Feel like Microsoft is spying on you? Disable the Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) Check in Internet Explorer.

1. Open Internet Explorer.

2. Click Tools > Manage Add-ons..

3. Select “Add-ons that have been used by Internet Explorer” from the Show menu.

4. Locate the “Windows Genuine Advantage” Add-on and disable it. Click OK.

You will need this feature enabled for many functions on Microsoft’s web site. These steps were once a “fix” or a way around Microsoft checking your computer to see if your software was “valid”. However it no longer works in that manner.