How To Remove Windows Genuine Advantage Notification (WGA)

by usman on July 16, 2010

in Troubleshooting and Fixes

What is Windows Genuine Advantage Notification?

Remove WGA in Windows 7Windows Genuine Advantage is a software anti-piracy program started by Microsoft in 2005. It enforces the online validation of some of the Microsoft products. It is automatically installed if Windows Automatic Updates are enabled. If goes to the Windows Update site, it will ask you for installing this validation tool before you can select the updates from the Microsoft update website. By accepting to install this validation tool, an ActiveX component in Internet Explorer is installed.

What does it do?

If, for some reason, this tool fails to validate your Windows, then it’ll always show you a warning that you may be a victim of software counterfeiting and that your Windows is not genuine. It will show up on your logon screen and make you wait for some seconds. And when you logon, it will just site in your status bar and will keep annoying you.

Here is the description of Windows Genuine Advantage Tool from Microsoft.

When this tool is installed, it shows up before logging on to the system

This copy of Windows is not genuine

And keeps on displaying the balloons in the status bar.

Windows Vista

Windows Genuine Advantage WGA in Windows Vista

Windows XP

Windows Genuine Advantage WGA in Windows XP

What data does WGA collect?

This tool, if installed, collects the following data from the system.

  • Computer make and model
  • BIOS checksum.
  • MAC address.
  • GUID
  • Hard drive serial number.
  • Region and language settings of the operating system.
  • Operating system version.
  • PC BIOS information (make, version, date).
  • PC manufacturer.
  • User locale setting.
  • Validation and installation results.
  • Windows or Office product key.
  • Windows XP product ID.

How to remove WGA notification:

There are several ways to disable WGA notification. Some of them are given below:

1- Through Firewall

WGA notification can easily be disable through your firewall. You can disable the automatic startup of wgatray.exe and wgalogon.dll through your firewall. This will disable WGA notifications and this will do no harm to the system.

2- Through third party softwares

There are many softwares available which can disable WGA notifications. Notable softwares include WGARemover and MUBlinder.

3- Through System Restore

If you have installed WGA by mistake, you can always use your system restore to get rid of it. Restore your system to the point where WGA was not installed.

Restart your system once you’re finished. If you are having problems with following these steps, please write in comments.

Some of the users complained that these methods do not work with Windows 7 but you can also use these tricks to get rid of WGA in Windows 7 too. Here is a very helpful video on how to remove Windows Genuine Advantage:

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{ 83 comments… read them below or add one }

sanjeet July 16, 2010 at 12:13 PM

i have installed WGA notification by mistake. every time my login the desktop wallpaper becomes black and notification comes in the notification area. i want to remove this . help me.

lido stephen July 17, 2010 at 3:23 AM

i have installed WGA notification by mistake. every time my login the desktop wallpaper becomes black and notification comes in the notification area. i want to remove this . help me.

satyendrapal July 17, 2010 at 5:33 AM

i don’t need this softwere

satyendrapal July 17, 2010 at 5:41 AM

i don’t need this softwere because i have installed by mistake.every time my login the desktop become black
and notification comes in the notification area i want remove this WGA Please help me

atocle July 17, 2010 at 11:25 AM

J’ai instaler window genuine advantage sur mon poste et chaque fois ce logiciel m’enbette

arocle July 17, 2010 at 11:32 AM

Je l’ai intaller par erreur(window genuine advantage) et je veux le desinstaller, aider moi

hari chandan July 17, 2010 at 4:54 PM

please assist me to remove this software it is disturbing the normal system functioning

wire guys July 18, 2010 at 2:51 AM

plz go wire guys for help.

devesh singh July 18, 2010 at 5:21 AM

i have installed WGA notification by mistake. every time my login the desktop wallpaper becomes black and notification comes in the notification area. i want to remove this . help me.

devesh singh July 19, 2010 at 3:52 PM

i have installed WGA notification by mistake. every time my login the desktop wallpaper becomes black and notification comes in the notification area. i want to remove this

cyrus July 31, 2010 at 11:47 AM

i have installed WGA notification by mistake. every time my login the desktop wallpaper becomes black and notification comes in thenotification area. i want to remove this . help me.

Omar July 31, 2010 at 8:52 PM

I have not installed it but at startup a window opens asking me to install it. I Want to remove this!

skdubey August 8, 2010 at 3:35 AM

WGA notification can easily be disable.
start your system in safe mode
go to c:/windows/system32
on toolbar click tools/folder options/vew
check on show hidden files
uncheck hide extensions for non file types

search
all files and folder
wga*.* enter
delete all wgasatup.exe and other wga named files

done
restart your pc

sal August 13, 2010 at 10:45 PM

if you want to DOWNLOAD anime update

SUHAIL August 17, 2010 at 6:20 AM

There are several methods available in the Internet to disable and remove Windows Genuine notifications. So far, I think My Digital Life has the most complete collection of the methods.

One of the method, which tested and proved to work by my friend, is delete WgaTray.exe in Windows\ System32 and Windows\ System32\ dllcache, then edit Windows Registry to delete WgaLogon folder under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ SOFTWARE\ Microsoft\ Windows NT\ CurrentVersion\ WinlogonNotify.

aman August 19, 2010 at 4:32 PM

plz send me information how to remove wga by special software

sam August 20, 2010 at 4:50 PM

still have funky black desktop telling me i don’t have a genuine windows BUT wgatray.exe is NOWHERE ON MY COMPUTER, not in system32, not in “cmd” -nwhere

Teo August 23, 2010 at 11:05 AM

visit my blog…

[URL Snipped: Self promotion not allowed]

ritesh August 24, 2010 at 5:44 AM

How To Remove Windows Genuine Advantage Notification (WGA)

venu August 24, 2010 at 1:48 PM

I have not installed it but at startup a window opens asking me to install it. I Want to remove this!

rayhul August 27, 2010 at 9:25 AM

ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssoooooooooooooooooooooooooooboooorinnnng!!!!!!!!!!!!

bhushan August 29, 2010 at 7:05 AM

how to remove notification you may be a victim of software counterfeiting on my pc right bottom corner

Alok Singh August 31, 2010 at 6:51 PM

i use Windows.Genuine.Advantage.Validation.v1.9.9.1.CRACKED-iND when I had that problemm

bagosbanget September 6, 2010 at 2:26 AM

yesm and i love using third party software. thanks for sharing!

thava September 7, 2010 at 10:05 AM

every time i open my laptop the wga update came out. hw to solve this….?

balaji September 9, 2010 at 2:37 AM

i have installed WGA notification by mistake. every time my login the desktop wallpaper becomes black and notification comes in the notification area. i want to remove this . help me.

jayson September 11, 2010 at 8:26 PM

yo!! just go to windows>system32… the scroll right to the bottom and look for wga.exe and rename the -EXE- to -jpg- so it should look like wga.jpg… then restart your pc,-THE NOTIFICATION AREA WGA IS HISTORY!!. BUT GO BACK TO WINDOWS>SYSTEM32> AND FIND WGA.JPG AND DELETE IT AND RESTART YOUR PC. THEN IT IS 100% DONE! YOU WONT GET ANY PROBLEMS AFTER THAT.

Zorroaca September 15, 2010 at 4:20 PM

The original advice about the firewall and software WGARemover did the trick for me!!!!!! After hours of following other peoples BS!!!!!

WGARemover smokes!!!!

manish September 22, 2010 at 8:10 AM

my screen is black its irritating me so please suggests the way to remove wga.

kpzie September 28, 2010 at 7:16 AM

I cldn’t find wga.exe in my sys32 folder but my windows is still telling me its not genunine. What should I do pls.

ravi September 30, 2010 at 5:15 AM

im using windows 7. i have successfully removed wga notification but still my desktop screen is blackand if apply any theme it becomes black always.please help me how to remove black screen…………

TT October 1, 2010 at 11:39 AM

no solution for windows vista

kapperbeast October 3, 2010 at 2:31 PM

im running windows 7 vista and i have somehow managed to make windows not notificate me on start up but everytime i use something preinstalled i get same old anoying message.
does anyone know how to make that thing stay down?

oh ya and when i check wether its geunine or not i see the message that it will automatically activate in 3 days. is this good or bad?

me October 3, 2010 at 2:52 PM

Microsoft found another trick, they have means to know that wga.exe and so on are no longer installed on your computer (because you removed it) and a new window pops up saying you must install the windows verification program to check your computer with a link to it.
I have this pop up window each time I use a microsoft program lile windowspad etc..

that_guy93 October 4, 2010 at 2:43 PM

try using command prompt and click processes and look for wgalogon.dll and wgatray.exe. when u find them right click and click end process tree, or if you can (im not shure if u can or not, i havent ised windows 7 in a while) try right clicking the process and clicking open file location and deleting the file thing.
email me at zdsmithadmsvll@aol.com if this worked for your windows 7, please tell me what version of windows 7 you have.

luqman khan October 4, 2010 at 3:20 PM

sir i want to remove the message in my computer that the copy of window is not genuine plz give me soft idea for this to solve.

kapperbeast October 6, 2010 at 8:53 PM

@that_guy93
i have windows 7 ultimate and there dosnt seem to be any of those process in my process tab on task manager

hari October 10, 2010 at 7:50 AM

i am getting problem due to microsoft geninue problem help me

kalai October 14, 2010 at 3:55 PM

if you cannot delete the wgatray.exe and wgalogon.dll
do one thing just create two text document in system 32 and rename it as WgaLogon.dll , WgaTray respectively and once again rename original wgatray.exe and wgalogon.dll as any name then restart your computer

maseo October 23, 2010 at 11:17 AM

for windows 7.
If you have used an activator to crack your system, and you get the ‘ software piracy ‘ po up, and desktop goes black, heres how you fix it.

1- boot up with your windows 7 install disc.
2- on the install screen select ‘ repair my computer / select advanced repair options.

3- select command prompt from new options list.
4- type this command line

bootsect.exe /nt60 c:

(make sure its exact and you insert spaces where needed ) (space after ‘,exe –space after ‘nt60 )
5- hit enter
6- you should get a line stateing ‘bootfiles succesfully reset.
7-reboot PC.
8- now open the loader you origanaly used and select’ unload’ if available. ( if not dont worry )
10- reatart PC.
11- use the latest loader from daz, here :

maxupload . com /files/Uqw12fs1287832263.html

12- run the loader, wait for pop up to restart PC, restart.
13- windows is now activated, and you can now apply your themes / wallpapers again.

nb– if you install the KB971033 update first, then run the new loader, you can go to microsoft and get your windows validated and made genuine by uncle Bill Gates. I advise you to do so, once this is done, to stop windows activation technologies checking system each time you boot, follow these simple steps.

go to start menu / search and type in services
next , in the list, select the services icon that looks like a gear cog>>next, scroll down to ‘windows activation technologies’>>right click it and select ‘ properties’>>from the dropdown box labeled ‘start up type’>>select disabled>>apply>>ok>>close services>>reboot pc.
Thats it you are now genuine and validated forever.
peace.

command line

sylvester ogah November 6, 2010 at 11:29 AM

i have tried to remove wga pop up from my pc using System Restore and Firewall without success. i need help please.

What is the meaning of URI?

CuppyHouse November 7, 2010 at 10:09 AM

great

Thanks alot!

butterfly November 8, 2010 at 7:59 PM

kpzie kpzie September 28th, 2010 at 7:16 AM 31

I cldn’t find wga.exe in my sys32 folder but my windows is still telling me its not genunine. What should I do pls.

Hun, when you go to the Sys32 folder you have to go to Tools then click on View. After that click Show All Hidden Files and UNCHECK Hide Extensions For Knows File Types.
Then click on Search then type in wga*.* delete all files that’ll come up. Then do a restart.

Damu November 23, 2010 at 12:05 PM

dear sir, i removed wga from m pc system32 and it is not asking me to install but when i opened excel it seems again here n its tools appearing in excel how can i remove wga tool from my microsoft excel or word ?

varun November 24, 2010 at 9:51 AM

fuck man………………..it’s all solusations are not working
write something else

Dk November 28, 2010 at 8:50 AM

sir,
please help me the genuine advantage is reach in my office world what i do

jemby December 18, 2010 at 11:41 AM

My Pc can no longer start up due to Wndows genuine validation,everytime I type my password at start up,it logs me off ,I can’t access my Pc, pls Help

Rick Walkwe January 2, 2011 at 8:23 PM

I was always being remided that Excel 2003 was not genuine. All I did was to do an Ctrl+Alt+Del when the notice showed up. While in task manager under process I did an end task on Wga Add it file and the problem has not returned.

Aloyce Majala January 7, 2011 at 7:04 PM

Try it didn’t work!

Arvind January 8, 2011 at 5:30 PM

hey all, go to windows> system32… the scroll right to the bottom and look for wga.exe or wga.dll and rename the -exe- or -dll- to “-jpg-” so it will look like wga.jpg… a small picture, then restart your pc, -THE NOTIFICATION
AREA WGA IS totally gone!!! BUT GO BACK TO WINDOWS> SYSTEM32> AND FIND WGA.JPG
AND DELETE IT AND RESTART YOUR PC. THEN IT IS 100% DONE! YOU WONT GET ANY PROBLEMS AFTER THAT.

wgaLogon

Arvind January 8, 2011 at 5:32 PM

example of it…

wgaLogon.jpg

find it and delete it

Braveheart January 15, 2011 at 2:49 AM

This is new to me pls. How do I locate windows (windows> system32) I use Window 7.

SUYOG January 16, 2011 at 10:53 AM

3 months before i had installed wga but now i have remove it through wga remover sioftware butt stiil i am not able to get windows updates .please send me any ways or any software so that i could get windows updates.help me

awesome January 18, 2011 at 9:11 AM

pretty awesome guy

thePRSF January 20, 2011 at 8:44 PM

You don’t actually have to remove anything!! The WGA is a “scheduled task” set to run at system startup. If you open up Scheduled Tasks [All Programs/Accessories/System Tools/Schedule Taks] you can simply delete it from the list. (click on the WGA task and delete it) When you reboot and Windows loads, no WGA! You don’t have to worry about messing with your registry (you shouldn’t do that anyway unless you know exactly what it is you are doing) Nothing in your system has to change!! And since you’ve already had WGA installed (via an automatic update let’s say), you don’t have to worry about downloading it again or having the fear of not getting all the updates your system needs because you’ve disabled it.

mystal January 26, 2011 at 7:27 PM

The Only Safe way is to backup all your files that u need and format your Hard Drive and reinstall windows, i know its a pain in the a$$, but if you don’t want to buy it that’s all you can do, and then Disable Autoupdates to manual and just update your machine every day with the new update just read what the patch notes are look for something like Serial key or something like activation .. and just don’t install it, i did this for a while, but its just cheaper to buy the thing and have no problems fking around for it

vinx January 27, 2011 at 11:37 AM

simple as 1+1 in ur problem…follow this step..go to drive C:>>windows>>system32>>look for wgaLogon.dll>>>rename it to wgaLogon.dll.bak>>then to go notepad make and save it as wgaLogon.dll and paste it to system32 and restart..thats all,ur problem SOLVE!!

Guss February 7, 2011 at 9:10 PM

Many thanx for all, i don`t have a problem in my PC,
but my friend have WGA problem, am assist him by steps above from ARVIND, he is working properly,,,,

vicky February 11, 2011 at 9:23 AM

windows 7How To Remove Windows Genuine Advantage Notification (WGA)

kishore mahatha February 16, 2011 at 10:43 AM

i have windows 7 operating system , when i start windows windows show a black screen & say pls activate windows normaly. how can i off this message. pls help me

aka February 17, 2011 at 4:47 AM

i have problem with my window7 ultimate. window shows that it is priated built 7600 and need to be activated every time i turn on my system. i ve tried every thing to shut this notification but non works, ther is no wga on my system32 folder but still this message pops, anyone plz help!!!!!

happy February 18, 2011 at 2:44 PM

Solutions didn’t help me…
nor ur third party softwares
i tried both wgaremover & MUblinder.
both result didn’t find wgalogon.exe
And i m also sure of that i didn’t install Wga, nor do i update my windows.
help

JAM February 18, 2011 at 7:06 PM

GUYS THIS HAD ME GOING CRAZY FOR MONTHS, YOU WANT THE SIMPLE SOLUTION?….

SIMPLY RENAME THE FILES FROM ‘ wgalogon.exe ‘ TO ‘wgalogonbye.exe’ AND ‘ wgatray.exe TO ‘wgatraybye.exe’

YOU CAN CHOOSE ANY RENAME THOSE JUST EXAMPLES, SO BLOODY SIMPLE AND IT WORKS!

AMAZING ALL THE SECURITY NOT BEING ABLE TO REMOVE AND SUCH, SIMPLY TO RENAME PROBLEM SOLVED!

YES I AM KING………..LOL

Gurion Lev February 21, 2011 at 7:43 PM

@ thePRSF gave the most nicest & easiest way to get rid of this nag screen.

Thanks.

Sigmund Gorflorbet February 23, 2011 at 1:37 AM

I am a cunt please help me!

minnie mouse February 24, 2011 at 9:18 PM

Thankyou “thePRSF” that was so easy, and worked instantly!
A tip for after you get rid of the warning notification, just incase they do send it again. Turn off automatic updates in the windows security setting & set it to ask you first. That way it will onlycome back if you let it!

suresh March 2, 2011 at 12:17 AM

i have installed WGA notification by mistake. every time my login the desktop wallpaper becomes black and notification comes in the notification area. i want to remove this

please help me to remove

suresh March 2, 2011 at 12:19 AM

i have installed WGA notification by mistake. every time my login the desktop wallpaper becomes black and notification comes in the notification area. i want to remove this

please help me to remove
tell me the solution for removing

john March 13, 2011 at 7:27 AM

Hi, I’ on Win7 and none of the mentioned methods work because none of the files are in there.

“(click on the WGA task and delete it) When you reboot and Windows loads, no WGA! You don’t have to worry about messing with your registry ”

No wga task was there ?

Also tried windows> system32… the scroll right to the bottom and look for wga.exe or wga.dll and rename the -exe- or -dll- to “-jpg-” so it will look like wga.jpg… a small picture, then restart your pc, -THE NOTIFICATION
AREA WGA IS totally gone!!! BUT GO BACK TO WINDOWS> SYSTEM32> AND FIND WGA.JPG
AND DELETE IT AND RESTART YOUR PC. THEN IT IS 100% DONE! YOU WONT GET ANY PROBLEMS AFTER THAT.

Did not find any wga. files ?

What’s going on, none of the files mentioned to look for are on my computer ?

hyder April 27, 2011 at 6:30 AM

that bro @ arvind no 51 i follo it
its work bro thanks u somuch

vicky April 27, 2011 at 12:44 PM

How To Remove Windows 7 file Genuine Advantage Notification (WGA) p/z help

Tom April 30, 2011 at 8:24 PM

If I remember correctly, just do not agree to the license agreement and that should take care of it

trish May 8, 2011 at 6:03 PM

If u are on windows7, u should be searching for an app named “slui” in systems32 and not wga, delete it and voila

diana May 24, 2011 at 7:54 PM

@ Arvind

Thank you so much for the tip! Far simpler than any other steps I tried following and most effective! Computer’s running smoothly now :)

Fian June 1, 2011 at 2:07 PM

thanks for the tips :)
it’s really good :)

mukesh karki June 6, 2011 at 3:16 AM

thanks alot

Ashish basnet June 11, 2011 at 2:13 AM

thanks it was very helpful for me………

Naveen June 12, 2011 at 3:58 PM

Hi
Thank you very much to remove the notification displayed on my computer

junimeefernandez June 29, 2011 at 8:51 AM

c:/windows/system32
on toolbar click tools/folder options/vew
check on show hidden files
uncheck hide extensions for non file types

search
all files and folder
wga*.* enter
delete all wgasatup.exe and other wga named file
i follow this instruction but no i cant see wgasatup.exe or wgalogon, instead winlogon.exe what is this means??? im using window xp….

Proud to be Pinoy November 28, 2011 at 11:12 AM

thanks a lot sir! in “MABUHAY PO KAYO!”

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