Windows Authenticator

[Scott Chapin]

I don't know if it is appropriate to post this here, but I don't see another forum for this:

Last night a Windows update started to install an authentication program. This morning, I declined the installation. Tonight my computer would not boot. The installer loaded itself again and the screen started to flash on and off.

I quickly clicked on yes when it was flashing and it settled in and installed. MS malware to say the least and insultingly intrusive. There's no reason for them to tell me that my Windows is legal. I know it is.

Furthermore, I don't need another daemon hogging resources, especially when I am video editing. What are you folks doing with this?

Thanks,

[Paranova Films]

we have around 6 machines to edit video but just one with internet and it is not to edit (that's how owr boss are deccided) we use NORTON GHOST: very usefull app to restore a sytem quickly

[Scott Chapin]

Hi José,

Yes, that would be ideal, but I do like Internet access while I´m editing, and don´t have enough machines. If I ran Acronis or such, MS would just reinstall when it saw it missing.

[pjsssss]

Some of the evils of MS you just have to live with. Possibly you would get it less if you don't use IE

[Scott Chapin]

Maybe Pat, but wouldn't Windows updater work through any browser? You've got me thinking. I wonder whether I can uninstall it.

[swsw1550]

Yes you can, Go to uninstall programs and on the left you will see Microsoft updates ect, find it then uninstall it, once uninstalled you should checkfor updates again and when it shows up right click on it or depending on your operating system if you see a little + box drop it down then select hide this update, XP and Vista are both different for this feature.

Steve

[Paranova Films]

hmmm it doesn't happens to me Scott, did you try disabling windows automatic updates? btw: mine is XP64 bit and i have it off

[THoff]

Microsoft periodically updates the Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) component which checks if you have a counterfeit version of Windows.

Without an up-to-date WGA component, you won't be able to use Windows Update, but it does not affect your ability to boot the system or cause the screen to flash, nor does it prevent updates from being installed manually -- you simply won't be able to use the Windows Update site or in the case of Vista and Windows 7, the equivalent Control Panel applet.

[Scott Chapin]

I couldn't identify it in add/remove programs.

[swsw1550]

Thoff is correct, you won't be able to do a lot of updates ect from MS if you remove it.

Steve

[Scott Chapin]

I probably should disable updates, José, but then you lose out on the security updates, which I value.

[swsw1550]

it will be under View installed updates, it is there, but as I said you will have to check for updates again once you remove it and then disable this update, to tell you the truth I would leave it on,

Steve

[Scott Chapin]

Microsoft periodically updates the Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) component which checks if you have a counterfeit version of Windows.

So it's been their all along, but I just noticed it updating for my first time?

Without an up-to-date WGA component, you won't be able to use Windows Update, but it does not affect your ability to boot the system or cause the screen to flash, nor does it prevent updates from being installed manually -- you simply won't be able to use the Windows Update site or in the case of Vista and Windows 7, the equivalent Control Panel applet.

I wonder about the flashing, but since it froze right at the install window, I figured it was dormant during the prior shutdown and did not like the fact that I had opted to cancel it before the prior shutdown.

A reboot after the installation went fine.

[antonsvideo]

I don't know if it is appropriate to post this here, but I don't see another forum for this:

Last night a Windows update started to install an authentication program. This morning, I declined the installation. Tonight my computer would not boot. The installer loaded itself again and the screen started to flash on and off.

I quickly clicked on yes when it was flashing and it settled in and installed. MS malware to say the least and insultingly intrusive. There's no reason for them to tell me that my Windows is legal. I know it is.

Furthermore, I don't need another daemon hogging resources, especially when I am video editing. What are you folks doing with this?

Thanks,

turn off automatic updates

do it manually once per week and you will be fine

when doing it manually, always select custom or in vista, view the available updates before you click next

then you can untick the authentication program and tick not to show it again in the future

this will avoid unnecessary PC reboot requests after updating

and I say it again, don't use automatic updates

[swsw1550]

You got it Anton, best way to do it..

Steve