Saturday, February 24th 2007

Microsoft changes WGA software in response to consumer backlash

The most recent version of Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) software was met with a lot of complaints. The worst one by far was how WGA claimed that a copy of Windows was pirated when it wasn't (especially among corporate owners). There were also several instances when a simple hardware change (such as a WiFi card or a video card) made WGA demand a re-activation of Windows. Microsoft has listened to the consumer, and in response to these recent complaints, is morphing WGA to better fit the consumer. Instead of registering a copy of Windows as either Genuine or non-Genuine, it will now register it as Genuine, non-Genuine, or "unsure". There are no details of the functionality of an "unsure" copy of Windows. WGA is also much more relaxed when it comes to a recent hardware change. You can download the latest version of WGA here.
Source: The Register
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22 Comments on Microsoft changes WGA software in response to consumer backlash

#1
BXtreme
finally, ms comes to the road lol.
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#2
C.Ash
Finding a way around WGA isn't that difficult..
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#3
killatia
i want wait and see what ms will do about "unsure" vistas.
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#4
Completely Bonkers
Microsoft has listened to the consumer, and in response to these recent complaints...
I think the story is more like... MS was about to receive some BIG LAWSUITS from companies that were losing productivity due to working copies of Windows suddenly going "non-genuine".

Can you imagine a big bank... a trader... dealing in millions of dollars per minutes... and in the middle of a deal... boom... his PC goes down due to WGA.

That WOULD be grounds for lawsuits in the MILLIONS per case.
Posted on Reply
#5
WarEagleAU
Bird of Prey
Not sure if this will solve the problem. While I agree piracy of Windows is an issue, this WGA software is a pain in the butt to the extreme. They need to fix it. With all the folks working there and all the money, you'd think Billy would make something that would actually work properly.
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#6
Completely Bonkers
In short (agreeing with Russian)... MS has gone downhill since Gates left and Balmer too over.
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#7
SPHERE
sigh.. why dont they just give up... open source is the way to go micro$haft!! make all the money you want off of support

im fine and happy with my copy of xp without wga lol :)
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#8
Completely Bonkers
That video is hilarious

1./ Fat Basssssd, lost his breath, couldn't even talk after jumping around for 30 secs. LOL

2./ That was "canned" girl-screaming. There is NO WAY IN THIS WORLD there would be ANY convention that Balmer attends that would be full of girls

3./ What an idiot

4./ Bring back Bill Gates
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#9
PVTCaboose1337
Graphical Hacker
Zek, why did you include a link to WGA? You know that no one has a genuine copy of xp...
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#10
magibeg
You guys cant hate microsoft all the time, you have to give them credit that they did bring the PC to the masses (although it is just a stolen version of some old mac OS that wasn't patented). Its good to see that Microsoft can infact listen to consumers occasionally, though it was most likely big business that made the change as opposed to people like us. I'ld say the change is a step in the right direction.
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#12
Pinchy
He looks like a retard!
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#14
spectre440
zekrahminatorMicrosoft has listened to the consumer
that's gotta be a first... :laugh:
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#15
Pinchy
spectre440that's gotta be a first... :laugh:
I dont think they want to, i think they really have to for their own good :p
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#16
SPHERE
spectre440that's gotta be a first... :laugh:
yeah right they figured out they would make slightly more money if they did this lmao :p
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#17
mysticjon
i was on the fone for ms to get a real product key for vista ultimate....im happy :) even though my vista copy isnt "legal" who cares i wouldnt pay 500+ for an OS, but instead i paid 10 usd for a product key...yeah may sound like a rip off, but oh well im still happy :) not gunna pay 89.99 for valid product key on newegg...MS keeps me happy...so i have nothing to say
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#18
Pinchy
I dont get it, how did u get a product key off MS without buying it :confused:
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#19
mysticjon
PinchyI dont get it, how did u get a product key off MS without buying it :confused:
PM me ill give u details :)
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#20
AshenSugar
Completely BonkersThat video is hilarious

1./ Fat Basssssd, lost his breath, couldn't even talk after jumping around for 30 secs. LOL

2./ That was "canned" girl-screaming. There is NO WAY IN THIS WORLD there would be ANY convention that Balmer attends that would be full of girls

3./ What an idiot

4./ Bring back Bill Gates
not canned grrl, more like "making fun of him grrl" i have seen this chix/women screem like they are excited in pariody of some smuch on stage....it can get quite funny really !!!!!!


and nobody has a ligit copy of xp....ROFL
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#21
BXtreme
PVTCaboose1337Zek, why did you include a link to WGA? You know that no one has a genuine copy of xp...
i have one :) Xp pro x64 and Xp pro 32bit, real !
Posted on Reply
#22
AshenSugar
anybody want to buy a vlaid xp pro licence? ;)
Posted on Reply
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