Make your Windows Genuine

HOW TO TROUBLESHOOT WGA ISSUES
[For more information about WGA, visit KB 892130 Description of Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA)]

SYMPTOMS
WGA failure with an error message

CAUSES:
1. Incorrect system date and time
2. Blocked ActiveX Controls
3. Corrupt ActiveX of WGA
4. Invalid or incorrect permissions in Registry
5. Appropriate permissions for the Windows Genuine Advantage\Data folder

If WGA fails validation, follow these steps:-

Step 1: To know exact cause of failure of WGA, run diagnostic from http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/diag

Step 1a: If PK generated by WGA tool is different than the one used for the computer, use PK change tool from link below and change PK:-

http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/selfhelp/PKUInstructions.aspx
Step 1b:

1. Run MGADiag.exe tool from http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=52012
2. When you are prompted, click Run to run the Microsoft Genuine Advantage Diagnostic Tool.
Note: Depending on your security settings, you might be prompted several times to confirm that you want to run the tool.
3. Click Continue.
4. On the Windows tab, click Resolve.
5. If that does not resolve, click Copy to Clipboard and ask the customer to send the MGADiag.exe information through e-mail.

Step 2: If ActiveX controls are getting blocked, then do the following:-
1. Internet Explorer Optimization
2. Disable any third party firewalls and pop up blockers
3. Check system Date and Time
Then try validation again from http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/downloads/whyValidate.aspx

Step 2: If some error message is generated, then follow instruction in KB 916247 to resolve the error message. If resolution is not found in the above KB article, then follow SOX050817700015; else search the VKB with the error message.

Step 3: For 0x80080212, follow KB 917050 - Error messages when you try to validate a Windows XP-based computer by using Windows Genuine Advantage: "Product Key Inaccessible" and "0x80080212"

Some important links for reference:-

1. KB 916247 - Windows Genuine Advantage does not validate a copy of Windows XP

2. SOX050817700015 - Windows Update : Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) - Validation check failure or Invalid product key or 0x80080204 in Windows XP

3. KB 917050 - Error messages when you try to validate a Windows XP-based computer by using Windows Genuine Advantage: "Product Key Inaccessible" and "0x80080212"

4. KB 926333 - Windows XP-based computers that were installed by using a Volume License product key might be marked as non-genuine

5. MGADIAG.exe Download Link - http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=52012

6. KB 906893 - You receive an "Invalid Product ID" error message when you try to validate Windows on a Windows Embedded for Point of Service-based or a Windows XP Embedded-based computer

7. KB 914225 - You cannot download Windows Genuine Advantage updates on a Windows XP-based computer that you purchased from an Original Equipment Manufacturer

8. KB 917499 - Error message when you try to install the Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) Validation Tool from the Windows Update Web site: "0x80070005"

9. KB 905226 - The Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) validation check process does not complete when you try to validate your copy of Windows XP or Windows 2000 Professional