How to remove WGA

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christopher_wolf · #1 Post by **christopher_wolf** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 3:26 pm

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=921914

Contained therein is a guide that will get rid of the early (prety much useless yet highly annoying) version of WGA (Windows Genuine Advantage).

I would recommend doing Windows Updates not at all, until the next Patch Tuesday rolls around and even then doing it manually, or doing it manually in the first place and watching very carefully what is installed.

bigtiger · #2 Post by **bigtiger** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 4:22 pm

Cool.

I just did these and rebooted. WGA is gone. Now my XP boots faster. About 0.01 Second faster than before.

I have legitimate version, but I still hate MS doing this. Very annoying.

christopher_wolf · #3 Post by **christopher_wolf** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 4:23 pm

bigtiger wrote:Cool.

I just did these and rebooted. WGA is gone. Now my XP boots faster. About 0.01 Second faster than before.

I have legitimate version, but I still hate MS doing this. Very annoying.

Yeah, keep in mind that this was a "Pilot" or "Beta" release of WGA; hopefully, this convinces Microsoft to kill off the WGA concept as is and possibly come up with something better should they really be keen on it.

dsigma6 · #4 Post by **dsigma6** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 5:53 pm

good lookin out- thanks!

christopher_wolf · #5 Post by **christopher_wolf** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 9:20 pm

I also found this interesting tidbit about the plans Microsoft may have for WGA and WPA; involved is a story about a Thinkpad and how WGA kept throwing up incorrect conclusions about the OS installed on it.

See; http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=84

bigtiger · #6 Post by **bigtiger** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 9:32 pm

That reminds me two problems.

My T41 (sold already) was brand new. But when I reinstalled it. WGA also refuse to activate. I had to call in to activate it. I am not sure if it is WGA or WPA problem though for sure.

My X40 also got this problem. I got it used but it has legitimate code. I got the same problem. Now I seriously it is WGA's fault. Initially, I thought it is just me.

christopher_wolf · #7 Post by **christopher_wolf** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 9:35 pm

bigtiger wrote:That reminds me two problems.

My T41 (sold already) was brand new. But when I reinstalled it. WGA also refuse to activate. I had to call in to activate it. I am not sure if it is WGA or WPA problem though for sure.

My X40 also got this problem. I got it used but it has legitimate code. I got the same problem. Now I seriously it is WGA's fault. Initially, I thought it is just me.

I think Microsoft could re-name WGA to WTF; it would seem to be a more accurate name, don't you think?

bigtiger · #8 Post by **bigtiger** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 9:45 pm

christopher_wolf wrote:I think Microsoft could re-name WGA to WTF; it would seem to be a more accurate name, don't you think?

Cannot be agreed more.

They donot have time to be innovative but do have time to be curse-ive.

dsvochak · #9 Post by **dsvochak** » Sun Jul 02, 2006 1:02 pm

For anyone who may be interested, below is a link to the discussion of WGA from last year:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=13796

jjesusfreak01 · #10 Post by **jjesusfreak01** » Sun Jul 02, 2006 2:40 pm

<satire>
Yeah, I just dont believe this WGA stuff. Microsoft wanting to make sure people are using registered versions of their software? Just crazy! Just think of how annoying this must be for people using counterfeit copies of Windows. If only there were some way for them to get a free legitimate copy of Windows if they have proof they paid for a fake copy, or at least a way for them to get half off the full version if they cant prove they paid for a fake version. Microsoft, think about the customers!
</satire>

#11 Post by **Kyocera** » Sun Jul 02, 2006 2:44 pm

<satire>
Yeah, I just dont believe this WGA stuff. Microsoft wanting to make sure people are using registered versions of their software? Just crazy! Just think of how annoying this must be for people using counterfeit copies of Windows. If only there were some way for them to get a free legitimate copy of Windows if they have proof they paid for a fake copy, or at least a way for them to get half off the full version if they cant prove they paid for a fake version. Microsoft, think about the customers!
</satire>

That's a good one..

pphilipko · #12 Post by **pphilipko** » Sun Jul 02, 2006 5:54 pm

There's a program out there called removeWGA that eliminates all traces of the spyware.

http://www.firewallleaktester.com/removewga.htm

chubes · #13 Post by **chubes** » Sun Jul 02, 2006 8:34 pm

Good tip christopher.

May I suggest another solution? Use Linux.

nikemen · #14 Post by **nikemen** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 11:50 am

pphilipko wrote:There's a program out there called removeWGA that eliminates all traces of the spyware.

http://www.firewallleaktester.com/removewga.htm

I was JUST going to post this, found it a few days ago. Works well, everyone should just remove these componants of WGA, the call out componants, which on my machine.

USED UP 28MB of RAM at STARTUP.

I am not back down to 175mb at launch.

dsigma6 · #15 Post by **dsigma6** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 11:52 am

Using linux doesn't aid in removing WGA. Thanks though.

#16 Post by **GomJabbar** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 4:26 pm

dsigma6 wrote:Using linux doesn't aid in removing WGA.

Doesn't remove it, but doesn't install it either.

christopher_wolf · #17 Post by **christopher_wolf** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 6:11 pm

GomJabbar wrote:
dsigma6 wrote:Using linux doesn't aid in removing WGA.
Doesn't remove it, but doesn't install it either.

No; but in place of that, some distros have special adopt-an-orphaned-zealot programs. Often known as L.E.E.Ts.; Linux Electronics Evangelical Technicians. These programs match you with "Special" individuals that will remind you to download the latest kernel image to fix things that should have worked/add features and daemons you don't need. Your assigned* L.E.E.T will also remind (read: flame) you as to why typing in 256 characters to simply use your soundcard and adopting every "free" format known to humans, regardless of its state of functionality or acceptance, makes you a "superior" computer user over those "ROFFLE Windoze luzers."**

What an amazing "free alternative" to Windows.

* Due to over-abundance of L.E.E.Ts; you may be paired with more than one. You may not have a choice in the selection of your L.E.E.T.(s); remember the swar...community is greater than the individual worker, Obey the Many.

**This is highly technical terminology; if you don't understand it, don't worry...There is a Wiki on the next page that will probably explain it if somebody took the time to edit it correctly. Barring that, find out for yourself...properly edited documentation isn't free anyway. Neither can we be held responsible for any information you do manage to find; send us the links when you do, though.

dsigma6 · #18 Post by **dsigma6** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 8:21 pm

christopher_wolf- you're a riot!!

christopher_wolf · #19 Post by **christopher_wolf** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 11:42 pm

dsigma6 wrote:christopher_wolf- you're a riot!!

Mmm; thanks

You haven't seen wacky-weaving in the old Usenet alt.religion.kibology and church of the sub-genius groups have you? Most fun.

I edited that post to do some minor amount of wacky-weaving as well.

#20 Post by **BillMorrow** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 3:36 am

personally, i think mr. wolf needs a horny girlfriend..
one of those hippie chicks that must still inhabit the environs of sather gate and telegraph avenue..

that said, somewhere hereabouts i have an untried thing that will either fool or remove WTF!..

with sufficient impetus pigs WILL fly and i WILL dig that up..

christopher_wolf · #21 Post by **christopher_wolf** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 4:04 am

BillMorrow wrote:personally, i think mr. wolf needs a horny girlfriend..
one of those hippie chicks that must still inhabit the environs of sather gate and telegraph avenue..

Want it. Have it. Need it. Now!

Still experimenting with it by the way; getting into new positions, different angles and whatnot. Searching out and applying new techniques, probing, getting a good feedback and responses. It is amazing the amount of information one can gather like that....

....But anyway, back to WTF/WGA; I found another possible way to cripple it into not phoning home. I really have to question how MS pays their people for coming up with this stuff (how much?!); looking at it with a Hex editor and even doing a search for its dependencies are sufficient enough to serious impede its abilities; should one want to, I am sure that it could be tricked into reporting always-authentic...Although I think that would be good

How to remove WGA

How to remove WGA

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