For those of you who might be experiencing problems with this , you may be pleased to know there is a workaround.

Method 1 -

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.

Method 2 -

In IE

Tools - Manage Add Ons - Add Ons that have been used by IE

Select 'Windows Genuine Advantage' and disable it

Good luck

whats this for then?

If you don't know you don't need it!!

Have you done a windows update lately?

At least it doesn't download automatically if the Express update option is selected. But will updates be available from now one without installing it first?

Have you done a windows update lately?

who said I was running windows?

SO what does it do then?

Microsoft have a little bit of software that checks if your version of windows is legit before allowing you any of the patches and upgrades. The tip above tricks their website into bypassing this check.

well my version of windows is legit! Does it also check if the cd has been used on various other computers?

Even if your version of Windowz is legit, if you chose not to authenticate online then it won't let you in. I would imagine then that it would prevent duplicate installs.

Microsoft have a little bit of software that checks if your version of windows is legit before allowing you any of the patches and upgrades. The tip above tricks their website into bypassing this check.

What windows software is this for? I have tried your method 2 but the "Windows Genuine Advantage" is not listed (not that I need it you understand, just curious).

XP for deffo but may also be others.

Have you been to windows update and installed the Advantage tool?

XP for deffo but may also be others.

Have you been to windows update and installed the Advantage tool?

I have XP Pro. Simple answer is I dunno if I installed Advantage tool - have installed the essential updates that MS advise me of - is that one of them or one of the options? I suppose if it does not show on the list I have not installed it, so no problem for me? Anyway my XP Pro is definately legit - came with laptop

What windows software is this for? I have tried your method 2 but the "Windows Genuine Advantage" is not listed (not that I need it you understand, just curious).

Go to Internet Explorer, Tools, Manage Add-ons...

Select

'Add-ons that have been used by Internet Explorer' (as VRStu said in his first post)

not

'Add-ons currently loaded in Internet Explorer'

Disable WGA if it's present.

You will only need to do this if your copy of XP isn't legit!

I have XP Pro. Simple answer is I dunno if I installed Advantage tool - have installed the essential updates that MS advise me of - is that one of them or one of the options? I suppose if it does not show on the list I have not installed it, so no problem for me? Anyway my XP Pro is definately legit - came with laptop

You will need to install it to recieve further updates. It will be the first update that the system offers you.

well my version of windows is legit! Does it also check if the cd has been used on various other computers?

I have my XP pro on my desktop and laptop, the Microsoft "Genuine Advantage" Tool worked on my PC. I then tried to update my laptop and it came up invalid key :eek: OK I know I shouldn't use the same copy so after searching the net found the ways around it except on here updated my laptop. So I assume it failed because I had it on my other PC to MS time to learn about linux me thinks. Apparently they will try and fix this loophole next time around :(