WGA Notifications removal simplified

[mauserme]

It recently came up in this thread

http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=21952.0

that Microsoft published a removal procedure for the pilot version of WGA Notifications.  I've successfully tested this procedure on the general release version (1.5.0540.0) three times but, in doing so, I found that the procedure also unnecessarily removes Windows Genuine Advantage.

The following abbreviated version of the Microsoft procedure disabled and removed WGA Notifications on two test machines while leaving Windows Genuine Advantage intact.

If you decide to try either of this please remember that deleting system files and editing your registry can harm your computer.  Create a restore point, back up your data and your registry prior to making any changes.

Manual Removal of WGA Notifications (tested on version 1.5.0540.0)

Either turn off Automatic Updates or set it to "Notify me but don't automatically download or install them".

Rename the following files:

%windir%\system32\wgalogon.dll     to     %windir%\system32\wgalogon.old
%windir%\system32\wgatray.exe     to     %windir%\system32\wgatray.old       

Reboot (after reboot WGA Notifications is disabled)

Delete the following files:

%windir%\system32\wgalogon.old
%windir%\system32\wgatray.old       

Delete the following registry subkey:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\WgaNotify

Run the Windows Updates utility and hide WGA Notifications.[/b]

You can now change Automatic Updates back to your old setting but if you use one of the automatic options you run the risk of installing a newer version of WGA Notifications without prior notice.

If you try this please post your results.

[YLAP]

Looks simple! 

[mauserme]

OK, maybe not simple but simpler. Is simplerfied a word? 

[drhayden1]

hey mauserme

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/simplerfied

guess it is not a word

[RejZoR]

I just Denied all access to those two files and removed wga component from WinLogon section. I think that should do the trick too.

[Riqui]

It Works 100% 

[Spiritsongs]

   Hi all :

      What about my :

      http://www.firewallleaktester.com/news.htm

      AND

       http://www.firewallleaktester.com/removewga.htm . !?
 

[mauserme]

Hi Spiritsongs,

At the time of my original post the RemoveWGA tool required a BSOD system hang that made some users uncomfortable and it worked only with the pilot version of WGA Notifications.

It appears to have progressed since then, though I haven't had a need to try it out.


@Riqui

I'm glad the above method was helpful for you.

[..::ReVaN::..]

  Hi all :

      What about my :

      http://www.firewallleaktester.com/news.htm

      AND

       http://www.firewallleaktester.com/removewga.htm . !?
 

I tried removewga from firewallleaktester page last week on my dads pc and it worked like a charm ...

[bob3160]

  Hi all :

      What about my :

      http://www.firewallleaktester.com/news.htm

      AND

       http://www.firewallleaktester.com/removewga.htm . !?
 

RemoveWGA is done to help legit Windows users to remove the WGA Notification update if they installed it inadvertedly, and feel concerned about their privacy and security. It will not work on not genuine copies.

If you are running a pirated Windows, you must buy a valid and legit licence

This is strictly for those who have a legitimate license and still have a problem unlike the brute force removal RejZoR
was talking about or the original fix that was posted.

[mauserme]

Yep.

Remember, this doesn't remove Windows Genuine Advantage validation.  I think Microsoft is perfectly within its rights to confirm a legal OS before supplying updates (though there are ways around that too).

It just removes the WGA Notifications that MS induced users to install by calling it a security patch but to this day, AFAIK, has not explained its true purpose.