April 27, 2006
Bypass for Windows antipiracy check blogged
The post says the way to dismantle the notification is to run Task Manager in Windows and kill WgaTray.exe
Recommend ThisMicrosoft Corp.'s latest update to its built-in antipiracy checks for Windows XP has spurred someone to post a method for bypassing the system on a popular technology blog.
A Digg blog posting titled "How To Disable The Annoying Genuine Message Crap" details a work-around for a new feature in Microsoft's automatic Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) that sends a pop-up to users to notify them if they are working on a pirated or counterfeit copy of Windows. Previously, the program only alerted a user during updates to Windows.
According to the posting, the way to dismantle the notification is to run Task Manager in Windows and kill a file called WgaTray.exe. Then, a user should go to the System32 folder and find WgaTray.exe and wgalogon.dll. Once those files are identified, they should be renamed to WgaTray1.exe and wgalogon1.dll and then the user should perform a restart, according to the posting.
Microsoft launched the WGA program in July 2005 as a way to identify if users are running a genuine copy of Windows. After it was launched, a user made public a work-around for disabling the notification feature. Microsoft has since patched the program so that the work-around is no longer valid.
Earlier this week Microsoft also announced it is piloting the Office Genuine Advantage program, which provides similar notifications for its Office productivity suite.
To date, more than 150 million PCs have participated in the WGA program, according to the company.
Many users have suggested that Microsoft lower its software prices rather than use an automatic program to notify every person who is using a pirated or counterfeit copy.
"Software piracy is here to stay," said Mario Chávez, founder and Spanish technical translator for espanish.net, a company that translates technical documents into Spanish. "What Microsoft and other big software corporations should be doing is remove the incentive for hackers to pirate their legitimate software, especially in developing nations."
Microsoft plans to release a stripped-down edition of the next update to Windows, Windows Vista, aimed at developing countries. The company has not yet announced pricing for Vista.
Microsoft could not immediately be reached for comment on the WGA work-around Thursday.
White Paper
D2D Virtual Tape Library Replication Primer
This whitepaper explains the terminology and concepts behind Data Replication technologies and establishes some sizing rules through worked examples. Learn the new paradigm in disaster tolerance—protect data anywhere.
Download now »
White Paper
An Alternative to Virtualization for Datacenter Cost Savings
Server virtualization is a popular option for dealing with mounting datacenter costs. Another equally promising approach is the use of an Application Delivery Controller. Citrix NetScaler provides a low-cost way for organizations to reduce their server count and accrue cost savings from a reduction in space, cooling, power and personnel.
Download now »
White Paper
Why Your Firewall, VPN, and IEEE 802.11i Aren't Enough to Protect Your Network
The emergence of WLANs has created a new breed of security threats to enterprise networks.
Included in HP ProCurve WLAN solutions is security technology that alleviates threats from WLANs through:
* Monitoring wireless activity inside and out of the enterprise
* Classifying WLAN transmissions into harmful and harmless
* Preventing transmissions that pose a security threat to the enterprise network
* Locating participating devices for physical remediation
White Paper
Bringing the Edge to the Data Center
Effectively address data protection challenges, implementing solutions that help store and protect business–critical data while cutting costs and improving efficiency and reliability.
Download now »
- Opportunities and Challenges with the Convergence of Data Center Networks | White Paper
- Network Operating System Evolution | White Paper
- How Operating Systems Create Network Efficiency | White Paper
- Data Center Survival Guide | White Paper
- Empowering a Mobile Workforce: A Holistic Approach to Managing your BlackBerry Ecosystem | Webcast
Sign up to receive Platforms Resource Alerts
Maximize your IT Budget with the Fujitsu Dynamic CubeToday’s IT means business. New eBook shows you how to align your IT investments.A new level of interoperability. Make IT Work As One at novell.comLimited-time offer: Save up to $100 on Polycom phones. 64-page prescriptive guide to security, compliance, and IT operations.Drive innovation with Intel and Open Source softwareLinux Contributions and Support from IntelLearn about Foundations of Green IT, from CTO Marty PoniatowskiIncrease UPS efficiency without sacrificing protectionIn less than 45 minutes, Palisade Systems protects your data
See how AT&T can help protect your network. Make IT Work As One at novell.comHP ProLiant G6 Servers. Perform like a superstar, Save like an accountant.HP ProLiant G6 Servers. Perform like a superstar, Save like an accountant.Unified Communications: Thoughts, Strategies and Predictions. Join the discussionOptimize Linux* for high performance and energy efficiency on Intel® architectureSee how Intel is working across the Open Source ecosystem to help drive rapid technological innovationTDWI checklist helps define data readiness for analytics. Download report.<802.11n Drives an Architectural EvolutionSee IBM CloudBurst's self-service user interface in action
