What is WGA (Windows Genuine Advantage)?

Windows Genuine Advantage or WGA as it is more commonly known as is an anti-piracy feature devised by Microsoft to combat illegal versions or pirated versions of Windows from being used. WGA can prevent your machine from being able to download the latest updates from Microsoft if it deems your software as not being genuine.

These updates are used to protect your PC from security threats. Running an illegal or pirated version of Windows is a security risk. To check the Validity of your Windows just go here and follow the instructions. You can validate your OS (Operating System) XP, Vista, Windows 7 or even your MS Office suite.

http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/validate/ValidateNow.aspx?displaylang=en

If your machine passes then you have nothing to worry about with regards to the legitimacy of Windows. If your machine fails, do not panic. There are lots of reasons as to why your PC may fail. People that purchase their PC's through second hand or from their company are sometimes inadvertent victims of no longer having a legitimate version of Windows. These are sometimes known as VLK's Volume License Keys. These keys are used by companies when buying a large number of licenses to use for their business. Usually when the companies upgrade their PC's, they will sometimes sell some of them to employees at a large discount. What they neglect to tell you is that over time your License will expire from Microsoft. While you the USER has done nothing illegal or wrong, you are nonetheless stuck with an illegitimate version of Windows.

The solution is very simple to solve this problem. Unfortunately it costs money. The solution to this problem to make your Windows a legitimate version is to pay Microsoft $149.99 to make your copy legitimate which enables you to get updates. If you are using an illegitimate version of Windows, Microsoft will not hunt you down or prosecute you. You will not be able to get support from them if you need it in the form of updates or Tech Support. The process is quick and easy and you can be legit in a matter of minutes usually.

There a few viruses that can cause WGA to misinform you that your Software is not legitimate. Though very rare they are out there so if you are 100% sure your PC was bought from the store and you are getting this message, then it could be a sign your PC is infected. You should scan your PC with your Security Software to make sure. If everything comes up clean and you still are having an issue with WGA, you may want to contact Microsoft especially if you purchased the PC at a Bestbuy etc.

Most issues with WGA are usually related to Windows XP. Vista also has WGA but it is a bit different than XP. There are plenty copies of Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7 that are available for downloading for free. These are pirated copies of the software that many people use. These product keys are posted on the Internet for people to use. Over time as Microsoft discovers these they deactivate the bad license keys so while it may be working fine for you at one time, in the future it could stop working. By using these bad keys you are taking a risk for the price of not having to pay for Windows.

There are even some Semi-Scammers out there who will claim to fix your PC, and install an illegal version of Windows while charging you for a legitimate version. They may have acquired the license keys through various means. Many times they will disable Automatic Updates and WGA itself so that you will never know your copy is bad unless you try to download some updates or Validate your Windows. Most problems with your PC should not require a reinstall of Windows so watch out for those.

Using a illegitimate version of Windows can result in odd quirks and other oddities on your PC. Some things may or may not work. Without being able to guarantee the integrity of your Windows, errors or problems can be much harder to track down. Illegal versions of Windows can have different files, etc so these may cause other problems as well. At ZolexPC we do not guarantee work on a PC with an illegitimate version of Windows. By having some system files compromised in one regard or another it takes away the true integrity of the file system.

Having a legitimate version of Windows is an important component to your PC's health. If you can not get the latest updates and protections from Microsoft, your PC is vulnerable to attack. You may not get a virus or an infection but there could be holes in your security net. Remember that viruses and infections are designed to exploit holes and vulnerabilities in Windows. Windows Updates is your defense against some of these. True Protection comes from an Updated Windows (Priority updates) , good Security Software(including AV, Antispyware) and vigilance on the User as well. Having a weakness in any one of these items can increase the change for your PC to contract an infection.

For many people who do have an illegitimate version out there, until you have a problem I would not worry about it too much. If you are running Windows XP, you are only going to have the PC for another year or two before you upgrade. I do not see the need to spend the money unless your PC was compromised or if you were working with sensitive data.

Remember that most of these issues related to WGA are usually from buying a PC second hand. Whether it is from a garage sale, Flea market, Black Market, place of employment, or other means, you are saving money but could be getting an illegitimate version of Windows either now or down the road.

Thanks for reading and have a great rest of the week.

Steve

www.zolexpc.com