The Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) validation check process does not complete when you try to validate your copy of Windows Vista, Windows XP, or Windows 2000 Professional

Article ID: 905226 - View products that this article applies to.
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SYMPTOMS

Consider the following scenario. You request a download from the Microsoft Download Center or from the Windows Update Web site. You are prompted to complete the Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) validation check process to validate your copy of Windows Vista, Windows XP, or Windows 2000 Professional. You click Yes, please validate Windows and take me to the download, and then you click Continue. However, the validation process is not completed. The screen does not change and no additional action occurs.
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CAUSE

This issue occurs if ActiveX Controls are prevented from running on the computer. Microsoft Internet Explorer may be configured to block ActiveX Controls from running on the computer.
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RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, use one of the following methods to enable ActiveX Controls in Internet Explorer.

Method 1

Important These steps may increase your security risk. These steps may also make your computer or your network more vulnerable to attack by malicious users or by malicious software such as viruses. We recommend the process that this article describes to enable programs to operate as they are designed to, or to implement specific program capabilities. Before you make these changes, we recommend that you evaluate the risks that are associated with implementing this process in your particular environment. If you choose to implement this process, take any appropriate additional steps to help protect your system. We recommend that you use this process only if you really require this process.
  1. Start Internet Explorer.
  2. On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
  3. In the Internet Options dialog box, click the Security tab, and then click Internet.
  4. Under Security level for this zone, click Custom Level.

    Note You may have configured settings other than those listed in this method to provide added security for the computer. If you have, restore these ActiveX settings to their original settings after you install the WGA ActiveX control.
  5. Under ActiveX controls and plug-ins, click Prompt for all the following options:
    • Download signed ActiveX controls
    • Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins
    • Script ActiveX controls marked safe for scripting
  6. Click OK, click Yes, and then click OK.
  7. Try again to validate your copy of Windows XP.
  8. When you are prompted to install the WGA ActiveX control, verify that the publisher is Microsoft Corporation, and then click Install.
After your copy of Windows XP is validated, you return to the download that you requested. Then, click Download.

Method 2

In Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2, notification of a required ActiveX Control download appears in the Information Bar. The Information Bar appears under the Internet Explorer toolbar. To install the WGA ActiveX control, follow these steps:
  1. Locate the Information Bar that displays a notification that the Web site is trying to run an ActiveX Control.
  2. Click the Information Bar, and then click Install ActiveX Control.
  3. In the Security Warning dialog box, verify that the publisher is Microsoft Corporation, and then click Install.
After the installation is complete, you return to the download that you requested.

Method 3

Important These steps may increase your security risk. These steps may also make your computer or your network more vulnerable to attack by malicious users or by malicious software such as viruses. We recommend the process that this article describes to enable programs to operate as they are designed to, or to implement specific program capabilities. Before you make these changes, we recommend that you evaluate the risks that are associated with implementing this process in your particular environment. If you choose to implement this process, take any appropriate additional steps to help protect your system. We recommend that you use this process only if you really require this process.
Some third-party programs help provide security measures that block ActiveX content. If you are running one or more of these applications, you must configure them to accept the WGA ActiveX control or to be temporarily disabled. After you make these configuration changes, you can install the WGA ActiveX control.

Important Disabling any security software may make the computer vulnerable to security risks. Before you disable or remove any security software, make sure that you know about the risks that are involved. Disabling the third-party application is a short-term solution that you can take to install the WGA ActiveX control. However, when you finish these steps, we strongly recommend that you re-enable the third-party application.
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REFERENCES

For more information about Windows Genuine Advantage, visit the following Web site:
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/downloads/whyValidate.aspx
(http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/downloads/whyValidate.aspx)
For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
892130
(http://support.microsoft.com/kb/892130/ )
Description of Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA)
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Properties

Article ID: 905226 - Last Review: January 9, 2007 - Revision: 2.7
APPLIES TO
  • Microsoft Windows Genuine Advantage
  • Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional Edition
  • Windows Vista Business
  • Windows Vista Enterprise
  • Windows Vista Home Premium
  • Windows Vista Home Basic
  • Windows Vista Ultimate
  • Windows Vista Starter
Keywords: 
kbtshoot kbprb KB905226
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