KB905474 - Windows Genuine Advantate Notification Tool

Hello. Regarding the Windows Genuine Nofification Tool, can someone tell me
how often I have to re-validate it. Quite some time ago I initially
validated it (successfully), then about a month later had to do the same when
it was offered on the WU website (successfully again). I went to the
Microsoft knowledge base where I read that it was an "on-going" process. Can
someone tell me how "on-going" because it has been offered yet again on WU as
a "critical update"? Should I just relax and download it each time I'm
asked, or does my particular case seem slightly excessive? Have others
experienced this "re-validation" process as well and is this normal? Thanks
in advance.

Robert-- wrote:
> Hello. Regarding the Windows Genuine Nofification Tool, can someone tell me
> how often I have to re-validate it. Quite some time ago I initially
> validated it (successfully), then about a month later had to do the same when
> it was offered on the WU website (successfully again). I went to the
> Microsoft knowledge base where I read that it was an "on-going" process. Can
> someone tell me how "on-going" because it has been offered yet again on WU as
> a "critical update"? Should I just relax and download it each time I'm
> asked, or does my particular case seem slightly excessive? Have others
> experienced this "re-validation" process as well and is this normal? Thanks
> in advance.

I plan to reformat and not allow any WGA spyware on my machine.

Robert-- <> wrote:

> Regarding the Windows Genuine Nofification Tool, can someone
> tell me how often I have to re-validate it. Quite some time ago I
> initially validated it (successfully), then about a month later had
> to do the same when it was offered on the WU website (successfully
> again). I went to the Microsoft knowledge base where I read that it
> was an "on-going" process. Can someone tell me how "on-going"
> because it has been offered yet again on WU as a "critical update"?
> Should I just relax and download it each time I'm asked, or does my
> particular case seem slightly excessive? Have others experienced
> this "re-validation" process as well and is this normal?

None of what you have described has anything to do with validation. All
that Windows Update has offered is an update to the WGA Notification Tool,
which is occasionally updated and re-issued, just like other parts of
Windows. The WGA Notification Tool is an optional update: you can decline
to accept the EULA. However, if you have earlier version of WGA
Notification already installed, then you will probably find this latest
update (1.5.540.0) to be preferable, as it is less intrusive than earlier
versions, with less frequent internet access, and fewer false positive
problems.

With the new version of WGA, your Windows installation will be re-validated
about once every 90 days.

--
Robin Walker [MVP Networking]

New versions of KB905474 have been offered a few days after the
main slew of updates each month since it came out. Since it is designed
to be uninstallable except by an updated version of itself, once you've
accepted it, changing your mind would involve you in some difficulties.

Each time you install an improved version, you accept a risk that the
new version and your computer won't get along. Since the test version
got along with your computer, I would expect the improved versions
to do so also. In your case risk may amount to almost nothing.

Microsoft has documented a procedure to uninstall the test update,
however the procedure furnished doesn't work, according to this post:
news: oups.com
Their procedure - uninstall test without installing new version - is here:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/921914/en-us

"Alias" <aka@[notme]maskedandanonymous.wga> wrote in message news:n4fpg.2750$...
> Robert-- wrote:
>> Hello. Regarding the Windows Genuine Notification Tool, can someone tell me
>> how often I have to re-validate it. Quite some time ago I initially
>> validated it (successfully), then about a month later had to do the same when
>> it was offered on the WU website (successfully again). I went to the
>> Microsoft knowledge base where I read that it was an "on-going" process. Can
>> someone tell me how "on-going" because it has been offered yet again on WU as
>> a "critical update"? Should I just relax and download it each time I'm
>> asked, or does my particular case seem slightly excessive? Have others
>> experienced this "re-validation" process as well and is this normal? Thanks
>> in advance.
>
> I plan to reformat and not allow any WGA spyware on my machine.
>

Michael Jennings wrote:
> New versions of KB905474 have been offered a few days after the
> main slew of updates each month since it came out. Since it is designed
> to be uninstallable except by an updated version of itself, once you've
> accepted it, changing your mind would involve you in some difficulties.
>
> Each time you install an improved version, you accept a risk that the
> new version and your computer won't get along. Since the test version
> got along with your computer, I would expect the improved versions
> to do so also. In your case risk may amount to almost nothing.

Almost isn't good enough. A clean install will do the trick. Besides, I
installed a MB that is one version higher than the one I had (FSB 400
instead of FSB 333, both aSrock). Everything seems OK but little things
occur like my fax not waking the computer up from Stand By that make me
want to do it anyway. That, and I haven't done a new install since early
2003.

>
> Microsoft has documented a procedure to uninstall the test update,
> however the procedure furnished doesn't work, according to this post:
> news: oups.com
> Their procedure - uninstall test without installing new version - is here:
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/921914/en-us

Sorry, I don't trust it. I know what a clean install will do and messing
round in the registry just isn't my cup of tea.

Alias
>
> "Alias" <aka@[notme]maskedandanonymous.wga> wrote in message news:n4fpg.2750$...
>> Robert-- wrote:
>>> Hello. Regarding the Windows Genuine Notification Tool, can someone tell me
>>> how often I have to re-validate it. Quite some time ago I initially
>>> validated it (successfully), then about a month later had to do the same when
>>> it was offered on the WU website (successfully again). I went to the
>>> Microsoft knowledge base where I read that it was an "on-going" process. Can
>>> someone tell me how "on-going" because it has been offered yet again on WU as
>>> a "critical update"? Should I just relax and download it each time I'm
>>> asked, or does my particular case seem slightly excessive? Have others
>>> experienced this "re-validation" process as well and is this normal? Thanks
>>> in advance.
>> I plan to reformat and not allow any WGA spyware on my machine.
>>
>
>

"Alias" <aka@[notme]maskedandanonymous.wga> wrote in message news:0Fjpg.2701$...
> Michael Jennings wrote:
>> Microsoft has documented a procedure to uninstall the test update,
>> however the procedure furnished doesn't work, according to this post:
>> news: oups.com
>> Their procedure - uninstall test without installing new version - is here:
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/921914/en-us
>
> Sorry, I don't trust it. I know what a clean install will do and messing
> round in the registry just isn't my cup of tea.
>
> Alias

My apologies, Alias - I was attempting to respond to "Robert--".

Since you're using Thunderbird, my link to the "kb921914 doesn't work"
post doesn't function. If you like, you can find it at the bottom of this thread:

http://groups.google.com/group/micro...bb5531dc3f4a7b

It kind of looks like Microsoft's procedure for removing 905474 could not
possibly work as written. Evidently, almost no one's tried it to find that out.

Michael Jennings wrote:
> "Alias" <aka@[notme]maskedandanonymous.wga> wrote in message news:0Fjpg.2701$...
>> Michael Jennings wrote:
>>> Microsoft has documented a procedure to uninstall the test update,
>>> however the procedure furnished doesn't work, according to this post:
>>> news: oups.com
>>> Their procedure - uninstall test without installing new version - is here:
>>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/921914/en-us
>> Sorry, I don't trust it. I know what a clean install will do and messing
>> round in the registry just isn't my cup of tea.
>>
>> Alias
>
> My apologies, Alias - I was attempting to respond to "Robert--".
>
> Since you're using Thunderbird, my link to the "kb921914 doesn't work"
> post doesn't function. If you like, you can find it at the bottom of this thread:
>
> http://groups.google.com/group/micro...bb5531dc3f4a7b
>
> It kind of looks like Microsoft's procedure for removing 905474 could not
> possibly work as written. Evidently, almost no one's tried it to find that out.
>
>

My WGA is not in Add/Remove so I can't use MS' instructions.

Alias

Thank you all for your input...it's much appreciated. I believe I have my
answer now. Thank you. --Robert

"Robert--" wrote:

> Hello. Regarding the Windows Genuine Nofification Tool, can someone tell me
> how often I have to re-validate it. Quite some time ago I initially
> validated it (successfully), then about a month later had to do the same when
> it was offered on the WU website (successfully again). I went to the
> Microsoft knowledge base where I read that it was an "on-going" process. Can
> someone tell me how "on-going" because it has been offered yet again on WU as
> a "critical update"? Should I just relax and download it each time I'm
> asked, or does my particular case seem slightly excessive? Have others
> experienced this "re-validation" process as well and is this normal? Thanks
> in advance.