Microsoft explained, how the system of the distribution of informations WGA works

28th June 2006

Corporation Microsoft refuted rumors about the fact that the anti-pirate mechanism Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications is used for the collection of certain information about the users of the operating systems Windows. Program Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) started during September 2004. Within the framework of this initiative Microsoft requires the confirmation of authenticity of copy of Windows with an attempt of the download by the users of associated software, for example,browser Internet Explorer browser or the application Windows media Player. Furthermore, near half a year back by means of mechanism WGA Notifications the corporation began to send information to the owners of the computers, on which was installed the illegal copy of Windows. One to many users began to note that module WGA Notifications periodically connects to Microsoft site and downloads certain data from the network. This provoked the wave of speculations on the theme that Microsoft spies on the users. As a result the corporation tried to explain situatuation. As it is noted, WGA Notifications actually periodically is connected to Web site Microsoft, however,it is done not for the transmission of the data about the users, but only, in order to verify, if the newer file of settings did appear. In this file it is indicated, how frequently it is necessary to to show notifications and if it should be displayed at all. Takeing into account the uneasiness of users, in Microsoft it was made the decision to change the periodicity of the checking the presence of new settings file. In the following version of WGA the mechanism of notifications delivery will perform the similar operation once a two weeks. Over the long term this function will be and completely disabled.