Remove and Disable Windows Genuine Notification
Filed in: Microsoft, Tips n Tricks — May 4th, 2006Many Windows users are receiving Windows Genuine notification nags since Microsoft automatically installed it to their PCs via Windows Update last week.
Windows Genuine notification on Windows XP login screen.
If you see a similar screen on your computer, you are probably using an illegal copy of Microsoft Windows. You need to check with your system admin or buy a legit copy.
I will get a legit copy, How do I stop the nagging screen for the moment?
There are several methods available in the Internet to disable and remove Windows Genuine notifications. So far, I think My Digital Life has the most complete collection of the methods.
One of the method, which tested and proved to work by my friend, is delete WgaTray.exe in Windows\ System32 and Windows\ System32\ dllcache, then edit Windows Registry to delete WgaLogon folder under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ SOFTWARE\ Microsoft\ Windows NT\ CurrentVersion\ WinlogonNotify.
mypapit has an easier method, it does not require windows registry editing.
My two cents
Yes, it is ILLEGAL to use pirated software. Please get a legit Windows license.
By the way, I am not sure whether to agree Microsoft’s action to install the nagware (software that nags you) automatically without agreement from users.
How many users have converted themselves to being to legit Windows users due to the Windows Genuine notification? Does Microsoft gets more negative sounds than new sales?
Perhaps, Microsoft might uninstall the Windows Genuine notification in the next Windows Update?
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May 4th, 2006 at 9:21 am
I heard the rumor of this long time ago and I did not use automatic update since then., even turn them off right after fresh installation of my OS.. ;p
May 4th, 2006 at 10:02 am
As far as I know, I do get an agreement dialog box before installing the Windows Genuine notification. Tried both on Automatic Updates and Manually update through Windows Update.
May 4th, 2006 at 10:59 am
Windows Genuine check is not something new, but Windows Genuine Notification is new.
May 4th, 2006 at 4:56 pm
I rather use original Windows software and can’t be bother about this. Well that’s what we should do anyway right. Otherwise, just use Linux..
May 4th, 2006 at 5:27 pm
@Gaman: I strongly agree. Or, use Mac OS X
May 4th, 2006 at 9:54 pm
but bear wan ask what is the worth of of software that can so easily cracked?
unless ms work up a means to force ppl to buy, windows pirate will come and come can come and come…
Bear do ori, bear use linux desktop, dualboot winlinux laptop…
Happy bear.
May 10th, 2006 at 4:37 am
Would it be reasonable to pay RM500++ for Windows XP Pro? I believe the prices should be lowered. The max amount I will pay is about lets say RM 199 maybe….
May 17th, 2006 at 10:46 am
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May 20th, 2006 at 2:43 pm
End wgatray in taskmgr
boot into safe mode and remove wgatray from windowssystem32 and dllcache
delete wgalogon from registry
Immediatly the popups disappeared at logon and in Windows
May 25th, 2006 at 2:00 am
Well Guys now i am laughing and you know why? Coz apparently those smart ppl at Microsoft are not that smart afterall. The tried to come up with this Genuine software thingy for pirates but dint know that the solution hack for that is one that THEY themselves have provided and that is known as SYSTEM RESTORE
. I got the same problem with the Genuine software thingy so i simply restored my system to the checkpoint before the last windows update and BINGO 
.No problems after that.Also dont forget to disable Live Update from that point afterwards coz this feature is just piece of crap
For those of you unfamiliar with this feature System Restore option can be accessed at
Start>All Programs>Accessories>System Tools>System Restore
take care
May 27th, 2006 at 10:43 pm
linux all the way
May 29th, 2006 at 8:24 am
Hmm…. this is something that realy realy suck! I mean… Microsoft laa… I guess, we all need to change our systems to Open Source! It has all that we needed!! Hehehehe… say again… Microsoft SUCK!!! Microsoft SUCK!!! Microsoft SUCK!!! Microsoft SUCK!!! Microsoft SUCK!!!… and so on!! (Sorry admin, i cannot control my brain right now!)
June 6th, 2006 at 11:24 pm
this has become a headache. the last IT guy in the small company i worked for installed not-so-legit copies of XP Pro on a couple machines. since then we’ve had to upgrade to legit licenses because workarounds don’t change the fact you are STEALING. but i don’t blame microsoft because everyone needs to make money (capitalism eh?), when you are a target of piracy, you have to protect your investment. since the dawn of the first software license agreement; software is their property that you are allowed to use, they can protect it however they see fit.
June 7th, 2006 at 12:30 pm
stupid system restore i already turned off right away after installation….
June 8th, 2006 at 9:35 am
people talk about changing to linux and open source all everytime microsoft flex its muscle, but in reality most that says hey will change to linux because of wga or whatever NEVER does. its just anger speak. people will still use microsoft and one way or the other, they will continue using pirated ones since microsoft is just too expensive for the regular joe. after years of microsoft, turning to linux or other os is difficult. took me 2 months to get use to mac osx and have never looked back ever since. i still have to use microsoft in the work place since some company software are ms compatible only. about the nag screen? leave it there. its just another second or so more time to reboot.
i don’t see why ms allocated resources to wga when their os is still buggy and insecure.
June 12th, 2006 at 2:06 am
ain’t it possible to write a new OS like linux and windows etc
free of charge like linux but even common as windows?
or ain’t it possible to run games as well on windows as in linux?
or other programs?
June 12th, 2006 at 11:34 pm
Hang tight people Linux has made leaps and bounds the last couple of years, open source is here to stay.
Do a search on ubuntu, dapper is really freakin close.
August 6th, 2006 at 9:10 am
I had problems with wga notifications but I followed the directives from CFliew,com and got ridd of the “son of a tar foot” off my system. Now I do not have it popping up and annoying me anymore.
Thank you Liew
When I grow up I want to be as good and accurate as you are.
Bwedd
August 10th, 2006 at 12:30 am
RemoveWGA Removes Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications
If you are troubled by Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications(WGA), and do not know how to manually remove WGA. You may want to try RemoveWGA, a free tool to remove WGA notification.
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August 14th, 2006 at 3:23 pm
The best way i can see (in the middle of trying) As soon as you see any sign, unplug ethernet/modem and restore system. Then re boot and clean out, making sure is fully clean. Re-name system. Re-name IP, making sure different country:P (is that even possible) rename all generals and replug ethernet/modem. That means they cant track you:P
>>=P
August 14th, 2006 at 3:33 pm
*doesnt work*
April 26th, 2007 at 5:48 pm
I hate windows Genuine advantage
December 13th, 2007 at 10:46 am
thxs Asif :-*
May 30th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
tnx …it really work ^^ thank you very much ^^ i Hate Windows Genuine Advantage