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1.  

   No Subject Given

   

   Anonymous Coward, Jan 17th, 2005 @ 1:28pm

   
   

   Resistance is futile you will be assimalated

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2.  

   Microsoft Using Anti-Spyware App To Combat Unautho

   

   Brian Riley, Jan 17th, 2005 @ 2:36pm

   
   

   They instituted that change for ALL downloads from Microsoft Sites, except updates, over a month ago. They think it will cut down on the number of boot leg copies of windows in use. They are of course wrong.

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3.  

   hmm, so the spammers could attack the upgrade

   

   nonuser, Jan 17th, 2005 @ 2:42pm

   
   

   by creating a hidden dummy file called GenuineCheck.exe in the same directory that Microsoft uses, and setting its attributes to read-only. Or something

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4.  

   ms spyware

   

   Anonymous Coward, Jan 18th, 2005 @ 3:02am

   
   

   
   so switch to osx. the latest mac mini makes it easier. thou if apple was REALLY aggressive, they would bundle migration tools to transfer your outlook/email & calendar stuff etc.

   if steve was serious bout poking billy in the eye, the mini would boot up, ask u to plug in the crossover cable & then migrate your shiat onto it. perhaps followed by a msg that says ring 1800-recycle to have your ex-x86-pc picked up & sent to some disadvantged christians in idaho or phuket.

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5.  

   Avoiding the check is needed

   

   Anonymous Coward, Jan 18th, 2005 @ 5:24am

   
   

   I wish MS would get rid of the check completely, but since it is something we need to live with I'm glad we can get around it.
   I don't use windows but I fix ALOT of windows machines. I do all of my downloads from OS X to avoid all of the nasties I clean on others computers.
   If MS forced verification, I would actually need to purchase windows just to download the app. I don't want to do that.

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6.  

   Big Deal

   

   Steve Mueller, Jan 18th, 2005 @ 9:45am

   
   

   However, others are beginning to wonder why Microsoft is forcing people to prove they have a legitimate version of Windows just to download their anti-spyware application.

   Wow, how awful. A company that may not want to give software to people who have stolen their product. Imagine that.

   If I stole a Ford, found out that there was a recall for some problem, and took it to the dealer to fix, would I have any right to complain if the dealer ran a check to ensure the vehicle wasn't stolen?

   I'm not a Microsoft fan, but why shouldn't the company verify that the user is running an authorized copy of Windows? I suppose if Microsoft is patching a hole that could cause other legitimate users problems (Blaster, etc.), they should allow unauthorized users to get that, but spyware/adware only hurts the user of that machine.

   It seems hypocritical to complain that Microsoft produces buggy software and then steal it and use it.

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7.  

   MS the virtuous

   

   aNonMooseCowherd, Jan 18th, 2005 @ 10:20pm

   
   

   It seems unlikely that Microsoft would actually stoop this low

   What tree have you been hiding under?

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8.  

   Not really, not yet.

   

   Ed, Jan 19th, 2005 @ 8:59am

   
   

   At the top of the original article you'll now find the following:

   Editor's note: This column is in error. The download site for Microsoft's anti-virus software strongly encourages users to run the company's validation software, but does not require it. SecurityFocus apologizes for the mistake

   This matches my experience when downloading the anti-spyware beta software. Although validating was encouraged, it was not mandatory.

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9.  

   Re: hmm, so the spammers could attack the upgrade

   

   tim, Jul 27th, 2005 @ 2:23pm

   
   

   Hi,
   Where can I get a copy of genuinecheck.exe and anything I need to know about installing it?
   
   Tim

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10.  

    No Subject Given

    

    Anonymous Coward, Aug 2nd, 2005 @ 1:54pm

    
    

    Apparently there are a coupe of other workarounds to keep WGA at bay. Either you can paste “javascript:void(window.g_sDisableWGACheck=’all’) (no quotes) into the address bar of Internet Explorer before clicking the “Express” or “Custom” installs in the Automatic Update feature, or try opening IE, click Tools, Manage Addons, then select the ‘Addons that have been used by Internet Explorer’ option and disable the “Windows Product Advantage” addon. Both options have been tested and work, at least as of this post.

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11.  

    Re: hmm, so the spammers could attack the upgrade

    

    Anonymous Coward, Aug 2nd, 2005 @ 1:57pm

    
    

    Apparently there are a coupe of other workarounds to keep WGA at bay. Either you can paste “javascript:void(window.g_sDisableWGACheck=’all’) (no quotes) into the address bar of Internet Explorer before clicking the “Express” or “Custom” installs in the Automatic Update feature, or try opening IE, click Tools, Manage Addons, then select the ‘Addons that have been used by Internet Explorer’ option and disable the “Windows Product Advantage” addon. Both options have been tested and work, at least as of this post.
    it works

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