MS Anti-Piracy Tool Gets More Friendly

Microsoft has rolled out an update to its Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications component, which pops up a notice on the desktop informing users that their operating system is not legitimate. The revision introduces a wizard to improve the installation and validation experience.

WGA is a controversial part of Microsoft's new approach to battle counterfeiting and illegal copying of Windows. The first piece of this initiative, WGA Validation, was launched in July 2005. Microsoft later expanded the program with WGA Notifications.

Although the program is technically "opt-in," WGA is required when downloading software and updates from Microsoft. WGA has been generally well received, but reports surfaced earlier this year that WGA Notifications connects to Microsoft servers on a daily basis, sparking an outcry from privacy advocates.

With the final release of WGA Notifications at the end of June, Microsoft disabled this daily check, although the software does connect to the Redmond company every 90 to 120 days to check for updates. One such update was released yesterday, and adds four known compromised product keys to the validation check.

This means that users running versions of Windows XP installed with those product keys will be notified their operating system is counterfeit and be directed to purchase a new copy. Users who may have unknowingly purchased counterfeit software are eligible for a free genuine copy at no cost as long as they fill out a piracy report as well as provide proof of purchase and surrender the counterfeit CDs.

Microsoft is also hoping to give WGA a more friendly face with the update. A new wizard helps guide users through the installation process while providing more information on how the program works. In addition, customers will be give more details on their validation result, as well as resources to troubleshoot indeterminate results - which is a new category in addition to genuine and non-genuine.

Despite the implications behind Microsoft constantly checking up on a customer's computer, the company says over 60 percent of users who are prompted to install WGA do so. Still, that hasn't stopped two lawsuits stemming from WGA Notifications, alleging that the initial versions violated anti-spyware laws by "phoning home."

The new release of WGA Notifications will be available for download manually from Microsoft's Web site, and is being distributed through Automatic Updates as well.