Windows Genuine Advantage

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computing: software: Microsoft: Windows: WGA

Overview

Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) is a service provided by Microsoft which allows users of Microsoft Windows to use certain online services including Windows Update. Microsoft requires copies of Windows to be validated before it will grant access to WGA services.

Notes

Is WGA a "service" or a "set of services"? Does validation take place each time a service is accessed? If so, is input required from the user, or is the process transparent? My understanding was that once an installation of Windows has been validated, the services included in WGA will then recognize that installation as valid, with no further intervention, but the wording in Wikipedia isn't entirely clear on this point. At some point I'll check Microsoft's wording on the issue, but I don't expect that to be much better. --Woozle 14:54, 2 July 2006 (EDT)

Reference

• Wikipedia
• Cube Computer Services (wiki): troubleshooting tips

News

• 2007-08-25 Windows Genuine Advantage Server Down Worldwide
• 2006-07-30 Update: Windows Genuine Advantage - What it is, how to ditch it (long article)
• 2006-06-28 User suing Microsoft over WGA notification, calling it spyware
• 2006-06-27 Is Microsoft about to release a Windows "kill switch"? by Ed Bott
  • Note that the updated response from Microsoft only says that they won't "turn off your computer", which is not the issue at hand; the issue is whether they will deactivate Windows.
• 2006-06-06 Images: Microsoft's shoddy Windows Genuine Advantage Installation Process by David Berlind
• 2005-08-01 Hackers bust Microsoft's anti-piracy system: "Hackers found a way around Microsoft's Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) anti-piracy system last week, only a day after the system went into effect."

Humor

• Linux Genuine Advantage™ "is an exciting and mandatory new way for you to place your computer under the remote control of an untrusted third party!"