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Technical News & Discussion => Windows News & Discussion => Topic started by: Noreen on Jan 14, 2008, 13:40:22

Title: wgatray.exe
Post by: Noreen on Jan 14, 2008, 13:40:22
My Comodo firewall pops up a notice about this every time that I start the computer, started happening since the latest MS Security Updates (I think). I've tried searching on the Comodo forum, some people allow it and some remove the program itself. From what people say it doesn't appear to be harmful just irritating that MS needs to check that you have genuine Windows every time that you start your computer. Anyone else  getting this or do you just allow it? 

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Title: Re: wgatray.exe
Post by: Ted on Jan 14, 2008, 14:06:10
Hi Noreen
You could try the info Here (http://www.floodle.net/extra/ebayinfo/windows_genuine_advantage.html)
Title: Re: wgatray.exe
Post by: Inactive on Jan 14, 2008, 14:09:18
Thanks xild, I have been getting the same message in Comodo, thanks to Noreen for posting this.
Title: Re: wgatray.exe
Post by: Noreen on Jan 14, 2008, 14:15:55
Thanks xild, some of those methods were mentioned on the Comodo forum. I'm slightly uneasy about removing it, isn't it necessary for the monthly MS Security Updates and wouldn't it just get reinstalled each month?
Title: Re: wgatray.exe
Post by: Ted on Jan 14, 2008, 14:25:15
You can always reactivate it if there's a problem ;D Don't think there would be.

Don't MS check your validity before you can download updates anyway?

I think this wgatray business is like a nag screen for people who have pirate copies and try to download updates.
Title: Re: wgatray.exe
Post by: cavillas on Jan 14, 2008, 14:44:58
Never had wgatray thing and I have had xp pro installed since it's inception.  Mind you this is a legitimate corporation install and I have the licences for 10 installs, also xp home.  Perhaps that is why I don't have this thingie.
Title: Re: wgatray.exe
Post by: Inactive on Jan 14, 2008, 14:47:10
Well my copy of XP Home is genuine, and I still get it, but it only shows up via Comodo.
Title: Re: wgatray.exe
Post by: Rik on Jan 14, 2008, 14:51:21
I'd tend to allow it myself, it's a genuine app.
Title: Re: wgatray.exe
Post by: Noreen on Jan 14, 2008, 14:58:18
As I said, I didn't have it previously. I think that the easiest way is to allow it, irritating though as seems unnecessary once my installed Windows version has been validated.
Title: Re: wgatray.exe
Post by: Rik on Jan 14, 2008, 15:01:02
MS seem to like to think of new ways to validate at intervals. I suspect it's measure and counter-measure in the piracy war at work. :(
Title: Re: wgatray.exe
Post by: Ted on Jan 14, 2008, 15:55:06
its installed through windows updates. If you do auto updates you probably won't even know its happened.
Title: Re: wgatray.exe
Post by: cavillas on Jan 14, 2008, 17:11:12
I always check what updates are being installed and either allow or not as the case may be.  Not all MS updates are necessarily good for all machines.
Title: Re: wgatray.exe
Post by: Inactive on Jan 14, 2008, 23:22:30
Quote from: cavillas on Jan 14, 2008, 17:11:12
I always check what updates are being installed and either allow or not as the case may be.  Not all MS updates are necessarily good for all machines.

Indeed Alf, so do I, I just wish I could stop MS trying to dump IE7 on my computer, I don't like, I don't want it.
Title: Re: wgatray.exe
Post by: Noreen on Jan 14, 2008, 23:32:35
I installed IE7, didn't like it and removed it. I can't remember the exact process but when downloading Custom Security Updates you can specify that you are not asked about a particular item in future. I did that with IE7 and I haven't been bothered with it since. 
Title: Re: wgatray.exe
Post by: Inactive on Jan 14, 2008, 23:39:33
Thanks Noreen, I am sure you are right, I obviously missed something, I now have a permanent yellow nag shield on my Taskbar.  grrrrrrr.
Title: Re: wgatray.exe
Post by: Rik on Jan 14, 2008, 23:40:15
Turn off the shield, In. I did. :)
Title: Re: wgatray.exe
Post by: Inactive on Jan 14, 2008, 23:43:26
Quote from: Rik on Jan 14, 2008, 23:40:15
Turn off the shield, In. I did. :)

If I knew how, I would..  ;D ;D
Title: Re: wgatray.exe
Post by: Rik on Jan 14, 2008, 23:48:09
Control Panel > Security Centre > Change the way the Security Centre alerts me (on the left) > Uncheck 'automatic updates'.
Title: Re: wgatray.exe
Post by: Inactive on Jan 14, 2008, 23:51:54
That dit it Rik, it changed the yellow nag shield for a nice shiny new red one..  ;D ;D
Title: Re: wgatray.exe
Post by: Noreen on Jan 14, 2008, 23:53:07
Inactive, I've just checked at the Windows Update site and this is the message that I get, it's referring to IE7.

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Title: Re: wgatray.exe
Post by: Rik on Jan 14, 2008, 23:55:36
Quote from: Inactive on Jan 14, 2008, 23:51:54
That dit it Rik, it changed the yellow nag shield for a nice shiny new red one..  ;D ;D

It should have got rid of it altogether, In. Do you have automatic updates on? If so, turn them off and just do the monthly 'run'.

The message Noreen is illustrating is what happens when you do a manual custom update and tell Windows to hide the IE7 update.
Title: Re: wgatray.exe
Post by: Inactive on Jan 15, 2008, 00:01:06
Thanks Noreen.

Rik that is what I just did, switched off Auto Updates, then the yellow changed to red.

It may go away when I reboot, hopefully.
Title: Re: wgatray.exe
Post by: Rik on Jan 15, 2008, 00:02:09
It certainly got rid of it for me, so toes crossed. :)
Title: Re: wgatray.exe
Post by: cavillas on Jan 15, 2008, 09:22:01
I like IE7. I wonder why? ;D
Title: Re: wgatray.exe
Post by: Noreen on Jan 15, 2008, 10:54:13
There is a very interesting article here re Wgatray.exe. It starts about a quarter of the way down. http://windowssecrets.com/comp/060615/#story1
Title: Re: wgatray.exe
Post by: Rik on Jan 15, 2008, 11:04:10
A good read, thanks, Noreen. :)
Title: Re: wgatray.exe
Post by: Noreen on Jan 15, 2008, 11:20:14
After reading that article and others I decided to make the Comodo firewall block the notification, I can easily change that if necessary. However I've since read this on another forum.........

"If you use ZA to block WGATRAY.EXE it will just go through the Generic host process for Win32 Services and if not there it will use Application Layer gateway service and so on and so on until it finds a way to send the info."

I don't mind the occasional validation process, it's the phoning home with other info every time I boot my computer that gets up my nose. >:(




Title: Re: wgatray.exe
Post by: Rik on Jan 15, 2008, 11:31:11
Time for a Mac, Noreen? :)
Title: Re: wgatray.exe
Post by: Noreen on Jan 15, 2008, 11:42:24
I've certainly thought about it, Rik. Especially as the Mac has an extremely good genealogical program and of course it's graphics capabilities. However I'm holding on to my present laptop for now. I suppose that like most people I'll just have to live with Wgatray.exe and get worked up about something more important. ;D

Title: Re: wgatray.exe
Post by: Rik on Jan 15, 2008, 11:46:56
I must admit that I tend to be less worried by what information MS may be collecting that that which Google does, or the Govt for that matter.
Title: Re: wgatray.exe
Post by: Ann on Jan 15, 2008, 18:02:14
Quote from: Inactive on Jan 15, 2008, 00:01:06
Rik that is what I just did, switched off Auto Updates, then the yellow changed to red.

I just turned on computer and for the first time had the red shield.  I clicked on it to open the thing up and it said that my antivirus was out of date.. it isn't.. so hitting the button there.. I've forgotten what it said now.. suggestions or something, and it gave me the option for it to stop monitoring the antivirus, hit that and now the red shield has gone.  You might try that and see if it's that or one of the other things it monitors that it's bleating about.
Title: Re: wgatray.exe
Post by: Rik on Jan 15, 2008, 18:13:40
Hey Ann, you've turned 500.  :)  :congrats: :karmic:
Title: Re: wgatray.exe
Post by: Ann on Jan 15, 2008, 20:04:15
 :ty: