Update to WGA Notifications for Windows XP Pro

Starting this week, we will begin deployment of the latest version of WGA Notifications for Windows XP.  In addition to the usual updates to validation that improve WGA's ability to detect the latest stolen or fake product keys and other attempts to circumvent product activation, this release will also include a couple of other significant updates.

With this release we've improved the design making it easier to install the update and to stay up to date with the latest release of WGA. This release focuses on the product edition that we find is most often counterfeited, Windows XP Professional. 

This update includes the latest validation information including recently stolen or misused product keys and other information. Also changing with this update is the installation process. It has been updated so that once the update has been downloaded by Automatic Updates (completely in line with your existing AU settings) after the next login or reboot the install wizard (below) will be presented to the user and they will be able to choose whether to install the update in the same way as in past releases.

Customers who installed the last update will simply have the validation information (new product keys etc.) be updated without their needing to go through the install process again.

After installing this version of WGA Notifications on a copy of Windows XP that fails the validation a users experience of Windows would include (same as with the last release) first a message at their next logon indicating that they might be a victim of software counterfeiting. They would see that their desktop has changed to a plain black background and they will see a persistent desktop notification above the system tray as well as messages from the system tray offering additional information and ways that the customer can report the piracy or obtain a genuine copy of Windows. See this previous blog post for more info on the included notifications experience.

 As always, feel free to offer your feedback.

 Thanks!

-Alex Kochis

Director, Genuine Windows