Microsoft and there updates tricked me!

[Kev_Dawg]

Yep they tricked me, there new windows update genuine notifier thing was installed on my PC and then it said I have an illegal copy of XP, this I will not say if I do or not. The new update was released this month, it's a very annoying update because when you boot into windows you have to wait 5 seconds before you login. Once you logged in, it still bugs you, it hides on your tray and harasses you about your illegal copy of XP. Well, this bugged me so I did some research and I found out how to remove it, even people wif legal copies got this problem, how stupid of Microsoft. After I removed it in the registry which I hope I never screwed up anything hehe, it was gone for good and when I go to windows update again, I have to install that update again. Now that I know what the update is, I will not update my pc with that patch ever again haha.

[Sir Golitech]

I just have auto update on and set to "download, then notify me for installation". Never a problem.

[Jojo1971]

i used gpedit.mss and disabled all stuff pertaining to windows update....:)

[Just Learnin']

i used gpedit.mss and disabled all stuff pertaining to windows update....:)

You mean GPEDIT.MSC ? :scratch:

[alphanumeric]

I just have auto update on and set to "download, then notify me for installation". Never a problem.

That's the way I have mine setup too.
I like to see what I'm getting before I get got. ;)

[The Matador]

i have read of situations where when MS updates set to notify when there are updates has done it automatically without user/admin permission for some patches. I believe I saw this on Anandtech or Beta News.

Fo rme,with ligit XP pro copies (slipstreamed with SP2), use services.msc and disable atuo updates and bacground intelligent transfer services. UPdate MS on update Tuesday. I have many Software (otional) and Hardware recommendations that I do not use.

Why not nuke and boot drive and reinstall? IMage drive after everything in to same time.

Any recent hardware changes?

[3 of 7]

Just do a system restore to back before the update... Nice of them to give you an out eh?

[Snafu]

I had another authentication program lined up for download (yeah this is the second one :irk: ). I ignored it for a bit and lo and behold the bugger got downloaded anyhow.

Thanks Big Bro :irk:

[3 of 7]

If you want the updates without installing the WGA one, just install Belarc Advisor....
http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html
It'll tell you what updates you need and give you a link to access them (hint.... you have to use the "For IT professionals one")

[Just Learnin']

Use Autopatcher (http://www.autopatcher.com/).

[ol'norton]

Why can,t you just use the uninstall that comes with all the updates?

[Just Learnin']

Have you tried clicking on that in Add and Remove, says it can't be uninstalled.... :(

[ol'norton]

No I mean the Hidden uninstall files in the windows directory. the ones that show up in blue when you unselect the hide system operating files & hidden files.

[Just Learnin']

No I mean the Hidden uninstall files in the windows directory. the ones that show up in blue when you unselect the hide system operating files & hidden files.

Can you be more specific, which folder, file name? Have you tried this? :scratch:

[ol'norton]

Sorry just learning, That was my mistake. seems the genuine advantage is the only update without an uninstall program.
Which makes me think I need to get rid of it.

[Just Learnin']

Sorry just learning, That was my mistake. seems the genuine advantage is the only update without an uninstall program.
Which makes me think I need to get rid of it.
Don't be sorry, I have seen some "tools" people have made to remove it, http://www.firewallleaktester.com/removewga.htm Never tried them though. Thought maybe you had found a simpler method.

[ol'norton]

Seems like too much work for something I never knew I had.
Though I'm curious as to how it checks at boot up when it hasn't got access to the net at that time. surely it must just read a key in the registry that tells it if your software is legit. In which case why couldn't you just edit that key?

[Space-Junky]

I have a small exe that will remove this crap, I made it availiable from my server
http://grandmalade.com/prog/removeWGA.exe

download and run, it will ask you if you want it removed and wish to reboot
Note: windows update will try to reinstall it, make sure you set up your updates to ask before downloading and installing

custom instalation, uncheck WGA update and don't ask to notice later

[Space-Junky]

Just saw Learnin's last post, same prog, works fine :hide:

[MikeMartial]

This may be a completely n00b question, but will these uninstall programs remove SP2 safely and cleanly from Windows XP?

Or can that only be done with a clean install using a version of Windows without SP2?