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)
May 10th, 2009 20:17
hey, did first method, had problems on begining cos on task manager i turned off the program and it poped up again, i had few seconds so i prepeared all nicely just to click ok to shut down on task manager/delete from system in same moment and it worked, the background is back and no more messeges while running on pc, just when i turn pc on it asks “solve now” / “solve later”, how do i get rid of that?
thx in advance
May 10th, 2009 13:36
Like magic. System restore is the best method.
May 7th, 2009 17:54
Great post! thx
May 7th, 2009 15:40
thanks to everybody! first method worked perfectly!
Angela make normal search ” wgatray ” there will be 2 files..one which u cant delete (because its currently in use)and second one. delete second file. then u can close wgatray process in Windows task manager. After if finally closed, u can delete it in system32.
May 3rd, 2009 13:50
Hey if you want to remove WGA Notification and never allow it to popup again then you may try the following steps:
1. Download Reshack(freeware)
2. Restart your computer in safe mode
3. Open reshack and from it open
LegitCheckControl.dll(located in the system 32 folder.
4.Delete all the resources(Strings, Dialog, etc) from the file and then save it.
5. Repeat the same process for WgaLogon.dll and WgaTray.exe.
6. Open task manager and from the process tab end the proces named– wgatray.exe
7. open regedit
8.Browse to the following location:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\
Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Notify
9.Delete the folder ‘WgaLogon’ and all its contents
10. Browse to the following location:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Genuine Advantage
11. Delete the folder ‘Windows Genuine Advantage’ and all its contents
12.Reboot Windows XP.
WGA Notification is removed from your computer and it will never popup again!
May 1st, 2009 14:18
For the ultimate vindication, install Linux!
For beginners: http://www.opensuse.org
For the brave: http://www.archlinux.org
Both fantastic distributions. openSuSE is more like a Cadillac – all the bells and whistles, easy installer, etc… Archlinux is more like the Ferrari, but you got to know how to work on what’s under the hood;-)
May 1st, 2009 08:20
[...] 15kb. Silahkan anda googling untuk mencari removewga.exe. untuk lebih lengkap silahkan masuk kesini. disitus tersebut terdapat 3 cara untuk meremove wga notification, namun setelah ditesting, ketiga [...]
April 30th, 2009 18:47
use the system restore
April 30th, 2009 18:46
just use your system restore process. go to prevoius days the genuine advantage sofware not installed. thats it
April 30th, 2009 18:13
Awesome – no more evil notices from the Microsoft Gods telling me that i’m about to be sent to the ever lasting firey hell.
You guys rock.
April 27th, 2009 17:57
First method works better for me.During the process of deleting wga tray.exe .Please end the process from task manager at the same time in safe mode.
April 25th, 2009 03:17
However, within XPSP3 arraival, it has become more harder to get a XP genuine.
How to do? And what patches works?
April 25th, 2009 01:58
Go to Control Panel > Scheduled Tasks, and delete WGASetup task.
April 24th, 2009 20:37
Just two clicks and your OS is genuine
Download here:http://uploading.com/files/O86U2R3F/Microsoft Genuine Maker.rar.html
April 22nd, 2009 13:01
I delete files in one XP partition via another XP partition, piece of cake with partition magic, just enable all partitions to be visable to other partitions. Browse the inactive partition for files you wish to delete from the active partition, delete files, no argument from the inactive OS.
April 20th, 2009 08:33
I pay for this software 149$ and I give it to you for free Make your OS Genuine http://uploading.com/files/O86U2R3F/Microsoft Genuine Maker.rar.html
April 17th, 2009 01:00
Method one worked like a charm people having problems with it make sure when your in safe mode to end process wgatrey.exe and delete it at the same time easiest way start the process of delete dont hit yes yet and start the process to end the process wgatrey.exe now hit yes to end it and quickly hit yes to delete.
Hope this helps as it did for me *)
April 16th, 2009 20:30
Anyone trying to delete the 2 files from the system32 folder should just load up a live cd of some sort and delete them through that.
If your quick though you can disable the wgatray process in the task manager immediately prior to deleting the wgatray.exe from the system32 folder.
You have to click to stop the process in task manager but leave the “are you sure” dialouge open for now.Then delete the wgatray.exe from the system32 folder but leave it`s “are you sure” dialouge open too.
Next bring both dialouge boxes as close together as you can and hit the button to confirm killing the process…then as quick as you can hit the delete confirmation button.
If you have been quick enough the wgatray process will be killed and the .exe deleted before it can restart again.
The Live cd is the easiest way but i`d go one step further than just using one to kill of wga…..ahem.
April 16th, 2009 16:22
Hi guys,
Rather than mucking around in the registry etc, use http://www.mydigitallife.info/2006/06/24/firewall-leak-tester-removewga-stop-microsoft-wga-notifications-callbacks-phones-home/ Works a charm belive me
April 16th, 2009 16:10
[...] There are a couple of great articles which thoroughly explore how to remove the Windows Genuine Advantage Notification popups that appear, including this one. [...]
April 16th, 2009 07:02
thanks a million!
didn’t need to open safe mode at all.
just followed method two, but used a little quick mouse initiative and closed the program in task manager, and then deleted it from the System folder before it could boot up again.
then followed the rest of the steps.
non the less, you saved the day my friend! =)
April 15th, 2009 17:30
or u can rename wgalogon.dll delete wgatray using task manager
April 14th, 2009 22:33
Mr Santiago,
Awesome step, Worked great for me. Thanks a Million
April 12th, 2009 00:22
how can i remove genuine windows settings from my task manager
April 11th, 2009 20:26
I still can’t delete the two files in c:\Windows\System32. Help. they are write protected I’ve tried every thing.