Windows 7: Genuine Advant & Malicious Removal

I'd be very interested to learn what others think about
Win.Malicious S/ware Removal Tool and
Genuine Advantage

For my recently aquired computer I have avoided
these two Updates.

The Removal tool isn't needed as there is adequate scanning and removal of
nasties (including Malwarebytes) along with clean surfing; and

With Gen Advan. i just feel (without real evidence) that it is interference and
so don't want it on my system. A reciept and correct Product Key (Licence)
are all the evidence I need to know it's a legitimate software.



What's yr attitude?

I doubt there's any harm in obtaining and running the malicious software removal tool, even if you have other software that does a similar job. It's just an additional tool to combat things - I ran it without any problems.

I install all malicious tool remove updates as it is always nice to have a second opinion.

As for WGA, well, if you want to download software from windows website then you have no choice but to install.

But what is your problem with WGA, as long as you are running genuine software with genuine license/COA then what are you worrying about, most software you purchase these days follow the same trend where they all phone home to say 'yes this software is genuine'.

With the way things are going, i reckon Windows will eventually make this a compulsory update for everyone.

Lucky

Luckystar makes some fairly good points. If you have a good store bought out of the box copy of Win 7 then what is there to worry about. Microsoft really only cares that you have a genuine copy. In all reality they probably could care less what you are running on your computer.

I think nithig is referring to the update kb890830 that was released a couple of days ago. Its description goes like this.

Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool x64 - September 2010 (KB890830)

Download size: 3.0 MB

You may need to restart your computer for this update to take effect.

Update type: Important

After the download, this tool runs one time to check your computer for infection by specific, prevalent malicious software (including Blaster, Sasser, and Mydoom) and helps remove any infection that is found. If an infection is found, the tool will display a status report the next time that you start your computer. A new version of the tool will be offered every month. If you want to manually run the tool on your computer, you can download a copy from the Microsoft Download Center, or you can run an online version from microsoft.com. This tool is not a replacement for an antivirus product. To help protect your computer, you should use an antivirus product.

Normally, the malicious software removal tool does not impact activation in any way, it is not related to WAT. But if somebody is running illegal windows, this tool could probably flag some component as "high risk". That is indeed very welcome and is the way it should be. Users of genuine windows have no reason to worry about this tool. A new version of this tool comes out practically every month.

Thanks for all the responses. Will try to answer questions raised:-

Is this true? I haven't d/loaded WGA but I'm getting updates ok and Mal.Tool. tries everyday to join the d/load list.

Firstly, the OS is genuine, came pre-loaded with this computer.
Seems from responses so far I might be in a minority but after many years of using MS software I have found the Corp. to lack generosity of spirit (yes they are a business but business can also be generous ... and have higher customer retention) and more importantly for me I have found MS to be very controlling. Perhaps this latter point arises because they are designing for 'everyman' which these days means 'dumbed-down' man. I notice that MS has been accused of anti-competetive behaviour in more than one country and this
fits with my view. A small instance: I used to use Frontpage for quick edits on my site. Now Frontpage doesn't exist - it's SharePointDesigner. Notice that with this one can only edit SharePoint pages ... viz it's not a general editor. So I use DreamWeaver and avoid SharePoint.

If MS were struggling it would be different but that Corp. has made the world's richest man and many millionaires (remember non Americans have a different view of these things) so why go all out to crush the odd bit of copied soft-ware ... didn't you share 'cassette music' when you were young? Did that ruin the music industry? So for me it's a question of relativity.

Still having read all yr views I probably will allow these two to d/load but deep down I know I'm moving towards Ubuntu. I've already removed Office and replaced it with OOo (very happy with that) .
Now I'll await the flak from my comments ...

Well ... downloaded WGA only to read a notice stating:
"WGA Notifications requires MS Win XP to instal".

Still am receiving updates so MS must check at some level or (so I learned above)
the computer wouldn't receive the notices of updates available.

Windows 7 doesnt use WGA, the technology is now called WAT.

Go to microsoft.com/genuine and click on the "Validate windows" link, that'll install WAT for you and tell you whether your windows is genuine.

BTW, WAT is also known as kb971033, so check whether that is installed on your computer.

Thanks Bill2 - yes that kb is in the downloaded list.
Curious then that the


(another day - didn't realise this had uploaded incomplete...these lap-tops
are so touchy! especially after the old desk keyboard that was
treated like a typewriter) ....

anyway it was curious that the Updates would have ever suggested
WGA for Win 7 with WAT already installed, yet it did!

I wonder if the malicious software tool ever actually gets rid of any malicious software before it kills the computer... a once a month update for malware, etc that in some cases takes a new form several times a week?