Remove Windows Genuine Notification
October 21st, 2008 | Tagged as: window updates ¤ Windows | Download as PDFIf you are new here. You may want to sign up for e-mail updates or subscribe to my RSS feeds. Thanks for visiting!
I recently again came up with the situation that Windows Genuine Notification popped up because Windows Update again installed it via Automatic Updates. It pops up while a user logs in to windows, displays a message near the system tray and keeps on reminding you in between work that the copy of windows is not genuine. It has been reported since its first release that even genuine users are getting this prompt, so Microsoft has them self release instructions for its removal. When I searched on Google about this issue, I landed up on pages which were providing many methods of its removal including those patching up existing files with their cracked versions which I would highly recommend avoiding them as they might contain malicious code and can be used to get you into more trouble.
I found out this method of removal of Windows Genuine Notification :
- Launch Windows Task Manager.
- End wgatray.exe process in Task Manager.
- Restart Windows XP in Safe Mode.
- Delete WgaTray.exe from C:\Windows\System32.
- Delete WgaTray.exe from C:\Windows\System32\dllcache.
- Lauch RegEdit.
- Browse to the following location: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Notify
- Delete the folder ‘WgaLogon’ and all its contents
- Reboot Windows XP.
But the latest version of the WGN tool is a little tricky to handle. It will pop up again as soon as you end it from the task manager and while it is running in the memory, you can’t delete it too.
Here is how I did it :
- Ignore Step #2 of ending wgatray.exe before restarting to Safe Mode as it serves no purpose.
- At Step #4, wait on the deletion confirmation dialog box and then open task manager to end wgatray.exe
- When you are again prompted for a confirmation for terminating the process, align that confirmation box over the delete confirmation box.
- Press Yes on the Task Manager prompt and then quickly press Yes on the deletion confirmation. (You need to repeat this if you miss it)
- If you did it quickly then you will be able to delete the file.
- Step #5 can be missed. I was able to do it without the Step #5.
- Complete Step 6 to 9 as instructed.
After you have followed all the above instructions, then
- Go to Control Panel > Security Center > Automatic Update Settings.
- Select the third option “Notify me but don’t automatically download or install them“.
- Click Ok.
- Now when Windows Updates icon will appear in the system tray (it will take some time), click on the icon and it will display a list of available updates.
- This time unselect the checkbox of Windows Genuine Advantage Notification Tool, and click on Download.
- Select “Don’t notify my about these updates again” so it will ignored every time updates are downloaded.
- From the next time, make sure to check the list of download so that you might not install any new version of this tool.
If you are having any issues, then let me know and I will try to help my best.
Howdy! My name is Ashish K Saini aka Ashfame.
Nice find buddy. Great info. Dugg and Stumbled.
@Rishi
Thanks for the dugg and stumble! I appreciate it.
Or you can just get the easy to use utility RemoveWGA from here – http://www.firewallleaktester.com/removewga.htm
Worked for me.
@Sparx
As long as it can be done without the help of any external tools, then I will prefer that as those tools may contain malicious code. I call it safe computing.
oh my. i was searching for help with this issue, and i found exactly what i was looking for. THANK YOU, great job.
“… Press Yes on the Task Manager prompt and then quickly press Yes on the deletion confirmation. (You need to repeat this if you miss it)…”
You need to modify this step (shown quoted above) by adding about the “5 sec gap” as mentioned in Step 18 in the link below
http://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Windows-Genuine-Advantage-Notifications
Just trying to be helpful
Hi Ashish, its a very safe and nice way to remove WGN notification. Well done.
Thanx.
Zeeshan Ibrahim
Pakistan
thank you very much for the helpful blog.
Thanks millions!!
Keep up the Great work.
I bookmarked your blog.
Thanks again!
Thank you very very much… it’s the best way I had try…
remove genuine microsoftware from my computer
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/MICROSOFT/WINDOWSNT/current version/winlogon/notify
If none of those steps listed above won’t work visit http://fixexe.com/ultimate-windows-genuine-advantage-wga-remover/ WGA Remover and install a patch.
It worked for me..
Jimmy, not to be difficult, but do you have access to the exact same patch for Office 2007?
Didn’t get the point.
Whew… excellent!!!! Tnx bro..
Hi ashfame,
Your info on removal of WGA nusiance worked a treat.
All i need to do now is to reclaim my Geniune Status before i try for further updates…i would appreciate any help you can offer.
You are the TOPS.
Many thanks.
John
Hi John!
If your genuine product messed up with this message, then I think your product key has been blacklisted. Better get in touch with MS for this issue. Other companies will give you a new key after you are verified as a owner of a genuine key but I don’t know how MS will react. Hope that helps.
I have got a rid of the “Windows Genuine Advantage Notification” successfully by delete all wga files, which can be found simply from the “Search” mechanism.
However, before this step, I have also open Registry Editor (regedit.exe from Run) and sought for wgalogon folder and deleted it.
Good luck!
Phuc Le
Hi!! Ashish Saini aka Ashfame,
Just want to said “Thanks a lot” of your helpfull info.
i want to close windows genuine updates notification
This is works! Superb! Thanks a lot! God Bless!
hey i wanted to ask you about this issue….
after rebooting my comp every time “windows genuine advantage notification” dialouge box comes….
and in the automatic updates section on the system tray a ques hangs around:
“how do you want to install updates?” n it has two options:
express install and custom install.. and donno which one to take..
and plus the procedure of deleting wga files and going to regedit is already done long back by me…
its just that windows genuine advantage notification is again popping up saying i should check if my win is lisenced or not…
what shud i do next… help if you can.. thanks…
@pran
Did you followed the above steps correctly? You probably missed something. I guess you didn’t uncheck the options of downloading WGA Notification Tool in Windows Update prompt which is causing that update to be installed again. follow the steps and you will be good. Lemme know if you have more issues.
thanks for your idea problem is clear
hey Ash…do u have any fix for Windows Vista 32 bit …or can i try the same in vista too…plssss let me know its too annoying here with this star sign on my system tray….
jankari k liye Dhanyawaad…..lekin itni mehnat kaun krega..ek kam kr tu he thik kr diyo..kal milte h lib me aftr 3pm…ok daddy!!!!
what is Softwr counterFeiting????
you obviously have cut & pasted those instructions, as in your step 6 says LAUCH instead of LAUNCH on many other googled websites. so who are we to believe???
@Loosegoose
Its a common typo. I dont need to prove anything
I have one related question to what you have explained. Just a little different.
I have downloaded this Windows Genuine update to my computer not so long ago, but I haven’t install it. Since then the Windows Genuine Advantage Notification tool keep poping up everytime when I turnon or restart my computer. Is there any ways to cancle or remove this tool from my coputer?
Thanks in advance.
@Ty
The update can surely be deleted where it is saved in a temporary location but I am afraid that you will have to google it out yourself. You should be able to find it and you can also try installing it and then removing it as I have explained it here.
Ashfame, can this make WGA gone even if it is not pilot version?
Ashfame thanks for the tip!! it worked really well!! and you’re right to ignore immature a-holes like loosgoose!
keep up the good work!
Well it s true it works and it removes the notification but with the newes WGA i mean 16/08/2009 you cant do windows update unless you do you r validation with WGA.
@Pablo
I will have to see on this once I get back to work in a few days. I have a genuine copy so I will check if I can update without installing WGA.
I normally get rid of the notification by:
1. Opening Drive(C:)
2. Search for “Windows Genuine Advantage” on the drive
3. Delete the folder Windows Genuine Advantage.
4. Reboot
Usually it works. But this time, it doesn’t work. I did as the same, but then after rebooting, that genuine thing pops up as well, leaving my screen black. And the worst thing is, the computer theme doesn’t load, leaving my computer with a lame, plain theme.
Hii..thanks for tutorial, now i’m enjoy with Windows..:)
@Pablo @Monmon
My windows got updated by itself and now I have WGA installed as well as I guess. I am really running busy these days so I can’t investigate further. May be try some more googling
you can also have the cmd prompt set to delete the file and keep finger on carriage return, then kill process and click console window – bam, done.
I have read your solution to WGA and am wishing to use it – the date today is 6th Oct 2009 will it work with the latest windows update systems without causing me other problems? I am a relative novice in these matters. Thank you
any update about hardware and software, tks.
thanks alot Ashish for making this forum the instructions you have given to remove the wga notifications were great thanks again.
The most easier steps to remove Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications Installation Wizard permanently within 1 minute.
thanks a lot it worked great!
THANK UUUUUUUUUU
Is rebooting computer deletes/removes all the files/ programs installed on your computer?
Nope!
Rebooting means restarting.
Thanks a ton!! It worked after trying a hell lot of times!! Thanks again.
Good to hear that!
Thanks! Thanks a lot Ashish for making this forum the instructions you have given to remove the wga notifications were great thanks again.
Good to hear that! And this is a blog, not forums
I have an easyer way than u
1.open taskmanager/processer
2.then open c:\windows\system32
3.then see wgatray.exe where it is
4. then bring taskmanager/processer/ in front
5. then end wgatray.exe
6. as u end wgatray.exe then delete the wgatray.exe from windows32
Can’t say if that really fixes it.
First I want thank Ashfame for helping people with this annoying problem. Also want to thank Phuc Le.
I did what she posted and it worked like a charm. No more WGA Install screens when I reboot. I also did what Ashfame said to do to the Automatic Updates.
Thanks both of you for helping me get rid of this annoyance that has been bugging me for over a year. I spent several hours on other sites trying to find the rememdy for this problem. So glad I found this site.
My pleasure!
i want remove windows genuine
can u send me a file, for running to remove
thanks
Follow the instructions in the post.
This worked great thank you!!!
[Please don't use keywords in name]
i want remove windows genuine
That’s what the post is about. Are you using a different OS than XP?
I was facing the problem with my own PC at home.
But thanks for the great help by you.
You are welcome!
A more effective tool and guides are posted on [link moderated]
That is really very helpful and easy to use.
[link moderated]
Sorry but I don’t prefer to use any third party tools and patches because they can’t be trusted. They might them self be malicious.