Disable and Remove Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications Nag Screen
This page has been updated, visit the new article on how to bypass and disable the WGA or way to make your Windows genuine permanently.
Microsoft has released WGA Notifications application which effectively turned Microsoft Windows operating system into a ‘nagware’, with a “This copy of Windows is not genuine” warning. What the Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications application does what it will check your Microsoft Windows XP validity. If it found that the copy of Windows XP is not validated, not genuine, counterfeit, unlicensed, pirated, illegal, unauthorised or simply failed the Windows Genuine Advantage validation process, then the notification messages will appear at various places and time.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purpose only, as most information is found on various part of Internet. Readers should contacts Microsoft if their licensed or OEM software cannot be validated or purchase genuine software.
When you log on to a non-genuine copy of Windows XP, the following notification error message “This copy of Windows is not genuine” will pop-up on the logon process:
And the nicely said “You may be a victim of software counterfeiting” message on the bottom right corner of log-in screen:
Microsoft allows Windows faithfuls to have 2 options: Get Genuine or Resolve Later. Click on Resolve Later will temporarily bypass the notification and let you login into and use Windows nagged with notification icon and messages, which will randomly appear as balloon notification message with an icon in the notification area (system tray).
Clicking on the balloon notification or the notification area icon will lead you to the Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Failure Web page that contains the specifics of the validation failure and the steps that you can take to make the operating system genuine.
To get rid of the WGA notifications that intends to remind you that your Windows is not validated, you can buy a validly licensed copy of genuine Microsoft Windows.
Update: Bypass WGA Validation with Crack or Hack and Disable WGA Notifications Warning Message Workarounds
Latest Version: 1.5.554.0 on October 2006 (distribute to some computers with no known roll-out pattern), 1.5.708.0 on September 2006 (distribute to whoever wants to download from Microsoft Download Center), 1.5.540.0 on 28th June 2006, 1.5.532.2 on 6th June 2006, 1.5.532.0 on 30th May 2006, 1.5.530.0 on 23rd May 2006, 1.5.526.0 on 26th April 2006.
More information on WGA Validation Tool (KB892130) and WGA Notifications (KB905474) which install LegitCheckControl.dll, WgaLogon.dll and WgaTray.exe.
With new release of WGA, some methods no longer works, and some has been updated. Several methods that has certain success on certain people, you may try until you success.
Official Method by Microsoft - more information here.
First Method
- Lauch Windows Task Manager.
- End wgatray.exe process in Task Manager.
- Restart Windows XP in Safe Mode.
- Delete WgaTray.exe from c:\Windows\System32.
- Delete WgaTray.exe from c:\Windows\System32\dllcache.
- Lauch RegEdit.
- Browse to the following location:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Notify - Delete the folder ‘WgaLogon’ and all its contents
- Reboot Windows XP.
Note: With this method, you may be prompted to install WGA Notifications again which can still be unselected.
Second Method
Another alternative suggested by dman is by using System Restore to restore the PC to a previous restore point that WGA Notifications hasn’t kicked in, and then carefully stop KB905474 from been applied to the system. To use System Restore, go to Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> System Restore.
Note: Again, you may be prompted again to install WGA Notification, so it must be bypassed.
Third Method updated
This method involves using a cracked version of LegitCheckControl.dll to replace the original copy of LegitCheckControl.dll, and thus bypass the WGA validation and make Microsoft believes that your copy of Windows is genuine. To get rid of WGA Notifications warning messages, the patched version of WgaLogon.dll and WgaTray.exe to replace the existing files.
To apply the patch by replacing the files manually, try to end the respective processes in the Task Manager before deleting the existing files. Most likely is you will have to restart your PC in Safe Mode in order to replacing the original copy of LegitCheckControl.dll and related files. However, there has been automatic updater and even cracked WGA installer that automatically apply the patched version of WGA files.
Latest Update for WGA version 1.5.708.0 latest
Download cracked and patched version of LegitCheckControl.dll with thanks to Danny.
Latest Update for WGA version 1.5.554.0 latest
Download cracked and patched version of LegitCheckControl.dll, WgaLogon.dll and WgaTray.exe for v1.5.554.0 of Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool and WGA Notifications.
John suggested that it may be rolled out to reduce the frequency of ‘phone home’ feature. BetaNews has confirmed this and says Microsoft has completed the pilot phase for WGA Notifications, officially rolling out the anti-piracy reminders to Windows XP users worldwide. Anyway if Notifications Tools is patched, it won’t callbacks at all. Swissboy found that now there are 15 languages supported for KB905474 and offers solution.
General release version of Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications also has updated EULA which says installing of this update is optional. However, once installed, the update will become a permanent part of your Windows XP software, means you can’t uninstall it. The EULA also confirms that information about your system will be sent to Microsoft. You can just skip installing the KB905474 by clicking “I Decline” when shown the EULA. If you don’t want the Automatic Updates or Windows Updates to try install WGA Notifications again, click Don’t ask me to install these updates again at Decline EULA window.
Latest Update for WGA version 1.5.532.2
Version 1.5.532.2 of WGA Validation Tool and WGA Notifications is NOT YET mass released to all Windows system, so your system may not have this version.
WindowsXP-KB905474-ENU-x86-1.5.532.2-noWGA.exe (as suggested by swissboy) is the original setup of KB905474, but with the 3 files as mentioned above replaced with patched version and re-packed. You can view the contents with WinRAR or 7-Zip. Download here or here. (Removed due to compliant from Microsoft)
LegitCheckControl.dll-v1.5.532.2-Jun-02-2006.zip (as suggested by swissboy) contains hacked version of LegitCheckControl.dll which you have to replace manually over the existing dll in \Windows\System32 folder. Download here or here. (Deleted due to complaint from Microsoft)
new More automated WGA removal tool: RemoveWGA
Latest Update for WGA version 1.5.532.0
LegitCheckControl1.5.532.0.muiz.fixed.rar (suggested by Picard) is the patched LegitCheckControl.dll and can be download here or here (removed due to complaint from Microsoft).
If LegitCheckControl.dll alone doesn’t work, try to patch the other two WGA files too, namely WgaLogon.dll and WgaTray.exe. Download the the patches for 3 files here or here (Removed due to complaint from Microsoft). Overwrite the original files with these hacked version in \Windows\System32 folder. The patch should remove notifications nag screen and allows Windows Update.
There are also several automated tools that save the dirty works of have to manually overwrites and replaces the WGA applications.
WGAPatch905474 (suggested by SilverBullet) contains 905474.exe that will patch Windows to allow access to full (custom) Windows Update and get rid of nag screen. Download 905474.exe here or here (removed due to complaint from Microsoft).
There are also several patched WGANotify KB905474 installation setup which will install KB905474 WGAnotify with the 3 patched WGA files namely LegitCheckControl.dll, WgaLogon.dll and WgaTray.exe. One of them is HotFix windowsxp-kb905474-enu-x86.exe suggested by DeaDMan Walking, which will after install, disable notifications nag screen and allows update. Download here, here or here (removed coz of Microsoft complaint).
WindowsXP-KB905474-ENU-x86-v1.5.532.0-noWGA.exe (suggested by Swissboy) is also the patched KB905474 setup file which is actually the original setup of KB905474, but with the 3 files replaced. Download it here or here (removed due to Microsoft compliant).
Old Updates
Version 1.5.530.0 of cracked LegitCheckControl.dll (suggested by chucko), can also be downloaded here or here (obsolete links, visit here for updates).
Use the latest cracked LegitCheckControl.dll by searching for “Windows.Genuine.Advantage.Validation.v1.5.526.0.CRACKED-ETH0″. Can also be downloaded here (obsolete link, update here). Cracked LegitCheckControl.dll also available here or here (obsolete links, updates available here). Once download the cracked dll, replace the LegitCheckControl.dll in \Windows\System32 folder with the cracked version. You may need to restart your PC in safe mode to replace the files.
Forth Method
Jules found that by disabling and renaming the files ‘WgaLogon.dll’ and ‘WgaTray.exe’ in C:\WINDOWS\system32 folder by using the program Unlocker seems to get rid of all the nags/popups.
Fifth Method
Clear the contents or create a new empty data.dat for WGA, and make data.dat Read-Only and Hidden as detailed here.
The following step basically is the same with the above data.dat method, only different is that you no need to create any file in the WGA data folder:
- Launch Windows Explorer and go to C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Windows Genuine Advantage\data
- Go to Tools -> Folder Option -> View.
- Select (click) Show Hidden Files and Folders option.
- Unselect (uncheck) Hide Protected Operating System Files option.
- Click OK.
- Delete everything in the data folder.
- Right click on data folder, and select Properties.
- Select (Check) Read-Only as the folder’s atributes.
- Click OK or Apply.
Update: After 30 May 2006 with the release of WGA 1.5.532.0, this method no longer works. If the data.dat is set to “Read-Only”, WGA may complains that the serial key from the file could not be read, making the WGA validation failed even with the cracked dll files. So just delete the file (and make sure the folder is not set to “Read-Only”), WGA will then automatically regenerate the file and create the key, so you will pass the validation if you have the correct patched dll installed.
Sixth Method
Another alternative suggest that three files are installed Windows XP System Folder for WGA:
\WINDOWS\system32\WgaLogon.dll
\WINDOWS\system32\WgaTray.exe
\WINDOWS\system32\LegitCheckControl.dll
The wgatray.exe process makes the check for genuine windows software. If WgaLogon.dll is denied execution right, that WinLogon is unable to call it to check on Windows validity and display notification package at boot, and since WgaLogon is also responsible for running and maintaining WgaTray.exe, no more tray popups either.
To change and disable the execute bit of WgaLogon.dll:
- Turn off Simple File Sharing in Tools -> Folder Options -> View tab.
- Right click WgaLogon.dll in Windows Explorer and open the Security Tab.
- Click Advanced button.
- Uncheck the Inherit box at the bottom.
- Click the Copy button.
- Click OK.
- Go through each listed user/group and remove the “Read & Execute” permission for WgaLogon.dll, leaving the “Read” permission as-is.
- Click OK to apply the permission changes.
- Close the file properties dialog.
- Restart the computer.
- Turn “Use simple file sharing” on (optional).
Optionally, steps suggested by PSNet which has the same effect - disabling WgaLogon.dll.
Note: Visit the a more tidy article on how to bypass and disable the WGA with various tricks and hacks or a host redirect method to make Windows genuine permanently.
More on…
Page 2: More methods and suggestions to bypass WGA
Page 3: How you can ‘upgrade’ the version of cracked DLLs by yourself
Share and contribute or get technical support and help at My Digital Life Forums.
Related Articles
- Crack and Patch to Bypass and Disable WGA Genuine Windows Validation and Notifications version 1.5.554.0
- Crack for Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications (KB905474) 1.7.17.0
- Bypass and Disable Genuine Windows Validation Check
- Cracked LegitCheckControl.dll 1.7.59.0 for WGA Validation by ETH0
- Download Microsoft Software from Download Center Bypass and Without Genuine Windows Validation
- Windows Genuine Advantage Crack for WGA 1.5.722.0
- Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) Validation v1.7.69.1 Update
- Firewall Leak Tester RemoveWGA Stop Microsoft WGA Notifications Callbacks & Phones Home
- Windows Genuine Advantage Crack 1.7.18.5
- Download Windows.Genuine.Advantage.Validation.v1.7.59.1.CRACKED-ETH0 WGA Cracks
Entries (RSS)
June 28th, 2006 19:36
hi guys,
i downloaded the ghost 168 patch and all seemed well.. iwas able to download the IE7 beta from MS site..but when i try to install the package, it again asks for the validation and this time validation failed..what shud i do?
P.S: I was able to pass the WGA test while downloading.
June 28th, 2006 19:04
What about the WgaPatch from Ghost168, has someone analysed it?
June 28th, 2006 18:09
@All
WGA Notification v 1.5.540.0.
What problems? It is already cracked. Take my universal patcher.
http://youri-pal.narod.ru/Downloads/
June 28th, 2006 16:00
How about those that only have Service Pack 2 installed and want to download Windows Defender, what can those do to bypass WGA?
June 28th, 2006 12:04
[...] Remember when Windows Genuine Advantage became nagware, notifying you over and over again when it thought your copy of Windows wasn’t legitimate? And remember when it started “checking in” with Microsoft every day? All’s fair in the name of anti-piracy, Microsoft seems to be saying, and the latest rumor is that this fall Microsoft will make WGA mandatory on all Windows PCs, and what’s more, will introduce a “kill switch” for Windows that will cause the operating system to stop working if the currently optional anti-piracy ‘feature” isn’t installed. Sounds peachy, huh? ZDNet blogger Ed Bott has more details. (P.S. If you’re currently in WGA notification hell, My Digital Life has 15 ways to kill the WGA nag screen.) [...]
June 28th, 2006 10:42
[...] ZDNet blogger Ed Bott has more details. Not really sure how the users and hackers going to react about this issue. But if you’re still nagged by WGA notifications Digital Life has 15ways to kill the WGA nagging. [...]
June 28th, 2006 07:31
Nice trick first version was from MUIZ
i think big credits goto him for his awesome idea.
thx muiz
June 28th, 2006 06:22
[...] Remember when Windows Genuine Advantage became nagware, notifying you over and over again when it thought your copy of Windows wasn’t legitimate? And remember when it started “checking in” with Microsoft every day? All’s fair in the name of anti-piracy, Microsoft seems to be saying, and the latest rumor is that this fall Microsoft will make WGA mandatory on all Windows PCs, and what’s more, will introduce a “kill switch” for Windows that will cause the operating system to stop working if the currently optional anti-piracy ‘feature” isn’t installed. Sounds peachy, huh? ZDNet blogger Ed Bott has more details. (P.S. If you’re currently in WGA notification hell, My Digital Life has 15 ways to kill the WGA nag screen.) [...]
June 28th, 2006 05:46
@deyg: The Download work for me.
Please read about the error message “Download-session invalid. Please click here.” the comment #342 on page 14 posted by Administrator.
June 28th, 2006 05:23
@swissboy
The rapidshare site is throwing errors- download session invalid .
Can we have it some place else ?
June 28th, 2006 04:24
New Version 1.5.540.0 of Windows Genuine Advantage Notification KB905474
The setup ist the original setup of KB905474, just with the 3 files replaced and new packed (can be also unpacked with WinRAR or 7-Zip).
Simply install the patched Update KB905474 v1.5.540.0, decribed as the ‘Third Method’ and all your problems and questions are gone.
Download here (790KB):
http://rapidshare.de/files/24305148/NoNag155400.zip.html
June 28th, 2006 04:18
@John
He does insult people, here is what he said to Matt - “Sorry, but your offer ist crap”
@swissboy
Whats senseless are your comments to users and others offering solution. You did not answer the question, im not surprised, but ill ask it again. You keep repeating that any solution using the ETH0 fix is crap. Beyond your nonsensical reason of “its old” can you give us a more technical and sound reason on why ETH0 should not be used given that it IS working properly for everyone?
June 28th, 2006 02:36
Thanks John!
It’s true, a new version 1.5.540.0 of the WGA Notification Update KB905474 is available!
The main reason for this seems to be that now 15 langueages for the notification are supported (before only 7).
Im working already on it, I hope in maybe two hours you can find here my patched Update v1.5.540.0 for download!
@alexis: John explain you already one of the main reasons. Their also many others, but I don’t spend time for senseless diskusions like this.
June 28th, 2006 02:00
As at 27th June, Windows Update is offering a new WGA notifications as a critical update - even if the user has the 1.5.532.2 fixed install.
I suspect that this is the update that reduces the “phone home” frequency, (and in any event, it can be declined and hidden). Does anyone know otherwise?
June 28th, 2006 01:36
@John
Yes he is, i quote his comment to Matt -> “Sorry, but your offer ist crap” .
He goes on and on calling other methods and peoples efforts crap without any sort of justification.
I repeat that Matt’s file worked perfectly for me.
June 27th, 2006 23:10
I don’t think anyone is insulting anyone else.
Essentially, there are two approaches to this issue. Either run an exe program that does everything for you, or get the appropriate patched files and install them manually.
It looks like MS have not rolled out the 1.5.532.2 everywhere, so some older methods might or might not work. If you want to sort things out with one operation, and be sure it will work, then the easiest way to do it is to get the 1.5.532.2 exe file.
June 27th, 2006 21:44
@Matt
Thanks mate, worked great.
@swissboy
why do you keep insulting people who have methods different than yours? There are 14 different methods listed on this page, yet you act like a little brat when someone chooses a method different than yours.
And what do you exactly have against the ETH0 DLL? Just coz its based on an earlier version? Its working isnt it?! I can go to MS Update and install updates just fine using Matt’s patch, so give us a reason other than “its old” why we should not use ETH0 or shut up.
June 26th, 2006 23:01
@mood: The patched Update below should also work with MCE.
Simply install the patched Update KB905474 v1.5.532.2, decribed as the ‘Third Method’ and all your problems and questions are gone. Download also here (794KB):
http://rapidshare.de/files/24001364/NoNag155322.zip.html
@HANDLE: Now the detection of the file data.dat in non-english versions of Windows XP work correct. Thanks, now your patcher work very fine!
@Ghost168: If I unpack your “WgaPatch905474.exe” I get a “Download.exe”. Very suspect! What sould this and what make your WgaPatch exactly?
June 26th, 2006 20:31
can these examples also be use with media center?
June 26th, 2006 16:10
http://ghost168.bravehost.com/WgaPatch905474.zip
June 26th, 2006 08:20
[...] Disable and Remove Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications Nag Screen - My Digital Life circumvent WGA [...]
June 25th, 2006 13:27
Universal patcher/killer for Windows Genuine Advantage and Office Genuine Advantage.
Version 1.5.532.2. English interface. It will be probably suitable for versions releazed later.
Corrected a detection method the file data.dat for non-english versions of Windows XP.
No Microsoft nag screen. Microsoft will not spy on users.
http:/youri-pal.narod.ru/Downloads/
June 25th, 2006 12:42
@swissboy
I have corrected a detect method of the file data.dat
June 25th, 2006 08:52
swissboy wat r u talking about my Patch is working Fine i just tested it today! Its FINE!
Im just adding a link to my patcher so it can allow Pirated PC to get genuine products not Nagg removes!
WGA Patch is fine thank you!
June 25th, 2006 02:40
@Matt: Sorry, but your offer ist crap. It’s not a patcher, it is just a old patched version 1.5.530.0 (actual is 1.5.532.2) of the LegitCheckControl.dll cracked bei ETH0. And this one is finally based in the very old version 1.3.254.0.
@All: Don’t use this one! Simply install the patched Update KB905474 v1.5.532.2, decribed as the ‘Third Method’ and all your problems and questions are gone. Download also here (794KB):
http://rapidshare.de/files/24001364/NoNag155322.zip.html