NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Windows Genuine Advantage

Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) is an anti-piracy system created by Microsoft that enforces Microsoft Windows online validation of the authenticity of several recent Microsoft operating systems when accessing several Microsoft Windows services, such as Windows Update, and downloading from the Microsoft Download Center. Specifically, WGA covers Windows XP and Windows Vista. It does not cover Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003 or the Windows 9x family. Certain downloads and non-critical updates from the Download Center for Windows 2000 also require validation. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... For other uses, see Software developer (disambiguation). ... Microsoft Corporation, (NASDAQ: MSFT, HKSE: 4338) is a multinational computer technology corporation with global annual revenue of US$44. ... Code complete redirects here. ... is the 91st day of the year (92nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... An operating system (OS) is a software that manages computer resources and provides programmers with an interface used to access those resources. ... Windows XP is a line of operating systems developed by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, notebook computers, and media centers. ... Windows Vista is a line of graphical operating systems used on personal computers, including home and business desktops, notebook computers, Tablet PCs, and media centers. ... In computing, a platform describes some sort of framework, either in hardware or software, which allows software to run. ... The current Microsoft Update icon The previous Windows Update icon Microsoft Update is a website where users can download updates for various Microsoft Windows-related products. ... Windows Update version 5 through Netscape Browser 8. ... A software license is a legal agreement which may take the form of a proprietary or gratuitous license as well as a memorandum of contract between a producer and a user of computer software. ... A website (alternatively, Web site or web site) is a collection of Web pages, images, videos or other digital assets that is hosted on one or several Web server(s), usually accessible via the Internet, cell phone or a LAN. A Web page is a document, typically written in HTML... The Cathach of St. ... Microsoft Corporation, (NASDAQ: MSFT, HKSE: 4338) is a multinational computer technology corporation with global annual revenue of US$44. ... Windows redirects here. ... An operating system (OS) is a software that manages computer resources and provides programmers with an interface used to access those resources. ... Windows Update version 5 through Netscape Browser 8. ... Windows XP is a line of operating systems developed by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, notebook computers, and media centers. ... Windows Vista is a line of graphical operating systems used on personal computers, including home and business desktops, notebook computers, Tablet PCs, and media centers. ... Windows 2000 (also referred to as Win2K) is a preemptive, interruptible, graphical and business-oriented operating system designed to work with either uniprocessor or symmetric multi-processor computers. ... Windows Server 2003 is a server operating system produced by Microsoft. ... Windows 9x is the family of Microsoft Windows operating systems that comprises the 32-bit, DOS-based Windows versions: Windows 95, Windows 98, and often also Windows Me. ...

It also advertises Service Pack 2 for Windows XP, which requires manual intervention to disable. Previously voluntary, it became mandatory for use of these services in July 2005.

Features

The WGA validation process validates the present installation of Windows and its license key against the hardware involved. It is accessible by either a stand-alone program, or as an ActiveX control within Internet Explorer, the latter of which is relevant to any attempt to access Microsoft updates via its browser. It includes the following steps: Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... For other uses, see Hardware (disambiguation). ... ActiveX is Microsoft technology used for developing reusable object oriented software components. ... Windows Internet Explorer (formerly Microsoft Internet Explorer abbreviated MSIE), commonly abbreviated to IE, is a series of graphical web browsers developed by Microsoft and included as part of the Microsoft Windows line of operating systems starting in 1995. ... An example of a Web browser (Mozilla Firefox) A web browser is a software application that enables a user to display and interact with text, images, videos, music and other information typically located on a Web page at a website on the World Wide Web or a local area network. ...

If an instance of Windows does not seem to have a valid license, WGA displays a specific notice to the user and prevents non-Critical updates from being downloaded from Microsoft. ActiveX is Microsoft technology used for developing reusable object oriented software components. ...

The ActiveX control is downloaded on the first validation and when a new version is available, but the validation itself can be performed any time the user connects to a Microsoft website to update.

Windows Vista is a line of graphical operating systems used on personal computers, including home and business desktops, notebook computers, Tablet PCs, and media centers. ... Windows Aero is the graphical user interface for Windows Vista, an operating system released by Microsoft in November 2006. ... Windows Defender, previously known as Microsoft AntiSpyware, is a software product from Microsoft designed to prevent, remove and quarantine spyware on Microsofts Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, and Windows Vista operating systems. ... ReadyBoost is a disk caching technology first included with Microsofts Windows Vista operating system. ... Windows Vista is a line of graphical operating systems used on personal computers, including home and business desktops, notebook computers, Tablet PCs, and media centers. ...

Software

Windows Genuine Advantage, Validation Tool

When a user installs WGA, an Internet Explorer add-on is installed labeled "Windows Genuine Advantage". In early releases the tool could be readily disabled with the IE Add-on Management feature. A Windows Group Policy was added by later updates, causing this option to be unavailable by default, but still accessible if the policy were removed. As of July 2006, the latest update blocks management by other means. Windows Internet Explorer (formerly Microsoft Internet Explorer abbreviated MSIE), commonly abbreviated to IE, is a series of graphical web browsers developed by Microsoft and included as part of the Microsoft Windows line of operating systems starting in 1995. ... Local Group Policy Editor in Windows XP Media Center Edition Group policy is a feature of Microsoft Windows NT family of operating systems that provides centralized management and configuration of computers and remote users in an Active Directory environment. ...

The program uses either a stand-alone program to generate a key or an ActiveX control to discover whether the license key is valid; either way an Internet connection is required. If WGA determines that a user's copy of Windows is unauthorized but was installed from seemingly-legitimate media (i.e., the CD and holographic emblem present on real copies of Windows seems genuine), then Microsoft will supply the user with a new CD. Microsoft also offers discounts to people who want to purchase a legitimate copy of Windows but do not have a valid CD. Microsoft has indicated that they will continue to deliver critical security updates through their Automatic Updates service as well as via the Microsoft Download Center, so that all systems, including those that fail to pass validation, will still continue to receive critical security updates. ActiveX is Microsoft technology used for developing reusable object oriented software components. ... A key server for software licensing is a centralized system which provides tokens, or keys, to client systems in order to enable licensed software to run on them. ... The copyright infringement of software (also known as software piracy) refers to several practices when done without the permission of the copyright holder: Creating a copy and/or selling it. ... The CD-ROM (an abbreviation for Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (ROM)) is a non-volatile optical data storage medium using the same physical format as audio compact discs, readable by a computer with a CD-ROM drive. ...

The company has made installation of WGA a requirement for use of the Windows Update website (and its close cousin Microsoft Update), in part to be sure that customers who use support resources of the company are aware when their software is unlicensed or counterfeit. According to Microsoft themselves, it is legal to run Microsoft Windows without WGA^{[citation needed]}. However, since non-critical Windows updates are not presented by Automatic Updates, installation of WGA is required for installation of such non-critical updates, which are only available through Windows Update or the Microsoft Download Center. Windows Update version 5 through Netscape Browser 8. ... The current Microsoft Update icon The previous Windows Update icon Microsoft Update is a website where users can download updates for various Microsoft Windows-related products. ...

Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications

Beginning April 25, 2006, Microsoft began distributing Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications^[1] as "critical update" KB905474 to Windows users. Users with pirated copies were exposed to alerts^[2] at startup, login, and during use of the Windows OS, stating that they do not have a genuine copy of Windows. Users with legitimate copies are not supposed to see the alerts (although some do anyway^[3]). On May 23, 2006, Microsoft updated the program, closing some forms of circumvention, but reportedly not all.^[4] It was updated again on May 30, June 6 and June 27, 2006, though some forms of circumvention are still usable. The latest versions do not roll out worldwide at the same time: the dates given are the earliest dates on which the versions appeared, so the actual version being offered in some places will be an earlier version than the latest release. It is still possible to opt out of receiving this update using the "do not show" option at the Windows Update site. In addition to these notifications, Windows Genuine Advantage will also notify users with the message "This version of Windows XP is no longer secure" if users on an XP Operating System are not using Service Pack 2. It will provide a link to help users to upgrade their systems to the new service pack. is the 115th day of the year (116th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 143rd day of the year (144th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 150th day of the year (151st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 157th day of the year (158th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 178th day of the year (179th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The version of Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications released November 29, 2006 had a changed install process to inform the user of what the program does, and can also be set to automatically update to newer versions of Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications. It also informs users that may have a non-genuine version of Windows why their Windows version isn't being reported as genuine. However, unlike previous releases, it is currently only automatically delivered to Windows machines that are using four widely-distributed product keys. It will be distributed to all other machines in the coming weeks.^[5] is the 333rd day of the year (334th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

A new update was released March 27, 2007. is the 86th day of the year (87th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ...

Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Library

Microsoft includes the Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Library in several products like Windows Defender, Microsoft Private Folder and Windows Media Player 11 to validate about the Windows installation. Internet Explorer 7 no longer requires the user to pass a WGA test in order to download or install the software. Older versions, however, did. Windows Defender, previously known as Microsoft AntiSpyware, is a software product from Microsoft designed to prevent, remove and quarantine spyware on Microsofts Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, and Windows Vista operating systems. ... Private Folder password prompt Microsoft Private Folder was a controversial product released by Microsoft as part of their Windows Genuine Advantage program. ... Windows Media Player (WMP) is a proprietary software digital media player and media library application developed by Microsoft that is used for playing audio, video and images on personal computers running the Microsoft Windows operating system, as well as on Pocket PC and Windows Mobile-based devices. ... Windows Internet Explorer (formerly Microsoft Internet Explorer abbreviated MSIE), commonly abbreviated to IE, is a series of graphical web browsers developed by Microsoft and included as part of the Microsoft Windows line of operating systems starting in 1995. ...

Microsoft has also launched the Office Genuine Advantage program, which validates installations of Microsoft Office. Office Genuine Advantage (OGA) is a program currently (as of 2006-05-03) being piloted by Microsoft similar to Windows Genuine Advantage in that it requires users of the Microsoft Office software to validate their copy of Microsoft Office. ... Microsoft Office is an office suite from Microsoft for Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac OS X operating systems. ...

Circumvention

In September 2005, Microsoft filed lawsuits against a number of companies that sold unauthorized copies of software to consumers. The cases are important because the leads came from customers who learned they had counterfeit software via the Windows Genuine Advantage program.^[6]

On November 16, 2005, Microsoft released a standard Netscape WGA plug-in to complete the Windows validation process from Mozilla Firefox and other Gecko-based browsers (including Netscape) - although it does not use the Firefox extensions system, and thus is not supported by the latest version of the browser. This has garnered more criticism, since it still does not work in other NPAPI supported browsers such as Opera. Another workaround was released on December 25, 2005 to bypass WGA authentication by using a valid hash generated by a remote system. Microsoft responded with a cease and desist letter to the website host, and the workaround was taken down on January 6, 2006. Many people continue to validate on the Microsoft website from a public computer using a genuine copy of Windows, then write down the hash and continue to use it at home or work. As of July 2006, Microsoft has not devised a way to prevent this method of circumvention. On May 4, 2006 Microsoft announced lawsuits for allegedly distributing unauthorized copies of Windows against eDirectSoftware of Montana, and Chicago-area resellers Nathan Ballog and Easy Computers.^[7] is the 320th day of the year (321st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Firefox redirects here. ... Epiphany using Gecko to render the Wikipedia main page Gecko is the open source, free software web browser layout engine used in all Mozilla-branded software and its derivatives, including later Netscape releases. ... For the web browser produced by this corporation, see Netscape (web browser). ... The NPAPI (or Netscape Plugin Application Programming Interface) is the cross-platform plugin architecture used by many web browsers. ... Opera is a web browser and Internet suite developed by the Norwegian Opera Software company. ... is the 359th day of the year (360th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Cease-and-desist is a legal term meaning essentially stop: It is used in demands for a person or organization to stop doing something (to cease and desist from doing it). ... is the 6th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 124th day of the year (125th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

On June 14, 2006 RemoveWGA was released which completely removes any trace of WGA from a system containing it.

Various workarounds to get past WGA authentication have been released on the Internet. Before Microsoft issued official instructions^[8] on removing the WGA Notifier (a desktop application which resides in the system tray and periodically displays messages, reminding users to authenticate their operating system), users simply had to remove 2 files in order to get rid of the software from their system.

In September 2006, Microsoft dropped various required validations on programs such as ActiveSync. ActiveSync is a synchronisation program developed by Microsoft Corporation. ...

Recently it has been found that it is possible to validate with WGA when running Linux (see below). This article is about operating systems that use the Linux kernel. ... Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) is an anti-piracy system created by Microsoft that enforces Microsoft Windows online validation of the authenticity of several recent Microsoft operating systems when accessing several Microsoft Windows services, such as Windows Update, and downloading from the Microsoft Download Center. ...

Notifications and firewalls

Some personal firewalls, though not the basic one in Windows, may alert on the method by which wgatray.exe is started, in the case of Outpost firewall, it is identified as a "hidden process". The wgatray.exe process itself can be firewall blocked, without apparent problems. A personal firewall is an application which controls network traffic to and from a computer, permitting or denying communications based on a security policy. ...

A tool has been released by a firewall vendor to prevent WGA Notifications transmitting information from one's PC.^[9]

Data collected

For other uses, see Bios. ... A checksum is a form of redundancy check, a simple way to protect the integrity of data by detecting errors in data that are sent through space (telecommunications) or time (storage). ... In computer networking a Media Access Control address (MAC address) or Ethernet Hardware Address (EHA) or hardware address or adapter address is a quasi-unique identifier attached to most network adapters (NICs). ... A Globally Unique Identifier or GUID is a pseudo-random number used in software applications. ...

Criticisms

Time bomb

Even if WGA does not really make the program unusable, the fact that no updates except critical ones could be downloaded from Microsoft^[12] if a product has not been considered genuine has made some people compare WGA to time bomb software ^[13]^[14]^[15]. Windows Vista SP1 will remove this behavior and revert back to the nag-only methods of Windows XP. ^[16] In Computer Software, a Time-bomb refers to a computer program that has been written in such a way that it will stop functioning after a certain fixed date or time is reached. ...

Spyware accusations

The notification tool has been accused of spyware-like behavior, "phoning home" on a daily basis.^[17]^[18]^[19] Microsoft subsequently admitted the behavior, but denied that it amounted to spyware.^[20]^[21] Following pressure, Microsoft announced that in future the tool would only phone home once every two weeks, instead of every day.^[22] Microsoft has also provided removal instructions for the pilot version of WGA.^[8] A large number of toolbars, some added by spyware, overwhelm an Internet Explorer session. ... Phoning home is usually surreptitious communication between applications or hardware installed at end user sites and their manufacturers or developers. ...

Despite this, Microsoft is currently being sued under anti-spyware statutes over WGA's non-disclosed "phone home" behavior.^[23] The outcome of the lawsuit has not been determined.

False positive rate

The WGA program can produce false positives (incorrectly identifying a genuine copy of Windows as "not genuine"). This can happen for any number of reasons. Microsoft has established a forum to help users encountering problems.^[24] Recently, a "Not Sure" section was added to the program, in case of an incorrect reading. Type I errors (or Î± error, or false positive) and type II errors (Î² error, or a false negative) are two terms used to describe statistical errors. ...

According to an editorial on the arstechnica.com technology website, WGA reported around 22% of 500 million Windows computers as failing the test; of these less than 0.5% were due to pirate software, with the balance (over 20%, or 90% of all positives) related to non piracy issues. Microsoft "refused to comment on the rate of pure false positives" beyond saying it was "under 1%" (or as stated, at most around 5 million users affected). see Arstechnica ...

False negatives

On the other hand, on June 18, 2007 news had surfaced that it is possible to positively validate as a "Genuine Microsoft Product" user (and - as a result - be able to download certain software from Microsoft's official website) using Internet Explorer with ies4Linux and Wine, running on Linux^[25], without even having a Windows-family system installed. Microsoft Corporation, (NASDAQ: MSFT, HKSE: 4338) is a multinational computer technology corporation with global annual revenue of US$44. ... Windows Internet Explorer (formerly Microsoft Internet Explorer abbreviated MSIE), commonly abbreviated to IE, is a series of graphical web browsers developed by Microsoft and included as part of the Microsoft Windows line of operating systems starting in 1995. ... Wine is a software application which aims to allow Unix-like computer operating systems on the x86 architecture to execute programs that were originally written for Microsoft Windows. ... This article is about operating systems that use the Linux kernel. ... Windows redirects here. ...

Major Failures in WGA System

On August 25th, 2007, the Microsoft WGA servers suffered an outage, resulting in many legitimate copies of Windows XP and Vista being marked as counterfeit.^[26]. The issue was solved about 12 hours later. According to Microsoft, "fewer than 12,000 systems were affected worldwide."^[27]

On October 5th, 2006, a similar WGA failure occurred, although it does not seem to have been as widespread.^[28]

Encyclopedia > Windows Genuine Advantage

Contents