Windows Genuine Advantage Validation

Just what is Windows Genuine Advantage (aka WGA)? According to Microsoft it is a way they can reward their customers for using genuine (read “legal”) copies of their software. But is it really that simple or is there something more sinister behind the process? Besides, if you are using only legitimate software is it really a big deal? The whole process appears to not be as simple and straight forward as Microsoft would lead you to believe.

It appears that one could actually view it as a way for Microsoft to reward its legitimate customers by providing some small token of appreciation.

What are the advantages of Windows validation?
In addition to having the confidence that you are using a copy of Windows that is licensed and fully supported by Microsoft or a trusted partner, genuine Windows customers can take advantage of:
• Free downloads from the Microsoft Download Center.
• Free updates for Windows from Windows Update.
• Special offers, including free downloads, special promotions, and discounts. For more information, see Windows Genuine Advantage Special Offers.

Let’s look at this a little closer.
Free downloads from the Microsoft Download Center: Looking at a list of the 50 most popular downloads there I only see 14 that aren’t free anyway (even on systems that have not been validated). Of those 14, most are either beta’s or intended for use by IT professionals.
Free updates for Windows from Windows Update: If you use the automatic update feature of Windows you do not have to go through the validation process to download updates (of course that is until Windows Update installs the WGA validation tool automatically for you as a high priority update). It only comes into play when a user actually goes to the site to manually download updates or after Windows Update installs it for you. Even then, critical security updates aren’t affected which primarily leaves fixes to bugs in the software you purchased with the full expectation that it wouldn’t have them to begin with.
Special Offers: I personally didn’t see much there that would be of any benefit to the average user.

But the issues with the whole concept don’t appear to be even that straightforward…but that will have to wait for the next issue. Suffice it to say that some people who have totally legitimate copies of Microsoft software are being identified as pirates…some statistics put the error rate at over 40 percent. Then there are the privacy concerns…just how much does Microsoft really need to know about you.

Stay tuned…

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