Microsoft Windows Genuine Advantage Check Cracked under 24 hours

Microsoft’s effort to refuse access to updated versions of Windows Operating System has been foiled by hackers within 24 hours.

Microsoft demanded that those who wanted Windows updates, other than security updates, will have to download an Active X program that sniffed their operating system to see if their OS copy had been pirated.

When a Windows operating system user starts to download updates, the new program, called Windows Genuine Advantage, will scan the machine to see if it’s running an authentic version of Windows.

If the program detects a counterfeit copy, it will offer two options:

• Customers who fill out a piracy report, provide proof of purchase and send in the counterfeit CDs will get a free copy of Windows Home Edition, which retails for $199, or Windows Professional, which sells for $299.
• Those who simply submit a piracy report - providing details of when, where and from whom the operating system was purchased and send in the counterfeit copy will get either version of Windows at half price.

Source: Microsoft Clamps Down on Windows Piracy

It took about 24 hours for hackers to come up with a solution involving IE script.

Before pressing ‘Custom’ or ‘Express’ buttons paste this text to the address bar and press enter:
javascript:void(window.g_sDisableWGACheck=’all’)
It turns off the trigger for the key check.

Source: BoingBoing

TechnoMyst has a simpler solution:

All you have to do is, in Internet Explorer, go to Tools…Internet Options…Programs…Manage Add-ons… and then click on Windows Genuine Advantage and disable it. Then Windows Update works just like before.