[Phippl]

Windows XP Home is newly installed on my machine. I want to use Microsoft Update online to install it. However, Microsoft wants to install Windows Genuine Advantage first, and doesn't give me any option to not install it. Is there any way around this? I could just download SP3, and then install it, but I gather it might be a much bigger file than I would need.

[techie4fun]

You are trying to attempt something that I wish could be figured out by myself, too. Without doing any hacking - which can't be discussed in the forums- your only option is to install the (Genuine Advantage Annoyance) to receive updates from Microsoft unless you can find a NON Microsoft web page online.

[rtfire1]

if you want service packs and update you have to do it. if you have a legit copy it is not much other then your time that is being wasted.

[piyushsingh]

Phippl said:

Windows XP Home is newly installed on my machine. I want to use Microsoft Update online to install it. However, Microsoft wants to install Windows Genuine Advantage first, and doesn't give me any option to not install it. Is there any way around this? I could just download SP3, and then install it, but I gather it might be a much bigger file than I would need.

I really dont know why you dont want to install the WGA. Its a small thing and will let you get updates quickly in future. Unless you are using a non-genuine XP installation , you should not have any problems with it.


btw - you can download the standalone package for SP3 also , that is indeed a big file - approx 400 mb from the download center if you dont want to install WGA. But again WGA will haunt you in future also, so better get it now.

[lilxkid24]

Your forced to install it otherwise you cant get windows updates like ie7 windows media player etc etc.

[rgreen4]

Phippl - you most like have registered your copy of XP, and while many rail at the intrusion of WGA, in fact once it is installed you never know it's there. When you go to the site to download updates, the website check for the presence and then continues. You actually give them more data during the registration process than WGA gets.
As for downloading SP3 and manually installing it, yes during the download you get more of a file than may be needed, but after installation, you can remove the download file. However, I would recommend burning a CD with it as then if you have to reload XP, you don't have to re-download SP3.

[SpiritWind]

:D Hi :

Windows Genuine Advantage comes in 2 different "Parts" ; the 1st and desirable "Part" is

the "VALIDATION Tool", also known as KB 892130 . The 2nd is the undesirable

"NOTIFICATION Tool", which Microsoft tries to "sneak" onto people's computers

periodically, starting with KB 905474 and subsequent KB Numbers . Be vigilant to "avoid"

the 2nd, primarily by NOT using "Automatic Updates" and selecting another Setting, such

as being "Notified" of new Updates and READING the description of EACH "Offering" .

[Phippl]

OK. So I should use the Update to accept KP 892130, but not 905474 and others say starting with 905? Sounds good. Thanks.

[Phippl]

I guess hearing all the negative stuff about WGA in PC World has prejudiced me. I have nothing to hide from MS, but it's just the idea that MS distrusts me and doesn't mind making life harder for me so it can make more bucks. Like it's not making enough already. Pleeeeze!

So what I'm going to do is download the ISO file and burn it to disk (using Burnatonce, as recommended by PC World). Since I have 2 laptops that need updating this makes sense. Also I tend to hang on to computers and operating systems as long as possible, and MS don't know how much longer MS will make SP3 available for download. I'll check my hard drive size before and aafter the install to see just how much it takes up. Thanks for your help.

[SpiritWind]

:D Hi :



Several yrs ago when Microsoft received very bad "press" after the initial Release of

KB 905474, I heard that they made some minor "adjustments" and were trying to

re-Release "it" under a different "Name" and/or KB "Number" . Your Post caused me to

check out those "Rumors" and I could find nothing after a Google "Search" . So I now

assume the ONLY Microsoft "Update" you should DEFINITELY AVOID is KB 905474,

especially IF "it" is One of the Updates Microsoft "offers" to download onto your computer.

Any Other KB 905_ Updates should be ok .

[coastie65]

Hmmm, Strange thing about that SP3. I have the notification sitting here in my tray and it says the file size is 66.9 Mb - 316.4 Mb. Be nice if they knew what the file size was, after all they released the darn thing. coastie

[piyushsingh]

The size is around 60 mb if you install from the windows update. The standalone package is 342 mb . Maybe thats the reason. Not sure.
The standalone package is here - http://www.microsoft...&displaylang=en

[coastie65]

Well It's here. Just waiting for the go ahead. Even the big package wouldn't be much with my download speed ( 15 mbps ), but I'll drag my feet a while longer. I have to deal with a problem with my camera software. It suddenly is giving me an error message when I try to download pictures from my camera to the computer using the USB cable. I think a System restore will take care of it. If not, I'll just uninstall the software and then reinstall it. coastie

[piyushsingh]

it took me 3 hrs to download that thing. Anyway.

[coastie65]

I know the feeling. It took me 6 hrs. with dial up, to download SP2 for Windows XP Home on my other rig. I ended up getting a CD just in case. I was surprised that I didn't get dropped during the process.

[rgreen4]

Coastie - remember that SP3 has all the accumulated updates that have been released following SP2. If you have all of them installed, it's probably the 66.9MB figure, if it is just SP2 and nothing after that point it will probably be the full 316.4MB.

When it came time for me to upgrade my old SP1 installation to SP2, I followed the proceedure listed in PC World (where else?) to order it from Microsoft. I still have the CD as the original install disk for that machine is SP1.

However, I have not yet gone to SP3 even though I have downloaded it. All my Vista installations are SP1.

[piyushsingh]

What rgreen said makes sense. I had all updates after Sp2 when i did sp3 ,so it was approx. 60mb for me.

[coastie65]

I'm not really concerned as I have a pretty fast connection anyway. I have all my security updates to date. coastie

[Phippl]

This thread is not only about avoiding WGA, it's about installing SPs from Download vs. Update (which apparently requires that you install WGA, which, according to my log from the Updates website, I installed as WGA Validation Tool - KB892130). So here's what I did. I downloaded the ISO file for SP3. I then used Burnatonce (Reviewed by PC World) to create a CD. Then I downloaded SP2 exec file (the one for IT/Pros and network administrators - which I'm not). It took a bit more than 2 hrs each to download via DSL. After I installed SP2 and SP3 to an OS without previous SPs, my hard drive was 2.5 GB larger (total of 4.75 GB). That's a lot more than expected, but I should have taken my second disk size reading before i did a System Restore point. Also, I had installed a backup program and several needed MS updates. So,unfortunately, I'm not sure how much space the SPs took up, but I have a ball park figure on how much space is required to install XP Home and completely update it AND create a restore point (in fact, several Restore points may have been set before I took a reading).

[SpiritWind]

:D Hi :

From reading your Posts, it appears you are "skipping" 2 very important preliminary

"Steps" !? Anytime someone is considering UpGRADING their Operating System,

( 1 ) Very high quality security program(s) should be used to scan for malware, such

as trojans, worms, keyloggers, rootkits, etc ; this would NOT include Norton or McAfee .

Obviously One should be malware-free BEFORE Upgrading .

(2) Check for the latest software and driver updates from your computer's

Manufacture's Website .

P.S. You never did mention in your Original Post the SPECIFIC "Service Pack" of "Win XP

Home" , although your latest Post mentions "downloaded SP2 exec file" & "installed SP2

and SP3 to an OS without previous SPs", so I assume the computer in question NEVER

had SP1 installed ? I am unsure IF this is advisable !?