Windows Genuine Advantage Notification (KB 905474)

This has been downloaded to my computer but hasn't installed even though I have my Windows Updates set to Automatic. The updates icon in my tray at the bottom will not go away so I guess it's waiting for me to manually install it, do I want to install this update? If not then how do I get rid of the update icon?

 

Hi, mccoady.

I have my Automatic Updates set to automatically notify me about updates but not automatically download them. The information in the next paragraph might not apply to you if you have a different configuration for Automatic Updates.

If I recall correctly, I think you can get the update icon in the System Tray to stop appearing for the KB905474 update if you click (or right-click?) on the icon to open a dialog window. Then UNcheck the KB905474 update. I think there is also a checkbox there for telling Windows to stop displaying the update icon for that update. My memory may be a bit fuzzy about this but I did something similar to what I described anyway and I haven't seen the update notification icon for KB905474 since then.

Opinions vary about the WGA Notifications application. I think some people do not like the WGA Notifications because it is supposedly an "irreversible" installation and I think it "phones home" to Microsoft.

A few months ago I removed the "non-removable" WGA Notifications from my computer by using a special utility (that is NOT endorsed by Microsoft) because I know I have a valid/genuine installation of Windows XP and I want to maintain control over the times my computer initiates outgoing connections, even if they're outgoing to Microsoft. I will not currently provide further details or links in this regard though because I don't want to violate any posting rules for Windows BBS (specifically rule #10 in this case).

As long as I can download security updates from Microsoft Update without WGA Notifications installed, I expect I will leave my Windows XP installation "WGA Notifications-free ".

If you want more information about WGA Notifications...

• Microsoft KB905474 Article: Description of the Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications application

EDIT: I think the recently released WGA Notifications application "phones home" less often than the version that is probably already installed in your computer.