How to Remove Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications

Windows genuine advantage notifications occur when your computer hasn't passed the validation test. The validation test can be failed due to being sold a pirated (non-genuine) copy of XP, or because you have changed your XP product key to a software-generated key. The failed validation installs three types of notifications on your computer: one on the log in screen, one log in timer, and one balloon. It also stops updates from Microsoft and disables your ability to install IE7 and Windows Media Player 11. This solution can get rid of all three notifications, even though you will still not be able to update. Unfortunately, you can only update if you buy a valid Microsoft product key again.

Steps

1. If you have only just installed Windows Genuine Advantage notifications, simply using the system restore function will remove the program. Then refuse to accept the WGA update next time Windows updates... otherwise, proceeed as detailed below.
2. # Open System32 by either A or B of the following methods:
   
   
   • a)
     
     Click "Start", "Run", then type-in "System32". Click "Okay".
   • b) Find System32 manually by clicking "Start" > "My Computer" > "(X:)" (Replacing "X" with the drive letter of the host of Windows) > "Windows" > "System32".
     
     
3. In "System32", go to "Tools" > "Folder options" > click on the tab, "View" > Uncheck "Hide extensions for known file types". Now you can begin...
4. Check to make sure the window that comes up has a full screen of various files. The files are in alphabetical order, which makes it easier to locate the specific file.
5. 
   Find "WgaLogon.dll" and rename it "WgaLogon.dll.bak".
6. Create an empty copy of WgaLogon.dll:
   
   
   • 
     Right click on a blank space in System32 and select "New" > "Text Document".
   • Leave the text document empty and label it "WgaLogon.dll". Press Enter (on your keyboard).
   • 
     You may get a warning from the above step that says, "If you change a file name extension, the file may become unusable. Are you sure you want to change it?". Click "Yes" on this warning.
7. Be ready to complete the next two steps very quickly! Find "WgaTray.exe" in "System32" and delete it. You will then have 5 seconds to find "WgaTray.exe" in the Task Manager (the next step).
8. 
   Immediately open Task Manager. You can do this by pressing the Ctrl, Shift, and Esc keys simultaneously or right clicking the Taskbar and selecting "Task Manager". Click on the process tab and end "WgaTray.exe".
9. Restart your computer once you have finished. All the notification messages should be gone.

Tips

• This process will only get rid of the notifications, and will not validate your copy of XP. It will remove the timer at the beginning of your XP log on, the white notice on the log on screen, and the annoying yellow star that appears in the bottom right corner of the screen.
• This is easier to do if you have someone reading the steps to you while you do it.
• You may need to Find Hidden Files and Folders in Windows to get to System32 manually.
• If task manager programs are moving, click the title of the "user name" column to freeze them.
• If you are having problems after this, disable the updates before rebooting.
• There is a program called RemoveWGA which does all of this for you. Just run the program, click yes, and you're done. (See External Links, below.)
• If you have problems changing files in the System32 directory, you will have to turn off "system restore". "Start" -> "Control Panel" -> "System" -> "System Restore" -> Check the "Turn off system restore" check box.

Warnings

• Do not edit anything but this in System32, or it could cause system start up failure.
• If you are new to computers, do not attempt this because if you modify the wrong file you may crash your computer.