Since last month Windows XP users that use a copy with an invalid serial number are facing an annoying message on their system telling them that their Windows is using an invalid serial number and that they should buy an original copy: “This copy of Windows is not genuine. You may be a victim of software counterfeit”.

Microsoft has post a step-by-step tutorial on their website on how to remove this  “feature”, called Windows Genuine Advantage or WGA for short. It seems, however, that newer versions of the WGA component cannot be removed using Microsoft’s own tutorial.

We have found a small program (only 13 KB) that removes these messages: RemoveWGA. It works like a charm. It doesn’t, however, transform your invalid serial number into a valid one; it only disables that annoying message.

Originally at http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/blog/47

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