Microsoft Genuine Advantage... DEFEATED

[Gurm]

So, just thought I'd share.

Let's say you run Windows XP. You may have noticed today that Windows Update now requires you to validate your license. And, some of you may not HAVE valid licenses. *cough*

There are partial workarounds involving JavaScript, but this one takes the cake.

In Internet Explorer (which you need to go to Windows Update anyway), go to:

Tools->Internet Options->Programs->Manage Add Ons

Scroll down to find "Windows Genuine Advantage" in the list. Select it.

Now, look below the list, and pick "disabled". Restart Internet Explorer, and Windows Update works again!

Wow, MS. I'm impressed this time. *sigh*

[Gurm]

And, for when MS inevitably closes this loophole, we have the cute little Javascript trick to bypass WGA entirely via MS Downloads, in IE Firefox and Opera!

http://www.extended64.com/blogs/rafael/archive/2005/07/27/1026.aspx

[Claymonkey]

didn't think you could run windows update in Firefox

[Gurm]

didn't think you could run windows update in Firefox

Of course not. That second link is a how-to for using "Microsoft Downloads" to get all the updates manually - which is what dedicated FireFoxians have to do ANYWAY.

[ZokesPro]

Of course not. That second link is a how-to for using "Microsoft Downloads" to get all the updates manually - which is what dedicated FireFoxians have to do ANYWAY.

Or don't do em at all like myself for example.

[Claymonkey]

eh, I'd call myself a dedicated firefox user but I do use IE for windows updates and accessing some activeX happy bank sites

[Brian Ellis]

eh, I'd call myself a dedicated firefox user but I do use IE for windows updates and accessing some activeX happy bank sites

Hee-hee! ActiveX is the greatest security issue in IE!!! Interesting that banks insist on it when the safest thing to do is to disable ActiveX in it. With ActiveX disabled, some of the key-follower trojans attached to web-site pop-ups cannot be installed. It looks like the banks WANT your details to be made known to all and sundry!

[lecter]

All you need to get past WGA is a 640-series PID serial number, a keygen for which can be found in many shady places...this allows WGA to be kept alive so that any software requiring it won't miss it

[Gurm]

All you need to get past WGA is a 640-series PID serial number, a keygen for which can be found in many shady places...this allows WGA to be kept alive so that any software requiring it won't miss it

Erm, incorrect.

I tested that theory myself. WGA now only authorizes VLK's that Microsoft has ACTUALLY ISSUED. It got smarter on the 26th. Go ahead, try it. I didn't believe it so I tested it myself with a dozen keys from PID's in the "right range".

Some claim that 640-5xxx to 640-6xxx is the right range. So i tried that too... nope.

Unless you luck into one that has actually been issued (not impossible, just unlikely) you're SOL.

[Gurm]

Hee-hee! ActiveX is the greatest security issue in IE!!! Interesting that banks insist on it when the safest thing to do is to disable ActiveX in it. With ActiveX disabled, some of the key-follower trojans attached to web-site pop-ups cannot be installed. It looks like the banks WANT your details to be made known to all and sundry!

I haven't found a bank that REQUIRES ActiveX lately. Fleet was bought by Bank of America, and both sites worked well with Opera/Firefox.

[lecter]

Hmm, you are right...it says that Automatic Updates will still work, though...wouldn't that be good enough?

[Nowhere]

This will give you only critical stuff.

[Gurm]

Automatic updates will give you all the security upates, nothing more.

[Jammrock]

This will give you only critical stuff.

Security and Critical updates will not be block. All other updates will. Even the IE7 B1 require WGA.

Jammrock

[Kurt]

Time for a 99$-cheap Xp upgrade?