How to Uninstall and Remove KB971033 Windows 7 Activation Update (WATu)
Microsoft has released an update to Windows 7 Activation Technologies (KB971033), which improves its effectiveness and success rate to detect more than 70 known and potentially dangerous activation bypasses, cracks or exploits.
For Windows 7 users who are using counterfeit or pirated copies of Windows 7 on the machine, the KB971033 can potentially causing havoc to the computer system, including frequent and persistent nag message on screen to remind users to go genuine.
For non-genuine or illegal copy Windows 7 users, the best and recommended approach is not to install KB970133 update, which delivers that WATu (WAT update). For user who has installed the KB970133, here’s the guide to remove and uninstall the KB970133 update package, as the KB970133 is not an mandatory update. The procedure is similar to how any updates and hotfixes can be removed.
- Go to Control Panel -> Programs -> Programs and Features -> Uninstall a program.
- Click on the View Installed Updates on the left pane.
- Select and highlight the Update for Microsoft Windows (KB971033).
- Click on Uninstall.
- The K971033 will be deleted from the system.
The package can also be uninstalled through elevated command prompt with administrator privileges:
x86 (32-bit) system:
dism /online /remove-package /PackageName:Microsoft-Windows-Security-WindowsActivationTechnologies-Package~31bf3856ad364e35~x86~~7.1.7600.16395
x64 (64-bit) system:
dism /online /remove-package /PackageName:Microsoft-Windows-Security-WindowsActivationTechnologies-Package~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~7.1.7600.16395
Note that even your system has been flagged as non-genuine, removing the KB971033 WAT update won’t make the system genuine again. The best workaround for non-genuine system is to remove any crack, hack or loader that been the source of being flagged by WATu, then perform a rearm (reset the remaining rearm count if all rearms allowed is been used up or depleted). If you have a valid and legitimate product key, change the product key. Then, perform a force validation re-check to validate the system again by running the following command in elevated command prompt with administrator rights:
%SystemRoot%\system32\Wat\WatAdminSvc.exe /run
Validation takes 2-5 minutes to complete, and you may have to log out or reboot for all nags to disappear.
Other alternative is to do a system restore to a restore point prior to KB971033 been installed. Or, simply remove the failed crack or loader, and install a new crack or OEM BIOS loader for Windows 7 which works, and then re-validate the system with command above.
Anyway, Windows 7 SP1 is going to include KB971033 by default. By then, KB971033 WAT update is unlikely to be separable nor uninstallable. However, users can choose to disable WATu files without uninstalling with the following command (run in elevated command prompt with administrator privileges):
takeown /f "%windir%\System32\Wat\*" && icacls "%windir%\System32\Wat\*" /deny *S-1-1-0:F
And, delete the scheduled tasks used by WAT to run validation checks. WATu uses Task Shedualer to validate the system right after reboot when first installed and again every 90 days. To disable the associated tasks, run the following commands in elevated command prompt with administrator rights:
schtasks /change /disable /tn "\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Activation Technologies\ValidationTask" && schtasks /change /disable /tn "\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Activation Technologies\ValidationTaskDeadline"
Related posts:
- WAT Update (KB971033) Disables Windows 7 Activation Cracks with Dynamic Signature
- Uninstall or Remove Windows Vista Validation Update (KB929391) and Workarounds
- Uninstall & Remove Windows XP Updates With Windows Update Remover
- How to Uninstall and Remove OEM BIOS Emulation Driver Activation Exploit/Crack
- Remove and Uninstall Windows Messenger
Thanks!
The command line rows are pure gold for me!!! *___*
Hey this dose not work on my laptop but it worked just fine on my other pc, any ideas?
both running win7 ultimate sp1 build 7601
Hi guys, I just want to take the time out to say a big THANKYOU very very much to your awesome post! I have successfully reversed the crappy bloat ware which said system isnt genuine lol. I owned the Ultimate edition and lost it a week back. Rang Microsoft and they said you need to buy it again lol. Screw that. Anyhow just want to point out that these dont work after removing the KB971033 update.
schtasks /change /disable /tn "MicrosoftWindowsWindows Activation TechnologiesValidationTask" && schtasks /change /disable /tn "MicrosoftWindowsWindows Activation TechnologiesValidationTaskDeadline"
takeown /f "%windir%System32Wat*" && icacls "%windir%System32Wat*" /deny *S-1-1-0:F
Cheers guys,
Aidan
Oh yay, thanks for the post. may need to use the steps outlined.
I saw it on one of our x86 machines but not on my x64 machine. I just checked today, May 26th 2011. It is not even in the hidden updates. Huh. ?
[...] be available to all Windows 7 and Windows Vista systems in the end. After installed, user can still uninstall the KB971033 easily, however, once the system is flagged as fraudulent, not genuine, pirated or illegal, it will [...]
Thank you very much for good and easy step by step guide!
i had that problem i just deleted the WAT from the system:)and now it says that if i want to to something whit WAT ps sorry for my bad english
Microsoft Windows [Version 6.1.7600]
Autoriõigus (c) 2009 Microsoft Corporation. Kõik õigused kaitstud.
ERROR: The specified task name "MicrosoftWindowsWindows Activation Technologi
esValidationTask" does not exist in the system.
would a key for win7 home basic work? my sister has a laptop with win7 home basic and normally they put the key under the laptop and wonder if it would work
MANDATOY PATCH
Out freaking standing! After years of BSD testing of Microsux beta crapware insecure BS money grubbing market controlling …
??Wait??
Is this turning into a rant? My apologies.
Thank you for your efforts to "balance the books, ", and keep me from having to deploy my totally deficient Linux knowledge in an office environment.
The update is a important update. AKA mandatory.
Gr8 post !!!!
thanks!!!!
nice post…
thank u