Microsoft Genuine Advantage – 7B296FB0-376B-497E-B012-9C450E1B7327-2P-1.C7483456-A289-439D-8115-601632D005A0

7B296FB0-376B-497E-B012-9C450E1B7327-2P-1.C7483456-A289-439D-8115-601632D005A0 will appear as a hidden file in your Windows\System32 folder. It is the WPA encrypted store that installs with the Windows Genuine Advantage update. Files called wgalogon.dll, Wgatray.exe, and genuinecheck.exe may also appear on your system.

Microsoft describes Genuine Advatnage as follows: "By using genuine Microsoft software, you can be confident that your software is legitimate and fully supported by Microsoft. Learn more about how Microsoft is working to protect consumers against counterfeit and pirated software below." More information can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/default.mspx?displaylang=en.

Windows Genuine Advantage consists of an initial validation that makes sure your copy of Windows XP is legitimate and a notification process that reminds those who fail validation to go buy Windows. This tool is quite controversial because it "phones home" contacting Microsoft daily. Others cite instances in which the tool fails to recognize some versions of Windows as valid. Still others feel as though it shouldn't be bundled with Critical Updates, a mechanism that had initially been designed to deliver updates that fix critical security problems.

If you don't have a problem with the software, leave these files in place. If you'd prefer that it not run on your system, the files can be removed using WinPatrol by removing them from your Startup Programs and IE Helpers and hidden files. Another option is to run RemoveWGA. More information can be found at http://www.firewallleaktester.com/removewga.htm. Once Windows Genuine Advantage has been removed, Windows Update will start bugging you to intsall it again.

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Microsoft