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Windows Genuine Advantage: good or evil?

  • 28-04-2009 08:36PM
    #1
    VeeEmmy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 279 ✭✭


    Due to viral infestation, I had to give up and use the Dell PC Restore (thank goodness for it). This puts me back at factory settings and I am doing the necessary Windows Updates etc.
    I have only legit Windows products that came with my Dell, so I'm not concerned, but I don't remember whether I had Windows Genuine Advantage on there from before or not.

    I'm not overly paranoid (except about viruses, worms, etc but that's another thread), but
    IS WGA the evil snoop that it is made out to be?
    In principle, I do not like the idea activity on my PC being reported back to Bill Gates & Co.
    EDIT: "activity on my PC" meaning software besides MS; meaning their tendency for over-controlling, meaning their ramming things down our throats, etc. Don't fret: I don't think they have time or interest to read my emails, etc.

    I have not installed WGA, but the download (KB905474) did slip by my notice until the eula came up for my acceptance. I cancelled.
    The setup file is sitting in the SYSTEM32 folder and a scheduled task is waiting for the next logon in C:\Windows\Tasks (WGASetup)to install.
    Can I interrupt it by changing particulars in the schedule
    (like setting it for yesterday and tick "Delete the task if
    it is not scheduled to run again")
    or by deleting the task altogether?

    Can I delete the folder with the setup file, wga_eula.txt
    and "wganotifypackageinner" app in it?
    I'm not advanced enough to feel confident about messing with anything in the SYSTEM32 folder, so I ask in relative ignorance.

    Thanks for any opinions or advice.

    Ban


Comments

  • #2
    Cuddlesworth
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,010 ✭✭✭✭Cuddlesworth


    IF you don't install it your copy of Windows will be deemed as invalid and you will either no longer be able to recieve updates, use certain microsoft apps or it shuts you down completley. Can't remember the specifics.

    As for the privicy thing, grow up. Nobody cares what you do with your computer. Least of all Microsoft.


  • #3
    partyatmygaff
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,992 ✭✭✭✭partyatmygaff


    Dont take it off or windows update and defender will stop working, most microsoft apps wont work and it'll just cause you unbelievable levels of hassle.


    As for "Bill gates & Co." and their spying ways....
    Can I ask you something?

    Why the hell would a multi-billionaire who has a MASSIVE company the size of the microsoft to take care of really care about what you do on your computer?

    Genuine Advantage only knows your basic hardware specs and your Cd Key and possibly a few other things, its not as if Microsoft are like Big brother and want to watch your every single move as if your someone important to them.

    I can guarantee no one at all in Microsoft could or would care about your specific PC, they just want to stop piracy, nothing else. They work on an OS for years, Its reasonable for them to expect to get paid for it and this is a way to safeguard it.

    Besides even that "sensitive" information (Your cd key and other basic computer information[Again this is only for matching cd-key to computer]), that information would not be available to your average Microsoft employee, I'd say you would need to be somewhere pretty high up in management to be even allowed to look at that.


  • #4
    zilog_jones
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,638 ✭✭✭zilog_jones


    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Genuine_Advantage#Data_collected
    Better get out the tinfoil hat if you think that's invasion of your privacy


  • #5
    ronkmonster
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,181 ✭✭✭ronkmonster


    automatic updates still work without it.
    i'd remove it myself. and when i see it available i just untick it

    some programs won't install or let you download without validating though.


    sometimes the wga goes wrong and blocks valid licences. don't know if it's happening at the moment. if your install is valid then you probably would never notice it was there.


  • #6
    Capt'n Midnight
    Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 94,366 Mod ✭✭✭✭Capt'n Midnight


    you've no choice really as you need it to get all the latest updates and goodies

    it's not evil ,
    microsoft already have your money so they are laughing all the way to the bank

    but it's not good either as it's provides no additional benefit to the consumer


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