Windows validation notification eula

Yes, yet another version was released today. You are under no obligation to accept it- and you should still be able to get updates from MS if you decline it.

Better yet, MS has responded to feedback about the WGA Notification Tool (particularly its phoning home, and the inability to uninstall it). In a press release today they promise to let users remove it:

"For customers who choose not to install the updated package, and wish to remove an installed previous version, Microsoft has made available a set of instructions for removing previous versions of WGA Notifications from their PCs... These instructions are available as KB article # 921914on Microsoft.com."
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/features/2006/jun06/06-27WGA.mspx

I haven't been able to find that elusive KB921914 article yet.

joe53,did you read this in the eula? 3.  Validation.  This supplement also includes the Windows Genuine Advantage validation tool. The tool will check whether you have a properly licensed copy of Microsoft Windows XP (“Windows XP”) installed. Installation of the validation tool may be required in order to install certain Microsoft software or to use services such as Windows Update. If you have a properly licensed copy of Windows XP installed, you receive special benefits, which are listed on the following link: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=39157.  This sounds to me that if you do not accept this (even though you are not required to) you will be forced to in the end. I have a legit copy of windows that came installed on my Dell. I have been blocking all attempts by the notification tool with firewall up to this point with no ill effects.As I stated i have this in add\remove from the first install but i know several people that do not see this in add\remove on there machines.Will wait and see what others do with this and see how it pans out. Lee

Lee:

I never even got to the EULA. I just clicked on "don't show me this again".

But you almost surely have the WGA Validation Tool already: check in Control Panel>Add or Remove Programs (with "show updates" checked at the top). Scroll down to find "WGA Validation Tool    KB892130". At least for the present, that's all you need.

Note the difference: the Validation Tool is required to access all updates. The Notification Tool is not.

[Edit]  Found the link to uninstall WGA Notifications: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/921914

Message Edited by joe53 on 06-27-200607:29 PM

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@joe53 wrote:

Found the link to uninstall WGA Notifications: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/921914

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For a quick automated removal Flooby found the tiny utility here.

"but I have had this in add\remove for weeks now.KB905474"

If it's in your Add / Remove Programs, isn't it already installed?

And... regarding MS possibly blocking Win Updates to people who do not have KB905474, that opens those users to more viruses... I don't have sympathy for them if they're using a non legal copy of Windows, but viruses spread. MS not allowing people to be protected would hurt ALL Windows users as viruses spread... I hope that is not what they are doing....

hrova:

My understanding is that even if you don't have KB905474, you can still get all critical updates.

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@Denny Denham wrote:
For a quick automated removal Flooby found the tiny utility here.

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Denny, I also found and used that utility several days back. It worked as advertised, and hasn't interfered with subsequent updates from MSU. I recommend it over the MS removal instructions- it's much simpler.  You will still get prompts to download the WGA Notifications either way. Until it becomes absolutely necessary- just ignore them.

Ratz;

I'm guessing here, because I've never had any Notifications warnings, but I suspect the "Notifier Icon"  would appear in the bottom right in your systray.

What you quote however is old info.  Two newer ways of disabling the Notifications are linked to in the posts above.