What is Windows Genuine Advantage?
WGA is part of Microsoft’s commitment to protect its customers and partners from counterfeiters through education, engineering and enforcement of policies and laws. WGA differentiates the value of genuine Windows software from counterfeit software enabling customers to enjoy the capabilities they expect, confidence that their software is authentic, and ongoing system improvements which help them do more with their PC.
Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications Beginning April 25, 2006, Microsoft began distributing Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications[1] as “critical update” KB905474 to Windows users. Users with pirated copies were exposed to alerts[2] at startup, login, and during use of the Windows OS, stating that they do not have a genuine copy of Windows. Users with legitimate copies are not supposed to see the alerts (although some do anyway[3]). On May 23, 2006, Microsoft updated the program, closing some forms of circumvention, but reportedly not all.[4] It was updated again on May 30, June 6 and June 27, 2006, though some forms of circumvention are still usable. The latest versions do not roll out worldwide at the same time: the dates given are the earliest dates on which the versions appeared, so the actual version being offered in some places will be an earlier version than the latest release. It is still possible to opt out of receiving this update using the “do not show” option at the Wi
