Validate your copy of Windows XP with Windows Genuine Advantage

by Greg Shultz | Mar 22, 2006 8:00:00 AM

Tags: Operating systems, Microsoft Windows Genuine Advantage, Greg Shultz, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Windows XP, WGA, Windows XP Tips Newsletter

Takeaway: Microsoft is taking a hard line on counterfeit software with its Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) program. Learn about the validation process, and get your copy of Windows XP authenticated before you attempt to download updates. Greg Shultz gives us the facts on WGA.

Have you heard about Microsoft's Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) program yet? If not, chances are good that you will sooner or later—especially if you go to download additional software from the Microsoft Web site.

WGA is part of Microsoft's ongoing effort to protect its customers and partners from counterfeit software, and to increase customer awareness of the value of authentic Windows XP software. As a part of this program, you will be required to validate your copy of Windows whenever you request a genuine Windows download from the Microsoft Download Center or Windows Update. Validation is a process that verifies that your copy of Windows is genuine.

You can learn more about WGA by reading the Genuine Windows FAQ and viewing Microsoft's Genuine Windows online demo. Once you know the ins and outs of the program, I recommend that you click the Validate Now button on the Genuine Microsoft Software site and follow the onscreen instructions to validate your copy of Windows XP.

Note: This tip applies to both Windows XP Professional and Windows XP Home.

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Slipstreamed copy Fslot@... | 03/22/06

Details... Greg Shultz | 03/22/06

null Fslot@... | 03/24/06

Browser? MCS-1 | 03/25/06

Using IE Fslot@... | 03/30/06

techrep@... | 03/23/06

true dawgit | 03/23/06

Or maybe not JeffDeWitt | 03/23/06

nothing new with this dawgit | 03/23/06

re:nothing new with this pattom | 03/23/06

ok that's new dawgit | 03/23/06

oops, sorry.. dawgit | 03/23/06

WGA ??!!! lbhall40@... | 03/23/06

key dirtylaundry | 03/23/06

George the good santulli@... | 03/23/06

Wow !!!! lovicott@... | 03/24/06

Validate your copy of Linux with.... nighthawk808 | 03/26/06

No real help from Microsoft UK mikejparks@... | 03/23/06

My thoughts Choppit | 03/23/06

Microsoft donated software jsmith@... | 03/23/06

Not Microsoft's Fault Gifford99@... | 03/23/06

Did you miss the part about nighthawk808 | 03/26/06

Windows XP authenticated philip1228@... | 03/23/06

Same here, but MS helped me fix it. ThumbsUp2 | 03/23/06

MS say 1x License philip1228@... | 03/23/06

They are watching you gescobedo@... | 03/24/06

incorrect sbrooks@... | 03/25/06

Not true deezone13@... | 03/30/06

null ustek@... | 03/23/06

Figures RNR1995@... | 03/23/06

...look at it this way.... wescrook | 03/23/06

null mark@... | 03/23/06

I agree with Mark deezone13@... | 03/30/06

But you are... mark@... | 03/23/06

because XP is on the drive! mikmak007@... | 03/23/06

not here in Europa dawgit | 03/23/06

OEM/VM Choppit | 05/05/06

License issue RNR1995@... | 03/23/06

MB Change MRA2 | 03/23/06

agree favor@... | 04/24/06

why is the validation inconsistent? dirtylaundry | 03/23/06

Validation. clockmendergb@... | 03/23/06

Microsoft made a promise they didn't keep keviep | 03/23/06

problem was.... dawgit | 03/23/06

Which Product key did you use mark@... | 03/23/06

Totaly Correct dawgit | 03/23/06

Fix the algorithm! brucelloyd@... | 03/23/06

No problems at this end service@... | 03/23/06

DIYr,s VS. OEMs, & M$ XP & YTBR VISTA pbrownlee@... | 03/23/06

validation bossel@... | 03/23/06

WGA still doesn't work!! pulsarnevel@... | 03/24/06

WGA thing sezalped@... | 04/28/06

The Microsoft Message to Corner Cutters donaldcoe@... | 03/23/06

What have you heard ? Tony Hopkinson | 03/23/06

But a retail copy mark@... | 03/23/06

Validate your copy of Windows XP SO.CAL Guy | 03/23/06

Image innovations | 03/23/06

50 Billion and Mr. Bill still crys "Piracy, ooooh...nooooo" srrattech@... | 03/24/06

You can't fix stupid Gifford99@... | 03/25/06

I agree Tony Hopkinson | 03/25/06

Validation is simple and workable on legit software Gifford99@... | 03/26/06

Aside from having to use IE Tony Hopkinson | 03/26/06

Must Buy philip1228@... | 03/26/06

That's the fun theory Tony Hopkinson | 03/27/06

a new catagory dawgit | 03/28/06

last purchase was a mad dash manouvre Tony Hopkinson | 03/28/06

You can't fix stupid SO.CAL Guy | 03/26/06

null somebozo | 03/27/06

And why on earth would you want to do that Tony Hopkinson | 03/27/06

RE: Validate your copy of Windows XP with Windows Genuine Advantage jalalsak@... | 09/06/08

RE: Validate your copy of Windows XP with Windows Genuine Advantage jalalsak@... | 09/06/08