# "Windows Genuine Advantage" infects my computer - Help! **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 16, 2009, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-genuine-advantage-infects-my-computer-help/513997 "2009-10-16T05:03:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2009, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-genuine-advantage-infects-my-computer-help/513997/61 "2009-10-18T01:13:04Z")
:rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2009, 8:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-genuine-advantage-infects-my-computer-help/513997/62 "2009-10-18T08:13:37Z")
> [@nyctea scandiaca](#): > > **drachillix** My strong feelings on this matter make me want to fix it myself instead of asking for help from the people who created the problem in the first place. If that means I have to reinstall everything, then that is probably what I will do. Just a sidenote. Reloading windows will end up running you through activation again too. It is also more difficult to sidestep WGA on a reinstall. When dell loaded your machine, it was from a preactivated image. A fresh install will demand WGA almost right out the starting gate. So you can spend 3-4+ hours reloading all of your crap or make a 10 min phone call. Please tell me you are not that dense. ---
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2009, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-genuine-advantage-infects-my-computer-help/513997/63 "2009-10-18T17:19:48Z")
> [@drachillix](#): > > So you can spend 3-4+ hours reloading …or make a 10 min phone call. umm, is this really true? I don’t think I have ever called _any_ tech help line, anywhere, where a real human being answers the phone within 10 minutes ---
**Author:** ![JimOfAllTrades](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@JimOfAllTrades](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JimOfAllTrades)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2009, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-genuine-advantage-infects-my-computer-help/513997/64 "2009-10-18T17:43:40Z")
Yeah, I think it’s always been about 10 minutes or less for me. I’ve had to do it several times because I’ve updated hardware on one of the hundred or so PCs I have to take care of. I’ve never had them turn me down, accuse me of anything, or even so much as bat an eye. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Piranha\_Brothers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/aca169/32.png) [@The\_Piranha\_Brothers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Piranha_Brothers)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2009, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-genuine-advantage-infects-my-computer-help/513997/65 "2009-10-18T19:08:22Z")
There is a program called remove WGA - that in itself is not illegal. I’ve tried it and it works. Within 5 seconds your computer is back to normal. Torrents, dvd copying, wga removing - it’s all legal software. If your copy is legit, just use it and be done with it. ---
**Author:** ![Fritz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c57346/32.png) [@Fritz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fritz)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2009, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-genuine-advantage-infects-my-computer-help/513997/66 "2009-10-18T19:46:34Z")
> [@The\_Piranha\_Brothers](#): > > There is a program called remove WGA - that in itself is not illegal. I’ve tried it and it works. Within 5 seconds your computer is back to normal. > > Torrents, dvd copying, wga removing - it’s all legal software. If your copy is legit, just use it and be done with it. Already suggested at post #36 and #39. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Cymbeline](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_cymbeline/32/9244_2.png) [@Green\_Cymbeline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Cymbeline)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2009, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-genuine-advantage-infects-my-computer-help/513997/67 "2009-10-18T20:10:09Z")
> [@The\_Piranha\_Brothers](#): > > There is a program called remove WGA - that in itself is not illegal. I’ve tried it and it works. Within 5 seconds your computer is back to normal. > > Torrents, dvd copying, wga removing - it’s all legal software. If your copy is legit, just use it and be done with it. Thank you, **The Piranha Brothers**. I think I may give this a try, what do I have to lose? I will report back… ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Cymbeline](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_cymbeline/32/9244_2.png) [@Green\_Cymbeline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Cymbeline)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2009, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-genuine-advantage-infects-my-computer-help/513997/68 "2009-10-18T20:52:11Z")
> [@nyctea scandiaca](#): > > Thank you, **The Piranha Brothers**. I think I may give this a try, what do I have to lose? I will report back… Well, the freeware program “Remove WGA” did the trick - the bastard is gone! 😃 Sorry to those who _really really really_ wanted me to call Microsoft… I think I am liking this solution better. I wanted this crap gone, and it appears to be gone at this point. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2009, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-genuine-advantage-infects-my-computer-help/513997/69 "2009-10-18T21:21:13Z")
> [@handsomeharry](#): > > I bought the 007 Windows Office thing from Target… The 007 version of Microsoft Office was sold legally only to MI7…please contact Miaa Moneypenny at [the SIS Building, London](http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/the-worlds-ugliest-buildings/3/?label=the-worlds-ugliest-buildings), for tech. support. Or maybe you mistyped what should have been “2007”? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Fake\_Tales\_of\_San\_Francisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8491ac/32.png) [@Fake\_Tales\_of\_San\_Francisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fake_Tales_of_San_Francisco)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2009, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-genuine-advantage-infects-my-computer-help/513997/70 "2009-10-18T21:36:50Z")
> [@The\_Piranha\_Brothers](#): > > There is a program called remove WGA - that in itself is not illegal. Is it not? I’ve tried searching for information on it, but I haven’t been able to find anything. Why is it not illegal? ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Cymbeline](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_cymbeline/32/9244_2.png) [@Green\_Cymbeline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Cymbeline)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2009, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-genuine-advantage-infects-my-computer-help/513997/71 "2009-10-18T21:46:58Z")
> [@Fake\_Tales\_of\_San\_Francisco](#): > > Is it not? I’ve tried searching for information on it, but I haven’t been able to find anything. Why is it not illegal? Why _would_ it be illegal? There are thousands of tools available to tweak and customize your computer, and AFAIK this have never been considered illegal. What law is there that says you MUST install each and every Microsoft update? What law is there that says you cannot remove a file that Microsoft placed on your machine without your permission? That is kind of like saying the Adblock extension for Firefox should be illegal, because it blocks annoying ads from displaying in your browser. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2009, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-genuine-advantage-infects-my-computer-help/513997/72 "2009-10-18T22:04:14Z")
> [@chappachula](#): > > umm, is this really true? > I don’t think I have ever called _any_ tech help line, anywhere, where a real human being answers the phone within 10 minutes Then you have no clue what you are talking about, I make this call a dozen times a week. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2009, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-genuine-advantage-infects-my-computer-help/513997/73 "2009-10-18T22:06:14Z")
> [@Fake\_Tales\_of\_San\_Francisco](#): > > Is it not? I’ve tried searching for information on it, but I haven’t been able to find anything. Why is it not illegal? Not illegal per se, but in violation of the software licencing agreement. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2009, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-genuine-advantage-infects-my-computer-help/513997/74 "2009-10-18T22:08:21Z")
> [@The\_Piranha\_Brothers](#): > > If your copy is legit, just use it and be done with it. ..and if not you have just helped facilitate software piracy. Proud of yourself now? ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Cymbeline](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_cymbeline/32/9244_2.png) [@Green\_Cymbeline](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Cymbeline)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2009, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-genuine-advantage-infects-my-computer-help/513997/75 "2009-10-18T22:29:27Z")
> [@drachillix](#): > > ..and if not you have just helped facilitate software piracy. Proud of yourself now? I have? How? I bought this computer and OS. I spent a lot of money and I am not a rich person. This is my most important and expensive possession, I expect to be able to use it without being accused of theft and having my system hijacked by unauthorized spyware. I use this machine to make my living and I take it very seriously when something interferes with that. I should not have to repeatedly prove that this is my property, by clicking or unclicking anything, or by having to spend 1 - much less 10 - minutes on the phone. I really can’t quite understand the mentality of the people here who are vigorously supporting and defending WGA, and who think that it is totally OK for Microsoft to monitor and spy on me this way, 3 years after I purchased their product fair and square. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Piranha\_Brothers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/aca169/32.png) [@The\_Piranha\_Brothers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Piranha_Brothers)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2009, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-genuine-advantage-infects-my-computer-help/513997/76 "2009-10-18T22:48:53Z")
> [@Fritz](#): > > Already suggested at post #36 and #39. True, but I thought I should stress it once again because the discussion went on about more cumbersome ways to solve it. > [@drachillix](#): > > ..and if not you have just helped facilitate software piracy. Proud of yourself now? I suppose it’s possible that the OP was really only trying to validate his illegally installed windows in a very cumbersome way and discuss it in public. However… WGAremover doesn’t pirate software - people do. The general effort against piracy rather foolishly tends to limit the ways in which you can use the legal product. CDs don’t play on the computer. And when I buy a proper DVD it often has an anti-piracy commercial that is minutes long, epilepsy-inducing and annoying, but can’t be skipped. That’s our reward for actually buying the legal copy. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2009, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-genuine-advantage-infects-my-computer-help/513997/77 "2009-10-18T23:09:48Z")
> [@nyctea scandiaca](#): > > I have? How? > > I bought this computer and OS. I spent a lot of money and I am not a rich person. This is my most important and expensive possession, I expect to be able to use it without being accused of theft and having my system hijacked by unauthorized spyware. I use this machine to make my living and I take it very seriously when something interferes with that. > > I should not have to repeatedly prove that this is my property, by clicking or unclicking anything, or by having to spend 1 - much less 10 - minutes on the phone. > > I really can’t quite understand the mentality of the people here who are vigorously supporting and defending WGA, and who think that it is totally OK for Microsoft to monitor and spy on me this way, 3 years after I purchased their product fair and square. You declined free professional help in correcting your problem. You spent days wringing your hands about how you were being inconvenienced and accused of theft. WGA is not a problem on a properly licenced machine. You dodged installing it for years then were suprised when it glitched. All of your hyperbole and paranoia aside WGA is not spyware in any realistic sense of the word as it is commonly used. I make my living on a computer too. You spent days complaining about something that would be fixed in minutes. You were inconvenienced by your own mental and or emotional failings, not by microsoft. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2009, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-genuine-advantage-infects-my-computer-help/513997/78 "2009-10-18T23:11:58Z")
> [@The\_Piranha\_Brothers](#): > > True, but I thought I should stress it once again because the discussion went on about more cumbersome ways to solve it. A call to activation is not cumbersome. Like I said, I do it dozens of times a week in my shop. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/73ab20/32.png) [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tao_s_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2009, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-genuine-advantage-infects-my-computer-help/513997/79 "2009-10-18T23:18:02Z")
> [@drachillix](#): > > WGA is not a problem on a properly licenced machine. Do you have a cite for this? ---
**Author:** ![BorgHunter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@BorgHunter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BorgHunter)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2009, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-genuine-advantage-infects-my-computer-help/513997/80 "2009-10-18T23:35:43Z")
> [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](#): > > Do you have a cite for this? What, do you expect some sort of study? A survey? What meaningful statistics could one possibly come up with to verify a statement like, “WGA is not a problem on a properly licensed machine,” besides anecdotal evidence (from a person who deals regularly with this very topic, however). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-genuine-advantage-infects-my-computer-help/513997.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/windows-genuine-advantage-infects-my-computer-help/513997.md?page=5)