How to Uninstall the Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications Screen

By Diana Monda Dill

Uninstall the Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications Screen Uninstall the Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications Screen

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One of the newer features of the Windows XP Operating System is its new validation system. The latest edition of Windows XP comes with a special application called the Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) program. This program automatically checks to verify whether or not the version of the Windows XP Operating System that you are using is actually original and authentic. If it determines that the version that you are using is an unlicensed copy, then this program will constantly prompt you to install a licensed version. However, the WGA program has been found to produce false positives, in which case, it identifies a genuine copy of Windows as being pirated. There are a number of reasons this may happen, and Microsoft is working to fix it. Needless to say, it can be frustrating just the same. This tutorial will show you how to uninstall the windows genuine advantage notifications screen until you can get the problem resolved. It involves editing your registry.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Step1
In normal XP mode, access your Task Manager by pressing the CTRL, ALT and DEL buttons together at the same time. In the screen that opens, choose the process wgatray.exe and end it. Once the process is disabled, turn off your computer.
Step2
Reboot your computer in Safe Mode. Depending on your PC, you can initiate safe mode by hitting NUM Lock, DEL, F5 or F8 keys. Once in safe mode, open the file C:\Windows\System32. Next, find and delete the file named wgatray.exe.
Step3
Go to the file C:\Windows\dllcache. Again, find and delete the file wgatray.exe.
Step4
Go to the Start Menu and select "Run." In the command prompt, type regedit. This opens the registry editor.
Step5
In the Registry Editor, locate the file HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE_\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\ CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Notify.
Step6
Go to this registry key and delete the file WgaLogon.
Step7
Close the Registry Editor. Shut down your computer and restart your Windows normally. You will again receive the Windows Genuine Advantage Notification” screen again. Unselect it this time.

Tips & Warnings

  • You must use extreme caution if you need to make any change in your registry. Editing your registry involves bypassing standard safeguards that are otherwise provided by Windows.

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eHow Article:  How to Uninstall the Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications Screen

eHow Member: Diana Monda Dill

Diana Monda Dill

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Category: Computers

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