How to Bypass Windows XP Genuine Validation

The Windows Genuine Validation reminder that appears on XP systems can be stopped.

Microsoft uses their Windows Genuine Validation program, also known as Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA), to protect itself and its customers from pirated or counterfeit versions of their operating systems. Users are reminded to register and validate their software with a pop-up window every time they start their computers. This frequently occurs on those Windows XP systems that have downloaded one of the Windows Service Packs. If you are one of those users that does not want to register their legitimately purchased software, then you can bypass the WGA reminders.

Instructions

1. Restart your Windows XP operating system. When it begins to reboot, start Windows in Safe Mode by pressing "F8" on your keyboard.

2. Click the Windows "Start" button. Click on "Run." A text box will appear. Type the word "regedit" into the text box (without the quotation marks). Click "OK." The registry editor will open.

3. Scroll down until you locate the folder named "wgalogon." Delete it.

4. Conduct a search for all wga files within the Windows directory by typing
   "wga*" into the search text box and then clicking "Search." Delete the wga files that populate,and close the registry editor.

5. Restart your Windows XP operating system in normal mode (do not press "F8") and you will not be bothered by the Windows Genuine Validation anymore.

References

• Microsoft: Genuine Microsoft Software