Microsoft has just released a new version (v1.8.0031.0,) of infamous Windows Genuine Validation (WGA) for Windows XP. This enhanced version of WGA is supposed to have improved detection and will enforce Vista like anti piracy measures on Windows XP. It will display an annoying reminder "You may be a victim of software counterfeiting" whenever a pirated version is detected. Additionally, it will reset the desktop wallpaper to a blank black screen every 60 minutes.
You can change the wallpaper manually but that would be a pain in the ass to do every hour. One thing you can do is that you can use a simple wallpaper changer tool and schedule it to change the wallpaper every hour, right after WGA resets the background to black. The message and wallpaper changes will not go away until you install a valid key and activate Windows properly.
The new version (v1.8.0031.0) of Windows Genuine Advantage , is distributed via Windows Update (KB905474) as well as through Microsoft Download Center . Pirated XP users who unknowingly download this will be in for a surprise. Not all users will see the update right now as it is just released and will be rolled out gradually to the huge user base via Windows Update.
Right now the pirated users are left with few choices;
- Choose not to install KB905474 by setting Windows Updates to manual mode and then excluding KB905474 from selected updates.
- Manually remove WGA from their machine via a removal tool such as RemoveWGA (You computer won't pass genuine validation so some updates will be off limits to you)
- Purchase a legitimate version of Windows XP - Oh wait. You can't! XP is no longer sold so you will have to......Upgrade to Vista!
The real question will be as to how long will it take a scene group to crack this version of WGA as they did with so many times in the past.
[Click Here] to read MSDN blog post on this WGA release
