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Remove Windows Genuine Notification

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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 :

  1. Launch Windows Task Manager.
  2. End wgatray.exe process in Task Manager.
  3. Restart Windows XP in Safe Mode.
  4. Delete WgaTray.exe from C:\Windows\System32.
  5. Delete WgaTray.exe from C:\Windows\System32\dllcache.
  6. Lauch RegEdit.
  7. Browse to the following location: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Notify
  8. Delete the folder ‘WgaLogon’ and all its contents
  9. 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.
    windows-genuine-notification
  • 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.

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Tags:   · 36 Comments

Leave A Comment

36 responses so far ↓

  • 1 Rishi Oct 21, 2008 at 4:32 pm

    Nice find buddy. Great info. Dugg and Stumbled.

  • 2 Ashfame Oct 23, 2008 at 12:57 pm

    @Rishi
    Thanks for the dugg and stumble! I appreciate it. :)

  • 3 Get Rid Of Windows Genuine Advantage Notification [Hacks n Mods] Oct 24, 2008 at 1:52 pm

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  • 4 Sparx Oct 24, 2008 at 5:25 pm

    Or you can just get the easy to use utility RemoveWGA from here - http://www.firewallleaktester.com/removewga.htm

    ;-)

    Worked for me.

  • 5 How To Fix “Windows Is Not Genuine” Message ? « Vhxn’s Weblog Oct 24, 2008 at 7:42 pm

    [...] sure to check the list of download so that you might not install any new version of this tool. [ More [...]

  • 6 Ashfame Oct 24, 2008 at 8:01 pm

    @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.

  • 7 How To Stop Microsoft Windows And Office Genuine Advantage To Black Out Your Computer Screen — TechDugout Oct 24, 2008 at 11:12 pm

    [...] As with everything Microsoft, new hacks and workarounds for the Microsoft Genuine Advantage program have already been published in various blogs and websites.  Here is one such working workaround from Ashfame. [...]

  • 8 FIX WGA Notification Oct 28, 2008 at 6:30 am

    [...] You can continue to use your pirated version and use hacks like THIS one and hope that Microsoft don’t find a way to combat the hack and you don’t get [...]

  • 9 Emilija Nov 29, 2008 at 3:09 pm

    oh my. i was searching for help with this issue, and i found exactly what i was looking for. THANK YOU, great job.

  • 10 Gula Kapas Dec 5, 2008 at 7:10 pm

    “… 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 :)

  • 11 Zeeshan Ibrahim Dec 15, 2008 at 12:33 pm

    Hi Ashish, its a very safe and nice way to remove WGN notification. Well done.
    Thanx.
    Zeeshan Ibrahim
    Pakistan

  • 12 Basith Shaik Dec 16, 2008 at 12:10 am

    thank you very much for the helpful blog.

  • 13 Bwsis Dec 19, 2008 at 10:02 pm

    Thanks millions!!
    Keep up the Great work.
    I bookmarked your blog.
    Thanks again!

  • 14 Hisham Feb 24, 2009 at 6:02 pm

    Thank you very very much… it’s the best way I had try…

  • 15 ismail Feb 25, 2009 at 11:24 am

    remove genuine microsoftware from my computer

  • 16 ismail Feb 25, 2009 at 11:36 am

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/SOFTWARE/MICROSOFT/WINDOWSNT/current version/winlogon/notify

  • 17 Jimmy Mar 9, 2009 at 11:06 pm

    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..

  • 18 Marc Laurence Mar 22, 2009 at 9:33 am

    Whew… excellent!!!! Tnx bro..

  • 19 John G Apr 15, 2009 at 10:45 pm

    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

  • 20 Ashfame Apr 16, 2009 at 12:22 pm

    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. :)

  • 21 Phuc Le Apr 24, 2009 at 3:42 pm

    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

  • 22 Alice Chan Apr 28, 2009 at 5:26 pm

    Hi!! Ashish Saini aka Ashfame,

    Just want to said “Thanks a lot” of your helpfull info.

  • 23 bilal Apr 29, 2009 at 6:11 am

    i want to close windows genuine updates notification

  • 24 Tharaka Silva May 2, 2009 at 12:16 am

    This is works! Superb! Thanks a lot! God Bless!

  • 25 pran May 2, 2009 at 8:47 pm

    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…

  • 26 Ashfame May 3, 2009 at 11:02 am

    @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.

  • 27 sattanathan May 4, 2009 at 1:08 pm

    thanks for your idea problem is clear

  • 28 Mahesh May 10, 2009 at 1:27 pm

    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….

  • 29 Rizwan May 10, 2009 at 7:07 pm

    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!!!!

  • 30 Rizwan May 10, 2009 at 7:35 pm

    what is Softwr counterFeiting????

  • 31 Loosgoose May 17, 2009 at 8:22 pm

    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???

  • 32 Ashfame May 17, 2009 at 8:28 pm

    @Loosegoose
    Its a common typo. I dont need to prove anything

  • 33 Ty May 27, 2009 at 2:17 pm

    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.

  • 34 Ashfame May 27, 2009 at 7:47 pm

    @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.

  • 35 dd Jun 3, 2009 at 1:08 am

    Ashfame, can this make WGA gone even if it is not pilot version?

  • 36 Jenny Jun 23, 2009 at 12:03 am

    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!