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
Related Articles
- Official Ways to Disable or Manually Uninstall the Microsoft Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications from Microsoft
- Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) Validation Notifications KB905474 1.8.31.9 Crack
- Crack for Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications (KB905474) 1.7.17.0
- Remove, Bypass, Patch and Disable Microsoft Windows Genuine Advantage WGA Validation version 1.5.708.0 with LegitCheckControl.dll Crack
- Crack and Patch to Bypass and Disable WGA Genuine Windows Validation and Notifications version 1.5.554.0
- Windows Genuine Advantage Validation and Notifications 1.9.40.0 (WGA Patch Crack)
- Workaround to Disable and Remove OGA Office Not Genuine Notifications (Uninstall KB949810)
- Information on WGA Validation Tool (KB892130), WGA Notifications (KB905474) and Office Genuine Advantage (OGA)
- Windows Genuine Advantage Validation 1.5.723.1 Crack
- Download Windows Genuine Advantage Validation v1.8.32.0 WGA Crack
Entries (RSS)
March 11th, 2009 07:33
Thanks Jake, it worked like a charm.
No more nasty nag screens. F@#$ microsoft!!!
March 10th, 2009 03:39
Please help
(please read former mail below)
… I have now deleted ‘wgaLogon.dll’. Is that the same as C:\Windows\System32\dllcache? It was placed in C:\Windows\System32, Or should I restore it (its in my recycle bin)
Thanks
March 10th, 2009 03:29
Please help.
I removed genuine by use of method 1, but I could not find “:\Windows\System32\dllcache” and delete as point 5 in method 1 requires me to do. I completed all other points and the ’star’ is gone, but is this good enough or what should I do?
Method 1 – point 5. Delete WgaTray.exe from c:\Windows\System32\dllcache
Thanks
March 9th, 2009 18:08
Never mind. Just figured it out
March 9th, 2009 17:49
Hi,
Trying to use method 1, but what does it mean to “Lauch RegEdit.”? Please help. Not really that computersmart… thanks
March 9th, 2009 15:15
each time I closed the wgaTray.exe in the Task Manager as per method #1 it kept re-starting itself
I tried method #4 and it seem to have worked
Thanks!
March 1st, 2009 19:10
I say that the most simplest method to remove WGA from your computer is to follow the very first method given and then just adding to that also….
TURN OFF AUTOMATIC UPDATES.
your done removing it completely.. and it ain’t coming back.
February 26th, 2009 10:39
in version 1.8.31.9 i couldn’t delete the file in safe mode so I deleted the reg file in safe and rebooted. it has worked so far………….until the next fix.
February 25th, 2009 15:37
Dear hasit
Just click on start menu
In run command type regedit
then follow the same procedure which is mention in first solution.
First Method
1. Lauch Windows Task Manager.
2. End wgatray.exe process in Task Manager.
3. Restart Windows XP in Safe Mode.
4. Delete WgaTray.exe from c:\Windows\System32.
5. Delete WgaTray.exe from c:\Windows\System32\dllcache.
6. Lauch RegEdit.
7. Browse to the following location:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Notify
8. Delete the folder ‘WgaLogon’ and all its contents
9. Reboot
Windows XP.
February 25th, 2009 15:31
Thank you very much dude i got solution becoz of ur site……….
February 24th, 2009 21:15
Hi, I just deleted the blue star icon in the system tray that had the text “Get Genuine Office.” highlighted when the cursor goes over the top.
Even in safe mode I couldn’t delete the file in system32. Here’s what you do:
1. Open up C:\WINDOWS\System 32\
2. Open up the task manager, click the processes tab.
3. In the windows folder you opened in step 1, find the WgaTray.exe file and click it ONCE to highlight it.
4. Find the same process in the Task Manager, again clicking once to highlight it.
5. Now, you have to do this kinda quick (within a couple seconds anyway). Go back the the windows folder, delete the file. It will ask for confirmation to send it to the Recycle Bin.
6. Click “OK” then immediately switch to the Task Manager and click “End Process”.
7. It will end process and then delete the file. Then the blue star icon will disappear from your system tray.
Thanks for all the tips, that was actually really easy!!
February 24th, 2009 13:38
Dear my guys its no need to delete WgaTray.exe in safemode as I have faced this issue over three years ago by performing the windows update we all got this file to our pc I have simply deleted directly from system32 folder no need to worry anymore as it is nothing harmful just an nagging messages appears its simply we have simply untick the file named windows genuine or something like I dont remember as it was happened to me three years so simple it is
February 19th, 2009 13:35
It wouldn’t let me delete the WgaTray.exe file when I rebooted in safe mode, so I rebooted again in safe mode but this time asked for the command prompt. Then I relied on my rusty old MSDOS skills to delete the file with no problem. Rebooted and no more nagging messages! Thanks for the tips!
February 19th, 2009 04:07
The file wgaTray.exe would not delete. Instead I renamed the file to wga.exe and the file wga.ini seemed to disappear. I turned off my computer and rebooted and all was once again beautiful. I had a similar problem with Media Player 11. In add/remove programs, I deleted anything that said Windows Media Player 11, and it rolled me back to my previous version which is 10 and works just fine. Microsoft has no right to install spyware like they did. To hell with them. My next computer will be a Mac.
February 16th, 2009 11:14
Thanks So Much, 1st Method It’s work for me, pls careful when u end wgatray.exe process in task manager.It very quickly new wgatray.exe.
February 12th, 2009 14:31
email me at nabeel.liaqat@gmail.com
i will tell u…bye
February 12th, 2009 13:40
you can also manually delete the files namely…WgaLogon(2)(2).dll and WgaLogon.dll by going to the system 32 folder in C:WINDOWS folder.
i did that for mine and it worked….happy mending
February 9th, 2009 14:18
where is regedit.?
tnx
i cant find it
nid some help here
February 5th, 2009 07:35
Just FYI, “Forth” in “Forth Method” should be spelled “Fourth”. That “forth” means something totally different. Example: “Lazarus, come forth!”
Nevertheless, thanks so much for the information regarding WGA notification removal. Thankfully, I decided NOT to install the WGA update in the first place. So I don’t have to remove anything. Still, it’s good to know there’s a place (here) I can get information on how to remove it, if I ever need to.
February 2nd, 2009 13:25
Hey tanx crystal it worked foe me too
)
Cheers !!
January 27th, 2009 18:15
iam satisfied for ur suggestion.i sloved “microsoft geniune software counterfiting” problem. thanking you for support.
thanks,
b.anilkumar.
January 11th, 2009 21:17
artikel yang sangat bagus sekali dan sangat membantu.maturnuwun………
January 3rd, 2009 22:22
A very quick solution is to restore your system to an earlier date by going to
STart, All programs
Accessories
System Tools
System restore
and just pick a date that you know that warning wasn’t on there. You will not lose anything.
Then go in and change your windows update settings in the control panel, so that it doesn’t do it automatically, it let’s you know what it wants to download and install updates.
Never choose the Microsoft Genuine Software notification and it will never re-appear. Hopefully.
It worked for me!
January 2nd, 2009 20:44
I have some solutions to your problems too!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i know that if you end the process in the task manager you will have some troubles in using ur computer……
there are two main problems:
no.1=your desktop background turns black right???
no.2=the audio device does not function properly even if you already have it…
but theres one more;to others there audio device controls went gray…..i know all the solutions there hahaha!
EMAIL ME AT velascoaaron@yahoo.com when u want answers…..
January 1st, 2009 19:33
Here is my Metod: No.15 + Write Protect for the User “System” only for this entries:
1.Write this in regedit:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\WPAEvents]
“OOBETimer”=hex:ff,d5,71,d6,8b,6a,8d,6f,d5,33,93,fd
“LastWPAEventLogged”=hex:d5,07,05,00,06,00,07,00,0f,00,38,00,24,00,fd,02
2.Right klick on “WPAEvents” and set there Write Protect for the User “System”
The Aktivation is then forever!
The other Entries (Digital Product ID…)You can copy and paste from Your Original and aktivatet OEM PC (e.g.Notebook) and so You have copy your Legal OEM System to a second PC.
Thanks all, who help me!
The Rudi