Windows 7: Windows Genuine Advantage

I believe earlier this year, there was talk about a Windows Update concerning Windows Genuine Advantage (I tried searching my old posts, but they don't go back that far). Anyway, at that time the update was "voluntary," meaning that you could remove it for the time being with no adverse effects to your system.

So, I uninstalled it.

So, yesterday, i boot my (main) pc and as soon as I log in, I get a "Windows is not genuine" message. I followed the instructions and downloaded a file to check validity -- and I passed validation (as did Office).

So, is that "voluntary" update now mandatory?
(Just curious as my "problem" is solved)

There was talk of Microsoft Security Essentials sneaking that back in. But if you don't have that installed, it could have been an update as well. Microsoft is always checking

Microsoft Security Essentials: Upgrade

Interesting. I wonder if MS included it in a security update along the way? I uninstalled it also just to see if I could and then installed it again.

I knew it would probably come back to hit me (uninstalling the update). It was a surprise, but I knew my copies of Windows 7 and Office are legit, so no fear here -- just an inconvenience.

Thanks for that read.

Did the program you downloaded to check validity reinstall WGA?

You know, I didn't actually check for sure -- I assumed it did.

On the desktop, I had a pop up informing me that Windows was not genuine. It had a button to click to solve the issue. As soon as I clicked the button, a pop up from MSE appeared informing me of the same thing -- Windows is not genuine. From the first pop up, it took me to a Microsoft site that stated up front that i would have to download a file to check validity. I downloaded the file, ran the .exe file and in about 10 seconds, I had confirmation that Windows was genuine.

In MSE, however, the pop up still stated that Windows was not genuine. There was a button to take me to the same Microsoft site and a link under the button for people who have already downloaded and have run the validity checker. I clicked the link, and a few seconds later, MSE reported that Windows was genuine.

Here is an old thread on the subject. There were actually several of them; but this is the only one I found.

Windows Activation Technologies Update for Windows 7

It is called WAT now instead of the old WGA.

i never downloaded it in the first place, and chose to hide it.

it's still in my list of hidden updates.

i'm an mse user too...so i guess it is still optional.

Maybe there's a method to Microsoft's madness...