Every month I check this group for possible issues before updating my
windows boxes. Every month the same old WGA and other assorted update
related issues crop up time after time.
With apologies to MVPs who do a fine job but obviously won't like this
post much and to MSFT who IMHO should stop victimising innocent users
with WGA and maybe to get real security flaws patched (such as the
recent MS Word issue) in days not weeks, and test updates a lot more
thouroughly.
FYI
You DO NOT have to get updates from Windows Updates there are
alternative sources. The links I posted are in my experience safe
alternatives although this cannot be guaranteed so use at your own
risk. I use them mainly to update machines for people with genuine
installations having problems with windows updates.
WGA Validation is only needed if you use the official Windows Update
site or wish to install "Free" windows stuff like Defender. If Windows
asks you to validate you can say NO it is not compulsary.
Read This from Kurt very interesting and informative with vital ninfo
on how to install updates without the risks of a busted installation.
The guys not a big MSFT fan but thats not entirely unusual, his advice
is rock solid.
http://www.microscum.com/comsense/
Alternate Update sites here
http://www.softwarepatch.com/windows/index.html
http://windowsupdate.62nds.com/whyuse.php
WGA Notification Tray is NOT REQUIRED, you do not have to install it,
it is not a "critical update" it is little better than spyware in the
same way as the recent Sony Rootkit. It is beneficial only to MSFT who
because they cannot stop pirate copies of Windows being distributed en
masse are going after the end users, the motives for which are
purported to be a genuine concern for unwitting users of pirate
software and maybe there is some degree of truth in that, but it is
still victimising innocent users on a grand scale not to mention
causing lots of problems on genuine machines with WGA, and doing
nothing to stop the knowing users of pirate copies of Windows who do
not use Windows Updates anyway.
If WGA Notify does not install (errors) think yourself lucky. If it
has installed removal instructions are below along with a lot more
interesting information. If you know your system is genuine you do not
need this crap installing itself and spying on you. However if you are
OK with it read the privacy policy before you decide weather or not to
remove it on the principle of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".
http://www.mydigitallife.info/2006/0...ns-nag-screen/
Finally turn Automatic Updates OFF, do not allow MSFT to install
anything it feels like on your PC any time it wishes to. If you use
the Windows Update site do it manually, choose "custom" read the
details of each update and select "do not show me this again" for the
updates you do not want (WGA notify tool for eg).
The rubbish you read re "Your Computer May be at Risk if you turn
automatic updates off" is total *******s. MSFT only do updates once
per month whatever security flaws are out there the only thing they
update outside of update Tuesday is WGA. If you are that paranoid set
updates to "notify only".
Learn to distinguish between what actually is a "critical" security
flaw and what is not by reading the actual bulletins under the
"details" link and select updates accordingly.
If you are really sick of it all learn a Linux Distro or buy a MAC.
8-)
Jonah
Similar Threads
Linear Mode
