Fix Windows Not Genuine (WGA Validation Error) on Genuine Windows XP Systems

Microsoft implemented WGA (Windows Not Genuine) program to distinguish illegal or pirated copies of Windows XP, discontinue free updates and display a notification in the right bottom area of the desktop to ask the user to buy a valid license copy of Windows XP OS. However, legitimate Windows XP may start to fail the Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) validation process by the WGA ActiveX validator.

This is caused by an incorrect or corrupted Data.dat file located in the %AllUsersProfile%\Application Data\Windows Genuine Advantage\data folder. It’s pretty easy to get vrid of this problem. All you have to do is delete the Data.dat file from the system and the Data.dat file will be updated correctly during the next validation.

WGA Validation Error on Genuine Windows XP Systems

• Log on to the computer with administration privileges
• Navigate to %AllUsersProfile%\Application Data\Windows Genuine Advantage\data folder and delete the Data.dat file
• Navigate to this link to confirm that your system has passed the WGA validation process
• Now click Start >> Run >> type wgatray.exe /b >> click OK
• If nothing happens, skip to the following step
• Reboot your system and you are done.

This should resolve the Windows Not Genuine (WGA Validation Error) on Genuine Windows XP systems. There are also many other ways to bypass WGA validation process.