How to Disable the Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications Screen

Windows XP implements a new validation system to ensure that your copy of Windows XP is "genuine." A system process checks if the operating system is a genuine version supplied by Microsoft. If the process figures out that your Windows XP system is not validated, not genuine, counterfeit, pirated, unlicensed, illegal, or unauthorized, you will be eternally nagged with notification messages begging you to validate your copy of Windows XP.

One of these notification messages reads:

This copy of Windows is not genuine and you have not yet resolved this issue. This computer is no longer eligible to receive select security upgrades from Microsoft. To protect your copy of Windows, you must click Get Genuinenow. And then there are two buttons, one to Resolve Laterand Get Genuine

Another notification reads: This copy of Windows is not genuine. You may be a victim of software counterfeiting

If you are being constantly nagged by Microsoft to validate your Windows license, you have the option of purchasing a genuine copy of Windows XP (yeah right!) or resolving the problem later. However, there is actually a way of disabling the message by editing your registry.

Before we get into learning how to disable the Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications screen, we must mention that it is morally and ethically important to validate your copy of Windows XP. Millions of Windows operating systems are being used in the world, but only a few thousand were actually purchased. People illegally copy Windows XP setup CDs or download the CD image using Limewire, or a BitTorrent client. Software piracy makes programs like Windows XP more expensive for the public. Well, with that brief rant, let's learn how you how to disable that annoying Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications screen.

How to disable the Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications screen

Step #1
*Access the Task Manager by hitting Ctrl + Alt + Delete on your keyboard. End the process wgatray.exe.

Step #2
Once you have done this, restart the computer in Safe Mode. You can initiate safe mode yourself by hitting the F5, F8, NUM Lock, or DEL key on your keyboard, depending on what type of BIOS you have.

Step #3
Once the computer starts in Safe Mode, go the file C:\Windows\System32 and delete the file wgatray.exe.

Step #4
Now go to the file C:\Windows\dllcache and delete the file wgatray.exe.

Step #5
Click Start and then Run. Type regedit in the text field. The Registry Editor should now be open.

Step #6
On the Registry Editor, navigate to the file HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE_\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\ CurrentVersion\Winlogon\Notify. In this registry key, delete the file, WgaLogon.

Step #7
Once you have done this, close the Registry Editor and restart the computer.

Step #8
You will be prompted to install the Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications screen again, but just un-select it.

You have finally rid yourself of that annoying notification screen!