genuine XP?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guest
  • Start date Start date
G

Guest

Today, a Microsoft icon appeared in the bottom bar and a now a bubble keeps
appearing telling me that, I may have a counterfeit copy of Windows XP. Which
I dont!
The bubble keeps aking me to click on it, to resolve the problem.

Is this spyware and will I be letting something nasty into my computer if I
click the baloon?

Is this common and how do I get rid of it?
 
Yes, it is spyware. Microsoft sneaked it in among its critical and important
updates. It checks your computer and reports back info to Microsoft.
Microsoft computers check to see if your product key is on their black list.
If it is, you get the notifications.

The whole concept is flawed and Microsoft shouldn't have done it. Yes, there
are positives. Also, the information sent back to Microsoft is "a lot" and
compromises privacy. It is better to not allow "Windows Genuine Advantage
Notifications" to install in the first place.

There's two similarly named things: WGA and WGA Notifications. WGA is a
check that you allow .. WGA Notifications is Microsoft spying on you. WGA
Notifications doens't have to be installed, but most people don't notice it
as it is slipped in with critical and important updates. All's you need have
done is uncheck it and it wouldn't have installed .. but you didn't notice
the sneaky little thing. Now that it is installed, try removing it - ha ha!

[Description of the Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications application]
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=905474

You don't need WGA Notifications as Microsoft has provided a way to check
anyway:

[The Windows Genuine Advantage]
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/downloads/whyValidate.aspx

[WGA FAQ]
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/downloads/FAQ.aspx
 
Hi Mary,

Go back where and get the latest critical updates. How? Where?
Please help me.
 
Description of the Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications application
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/905474/


On the computer in question:

Please follow this diagnostic troubleshooting procedure:

1. Download and run the MGA Diagnostic Tool:
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=52012

2. After running the MGA Diagnostic Tool, click
on the "Windows" tab and then click on "Copy to Clipboard".

3. Next, visit the following website and create a post in the
"WGA Validation Problems" forum and paste the
results of the WGA Diagnostic Data in a detailed post.
http://forums.microsoft.com/Genuine/default.aspx?SiteID=25

4. A WGA troubleshooting specialist will analyze the data and
recommend an appropriate solution.


--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User

Enjoy all the benefits of genuine Microsoft software:
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/default.mspx

---------------------------------------------------------------------------­---------------------------------

:

| Today, a Microsoft icon appeared in the bottom bar and a now a bubble keeps
| appearing telling me that, I may have a counterfeit copy of Windows XP. Which
| I dont!
| The bubble keeps aking me to click on it, to resolve the problem.
|
| Is this spyware and will I be letting something nasty into my computer if I
| click the baloon?
|
| Is this common and how do I get rid of it?
 
Jeeez Carey Frisch she does not even know how to get to Windows
Update. Someone already told her how to fix it without your copy and
paste answers to a different question.
 
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