherboards of tomorrow have a chip that can be only activated online and recognized on every boot, that chip married with a serial number. If a pirate copy was loaded the serial would not be compatible with the chip and thus fail to load. In the UK SKY television have a smart card thats 8 years old and still no one has cracked it. Come on Microsoft include a smart card reader and Smart card with all copies of New windows and see if the pirates can keep up with that. WGA is a nag and if you don't apply the update who cares if its out there. Smart cards are real and should be made accessible to all software producers so that the smart card would be required to purchase any software online then all piracy would be stopped overnight, serial numbers and cards would match only on legit machines. Microsoft would find themselves in big big profits as everyone of those companies would sign up and see sales rocket. I love you all but, but pirates not nearly as much.
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Or stuff all that nonsense and use a free os?
SpikeyMike 27th Aug 2008
Operating Systems have become commodity items. Using license keys or serial numbers for an OS as if it were a $25,000 engineering package is laughable.

Let's not kid ourselves here - Microsoft says they are doing this to combat piracy - Unless WGA is 100% ineffective, they've reduced piracy by some unknown percentage.

How much has the price of Windows dropped since they introduced WGA again?

Lastly, WGA precludes windows from being used in a business. Right now, with reduced functionality, you may still have use of your computer. What's to stop Microsoft from ratcheting this down?

-Mike
0 Votes
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It is a joke.
jskline0@... 27th Aug 2008
Worse yet, there is absolutely nothing to stop Microsoft from publishing a push update that then renders most of the existing copies of Windows XP obsolete and then disables it followed by a big sign plastered up every time the computer is booted that the only way to recover is to install a Windows Vista upgrade.

There really is nothing to stop them from doing this. Since it is "licensed" to you and not sold, they can do whatever they want. They might also do it because they want those Vista numbers up and it then falls upon you to bring suit upon them for it, of which you'll likely loose in court anyway.

If they did ever do that, they'd find themselves in a bit of a pickle from every hacker on the planet, much less everyone would be buying Linux in droves and laughing at Mr. Ballmer all the way home or to the office.
0 Votes
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Thank you for der Munderful Maltz into Microsoft Munderland
Ole Man 27th Aug 2008
Formerly know as "Der Fatherland" or "Big Brother".

Your name, I am sure, has been pontifically archived so you need have no fear of freedom. It cannot touch you.
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RE: Microsoft to tweak WGA Notifications on Windows XP
dswanson2609 27th Aug 2008
If you no longer have the tallent to make an OS that works as well as XP, start crippling it so that it's as bad as the thing that you would rather sell (Fista).
THEN THEY WILL BUY FISTA!
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RE: Microsoft to tweak WGA Notifications on Windows XP
Williepr 27th Aug 2008
I had what initially seemed the right response to this news from Microsoft but my brain kicked in and I deleted it all. If this company can do anything on a consistent basis it's anger their customers. Seems to me its the cost of being a monopoly, the world has X number of thieves and who else would they steal an OS from? Perhaps Vista is nothing more than a type of vaccine to make you never want to steal again, it can be and is that annoying on a rather regular basis. Every buyer of that OS was robbed of some amount, like being sold an unbaked cake or pie or a portrait only half painted. Do you think maybe a few bucks of the cost of anything from MS goes to fund this gap? Why would they waste even more time with this? How much do they lose anyway? Its a retail problem for certain, wonder what method Wal-Mart uses?
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How stupid does Microsoft think their "users" are?
Ole Man 27th Aug 2008
Judging by the number of suckers who continue to fork over their moo-laa to them, plenty. And they would be right, too.

From the beginning of time, there have always been a sucker born every minute, so even if everyone present here, today, wised up and quit feeding the hog, there would be an instant new generation to take up the flag and continue the slopping.

I'll bet those of you who are enamored with Microsoft and using XP are honored to be voted by Microsoft most likely to be, and therefore punishable as thieves, eh? Most likely you think they have YOUR bottom line in mind, huh?
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Smart Card With Every Issue Of Operating System
CodfishCatfish 27th Aug 2008
I case anyone didnt get my last message, all new PC's should come with a smart card reader and Operating Systems to be supplied with a smart card. No smart card no boot. Simple. No need for WGA as Smart card would also be needed to run other software, all vendors would be protected by one smart card. Dongle are very easy to emulate, Smart cards are like hacking a credit card, nearly impossible.
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RE: Microsoft to tweak WGA Notifications on Windows XP
edynamic 27th Aug 2008
I feel sorry for the XP users.

My proplems with Vista Ultimate and the months spent trying to obtain a solution for my perfectly legal, (purchased through the MS Store)software, suddently deciding it was pirated; led to my becoming quite an expert in the WGA minefield.

With MS and Vista you're apparently guilty until proving you have a valid product at least a dozen times.

Despite their laughable 'support' on this matter, I eventually had to do a fresh reinstall of Vista. And they're now expanding this to XP? Clearly they don't give a crap about their home users.

Making more money is their sole objective.
0 Votes
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WGA has no place in a business! (NT)
SpikeyMike 28th Aug 2008
.
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"ADVANTAGE" ???
On Site PC 5th Sep 2008
two years ago, after an "update" and subsequent WGA notification it took 3 months of sometimes heated argument and evidence from him to Ms for my customer to get his legit OS ok'd, and then to top it off they could not tell him how to remove the wga notification!(after he phoned it took me about 5 minutes and i am judtst a humble tech)what this customer, a freelance journo think of MS and their customer support can now be described in one unrepeatable word.
0 Votes
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Then You'll Be So Pleased To Know
Cardhu 6th Sep 2008
that Mr. Ed Bott "finally gives WGA a passing grade":

http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=526

Isn't that nice?

Your customer is not alone, by the way:

Mis-validation with damages to small businesses:

http://forums.community.microsoft.com/en-US/genuinefeedback/thread/be23a646-8bf4-4655-86d6-9fddac5c48b3/

http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=113

http://weblog.infoworld.com/foster/2006/07/24_a428.html

http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=150

http://www.lockergnome.com/nexus/windows/2006/11/28/wga-a-genuine-advantage/

http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=145


More mis-validation cases:

http://forums.microsoft.com/Genuine/default.aspx?ForumGroupID=125&SiteID=25

http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=110

http://oncomputerstips.blogspot.com/2006/10/microsoft-keelhauls-customers-in-wga.html

http://www.cincomsmalltalk.com/blog/blogView?showComments=true&entry=3337425127

http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/microsoft/archives/107340.asp?source=rss

http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=142

http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=144

http://www.thetechlounge.com/news/10467/WGA+and+Activation+Failures+Dont+Faze+Redmond/

http://blog.taragana.com/index.php/archive/microsoft-counters-windows-genuine-advantage-false-positive-identification-accusations/

http://www.postchronicle.com/news/technology/article_21227124.shtml

http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/blogs/index.cfm?entryid=320&blogid=4

http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=221

http://forums.microsoft.com/Genuine/ShowForum.aspx?ForumID=1004&SiteID=25

?Husker? on 9 August:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16832116515


WGA?s inclusion in a book on software industry business mistakes:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1590591046
0 Votes
+ -
RE: Microsoft to tweak WGA Notifications on Windows XP
alm10965 29th Mar 2009
I have bought a XP Pro. Recovery CD for originally for for an Fujitsu Siemens OEM PC, for an HP Invent PC.
The dealer say, no problem to use for an other PC.
Than I've lost the product key due to cleaning my Desk sad
I've runned a tool from www.magicaljellybean.com
Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder v2.0.1 it's reading out the product key, I think so, but if I run C:\WINDOWS\system32\oobe>msoobe /a
I just get the invalid product key message, again and again, the same as in the automatic Product Activation launched from the systray . . .

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