Removing Wga

Removing Wga Location Windows Downloaded Program Files

#1 Scarlett

Bleeping Diva

Group: Members
Posts: 7,479
Joined: 25-April 04
Gender:Female
Location:As always I'm beside myself ;)

Posted 07 July 2006 - 11:50 AM

In my quest to find a easy way to rid my comp of WGA, I looked in Downloaded Program Files.
(As opposed to these complicated lenghty instructions.) http://support.microsoft.com/kb/921914

Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool is located in C:\WINDOWS\Downloaded Program Files.
When right clicking on it, there is an option to "Remove" .
Dare I try it?? lol Will it even work? Points to ponder.
Since I was still not quite sure, I created a restore point. Then googled for some info.

Hmm... look what I found. Straight from [Ha!] almighty M$ theirselves.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Windows Validation Assistant:
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/howtote...dation_faq.mspx

Quote

How do I uninstall the Windows Validation Assistant component from my computer?
Open the C:\Windows\Downloaded Program Files folder. On a Windows Server 2003 machine, right click on ProductIDGatherer.WindowsGatherer and select Remove. On a Windows XP machine, right click on Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool and select Remove. Please note: The path for the Downloaded Program Files folder could be different depending on your Windows installation folder.

It can not be removed via start > control panel > add/remove
(BTW The only thing that can not be uninstalled from there!)
or disabled in IE > tools > Manage add-ons.
Not on my system anyway even though it states in the dialog box:
"This add-on in managed by your Administrator"
Nonsense, I am in the administrator account!

Posted Image

LegitCheckControl.dll is also in the WGA folder in Downloaded Program Files
The right click option for it is "delete" Wondering if it would delete too...

Do any of you real techs (lol) have any thoughts on this?
Could doing so screw up my comp?
After all the info. is on Micro$oft.con oh I mean .com
If it would mess things up, would a sys. restore put things back in order?
Perhaps a reg backup should be made too??
Should I go for it?

This post has been edited by Scarlett: 07 July 2006 - 06:35 PM

#2 baronvongogo

New Member

Group: Members
Posts: 6
Joined: 09-July 06
Location:Cheshire, UK

Posted 10 July 2006 - 04:55 PM

Im not sure the policys of this forum on such matters so probably best to buy a real copy of windows xp :thumbsup:

#3 rms4evr

Distinguished Member

Group: Members
Posts: 811
Joined: 11-October 05
Gender:Female
Location:East Coast

Posted 10 July 2006 - 06:17 PM

Whoa...if it works, please let me know!! I don't want this cruddy program on my lappy!!!

baronvongogo, you may not know why those of us with legit copies of Win XP want this program gone. Read, and be angered:

WGA Check-ins

Microsoft admits WGA mess-up

Microsoft sued over WGA

There you go. That's why we want it gone!!!! :thumbsup:

#4 baronvongogo

New Member

Group: Members
Posts: 6
Joined: 09-July 06
Location:Cheshire, UK

Posted 11 July 2006 - 05:15 AM

I agree with you but some forums have rules about discussing the removal of the WGA.

#5 Scarlett

Bleeping Diva

Group: Members
Posts: 7,479
Joined: 25-April 04
Gender:Female
Location:As always I'm beside myself ;)

Posted 11 July 2006 - 03:12 PM

baronvongogo, on Jul 10 2006, 04:55 PM, said:

Im not sure the policys of this forum on such matters so probably best to buy a real copy of windows xp :thumbsup:

Hello baronvongogo :flowers:

I own a genuine copy of XP. I just wanted to make that clear. I wouldn't want anyone to think differently.

@rms4evr Well I have not tried it yet. lol A bit afraid what may happen if I did. :trumpet:

#6 tg1911

Lord Spam Magnet

Group: Site Admin
Posts: 18,421
Joined: 06-May 04
Gender:Male
Location:SW Louisiana

Posted 11 July 2006 - 10:17 PM

If there were rules about discussing the removal of the WGA on this site, I don't think a Moderator would have brought it up. :thumbsup:

MOBO: GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P, CPU: Phenom II X4 955 Deneb BE, HS/F: CoolerMaster V8, RAM: 2 x 1G Kingston HyperX DDR2 800, GPU: eVGA GeForce 9800 GTX+, PSU: Antec TruePower Modular 750W, Soundcard: Asus Xonar D1, Case: CoolerMaster COSMOS 1000, Storage: Internal - 2 x Seagate 250GB SATA, 2 x WD 1TB SATA; External - Seagate 500GB USB, WD 640GB eSATA, 3 x WD 1TB eSATA

Become a BleepingComputer fan: Facebook

#7 Scarlett

Bleeping Diva

Group: Members
Posts: 7,479
Joined: 25-April 04
Gender:Female
Location:As always I'm beside myself ;)

Posted 12 July 2006 - 05:57 PM

Thanks TG for defending my honor. :woot:

Ok all I removed Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool from
Downloaded Program Files. Just as M$ instructed. Funny thing is that
it did not go to the recycle bin as I thought it would. *Shrug
Now hmm... should I go after LegitCheckControl.dll or no? :inlove:

As much as I would love to, I think I will leave it be for now.

Before doing so I installed Microsoft July security updates.

I had a choice as to whether or not I wanted to install Genuine Advantage
and the Malicious Software Removal Tool. Which I opted out of both. ;)
I had them hidden as well.
They were again listed as "High Priority" updates. Go figure.

Now after I ran a second scan to see what would show.

Quote

Important

You've hidden important updates
You've asked us not to show you one or more high-priority updates but your computer might be at risk until they are installed. Restore them now <---- That is a link that guess what takes me straight
to M$ precious bit of spyware cloaked as a high priority update

Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool - June 2006 (KB890830) <--Is the one that shows.
Now should that be considered a high priority update as well??

Interesting that they continue to rate it as a high priority update.

:trumpet:

As a reminder to all

Microsoft security updates for July 2006
Published: July 11, 2006
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/u...ins/200607.mspx

This post has been edited by Scarlett: 12 July 2006 - 06:15 PM

#8 yano

I can see what you post!

Group: Members
Posts: 6,469
Joined: 14-February 05
Gender:Male

Posted 12 July 2006 - 07:07 PM

http://yanowhiz.googlepages.com/windowsgenuineadvantage

On there, is a link to a file which will remove the WGA. You will have to restart after using it. Also there are a list of what Windows calls home with and how to still get Windows Updates after removing the WGA.

My Blog : Opera Web Browser : OpenOffice.org