Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool

[Jeff]

When notified that Windows security updates were available, I clicked on
Windows Update to get them as usual.

However, this time even though I selected "Custom" instead of the
default "Express", the update immediately went on to install "Windows
Genuine Advantage Validation Tool (KB892130)".

I was not given a choice to not accept or not accept this "update" as I
believe I have in the past. Because I read that installing WGA
validation tool can be a problem and quasi-impossible to remove, I
aborted the install of WGA - even though I have a valid Windows XP
installed on my PC.

Is installing WGA no longer an option and has now become compulsory?
Anyway to avoid the WGA spyware?

Jeff

 

[PA Bear]

See
http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsupdate/msg/d582ef1a9e959a58

You (and a lot of others) are confusing WGA Validation Tool (892130) with
WGA Notifications tool (905474). [Yes, it is easy to confuse them.]

Fact: 892130 and updated versions of 892130 MUST be accepted and installed
to be able to use Windows/Microsoft Update websites to check for and install
updates. Period.

Fact: 892130 is not offered or installed by Automatic Updates, and it does
NOT have to be installed to update via Automatic Updates.

Fact: 905474 remains 100% optional.

References:

Description of Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA):
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/892130

Description of the Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications application
[tool]:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/905474

How to configure and use Automatic Updates in WinXP:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306525

How to schedule automatic updates in WinXP, Win2K and Win2K03
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/327838

NB: If you "select a time to install updates", your default will be reset to
Automatic (vs, e.g., Notify Only).

 

[Jeff]

Thank you.

Jeff

See
http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsupdate/msg/d582ef1a9e959a58

You (and a lot of others) are confusing WGA Validation Tool (892130)
with WGA Notifications tool (905474). [Yes, it is easy to confuse
them.]

Fact: 892130 and updated versions of 892130 MUST be accepted and
installed to be able to use Windows/Microsoft Update websites to check
for and install updates. Period.

Fact: 892130 is not offered or installed by Automatic Updates, and it
does NOT have to be installed to update via Automatic Updates.

Fact: 905474 remains 100% optional.

References:

Description of Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA):
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/892130

Description of the Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications application
[tool]:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/905474

How to configure and use Automatic Updates in WinXP:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306525

How to schedule automatic updates in WinXP, Win2K and Win2K03
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/327838

NB: If you "select a time to install updates", your default will be
reset to Automatic (vs, e.g., Notify Only).
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
AumHa VSOP & Admin; DTS-L.org

When notified that Windows security updates were available, I clicked
on
Windows Update to get them as usual.

However, this time even though I selected "Custom" instead of the
default "Express", the update immediately went on to install "Windows
Genuine Advantage Validation Tool (KB892130)".

I was not given a choice to not accept or not accept this "update" as
I
believe I have in the past. Because I read that installing WGA
validation tool can be a problem and quasi-impossible to remove, I
aborted the install of WGA - even though I have a valid Windows XP
installed on my PC.

Is installing WGA no longer an option and has now become compulsory?
Anyway to avoid the WGA spyware?

Jeff

 

[PA Bear]

YW.

Thank you.

Jeff

See
http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsupdate/msg/d582ef1a9e959a58

You (and a lot of others) are confusing WGA Validation Tool (892130)
with WGA Notifications tool (905474). [Yes, it is easy to confuse
them.]

Fact: 892130 and updated versions of 892130 MUST be accepted and
installed to be able to use Windows/Microsoft Update websites to check
for and install updates. Period.

Fact: 892130 is not offered or installed by Automatic Updates, and it
does NOT have to be installed to update via Automatic Updates.

Fact: 905474 remains 100% optional.

References:

Description of Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA):
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/892130

Description of the Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications application
[tool]:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/905474

How to configure and use Automatic Updates in WinXP:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306525

How to schedule automatic updates in WinXP, Win2K and Win2K03
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/327838

NB: If you "select a time to install updates", your default will be
reset to Automatic (vs, e.g., Notify Only).
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
AumHa VSOP & Admin; DTS-L.org

When notified that Windows security updates were available, I clicked
on
Windows Update to get them as usual.

However, this time even though I selected "Custom" instead of the
default "Express", the update immediately went on to install "Windows
Genuine Advantage Validation Tool (KB892130)".

I was not given a choice to not accept or not accept this "update" as
I
believe I have in the past. Because I read that installing WGA
validation tool can be a problem and quasi-impossible to remove, I
aborted the install of WGA - even though I have a valid Windows XP
installed on my PC.

Is installing WGA no longer an option and has now become compulsory?
Anyway to avoid the WGA spyware?

Jeff