KB971033: How to hide and uninstall Windows piracy check update?
Microsoft has just pushed Windows 7 piracy check update, which is also called Windows 7 Activation Technology Update by Microsoft, to Windows Update. It has been tagged as important by Microsoft so if you have set to install important updates automatically, it will be installed without any prompt. This post is about KB971033 update by Microsoft, it will tell you exactly what to look for, how to hide the KB971033 update and how to uninstall the KB971033 update, if it has already been installed. If you don’t want the update, change your settings and hide the update. Here’s what to look for:
For Windows 7 64-bit
Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB971033)
For Windows 7 32-bit
Update for Windows 7 for x86-based Systems (KB971033)
Description of the Update as it appears in Windows Update:
This update to Windows Activation Technologies detects activation exploits and tampering to key Windows system files. These exploits try to bypass regular Windows activation and are sometimes included with counterfeit copies of Windows.
There are some concerns about the said update, it is supposed to block 70 or so methods present for breaking Windows 7′s activation but it will also keep checking in on Windows even if it passes as Genuine the firs time.
How to Hide the KB971033 update?
1. Go to Windows Update by clicking Start, typing Windows Update and running it.
2. Right click on the update “Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB971033)” or “Update for Windows 7 for x86-based Systems (KB971033)” depending on the version of Windows 7 you are running.
3. Click Hide
How to uninstall the KB971033 update?
If you face a problem with the said update or you simply don’t want the way its going to keep checking your Windows, you can uninstall it by following these steps.
1. Go to “Programs and Features” either through Control Panel or by typing it in Start Menu.
2. Click “View installed updates”
3. Look for update KB971033, right click and click Uninstall. Restart might be necessary.
According to user reports, they are not able to uninstall the said update. I am looking into this and the post will be updated accordingly.
Links:
-Genuine Windows Blog entry about the said update
-Description of the update for Windows Activation Technologies/KB971033 information from Microsoft
No related posts.
After the KB971033 update i don’t see anything in“View installed updates”.
bob – are you sure the said update is installed? Check under Windows Update, it might still be there.
I have the same problem. Im 100% sure it is installed, but the KB971033 isnt in the list
this is horrible information the update isnt able to be uninstall-ed this way its not an update its a trap, think of it like a microsoft virus for thos who are less fortunate why [edited] cant they just leave thos of us who simply cant afford it alone were not hurting anyone its not like the ppl that get the cracked version are actually going to buy it or even have the option to buy it, they think this is saving ppls computers when all its doing is wrecking them and doing nothing to thos FEW who have payed for it has anyone read the paranoid bullshit that there trying to justify this update with? do they even realize anyone can offer anything on the internet and the ppl that put viruses in these copys of windows cant be stopped like this i mean ud have to be pretty [edited] stupid to not notice the difference between a bad download and a good one …or a noob
drake, yes it is unfortunate esp. for the genuine Windows users who are also caught up in all this but there’s nothing we can really do about this.
Just an update, I just recently became a victim of this important update from microsoft, and found that if you look for Windows 7 Installer 1.77 and find a good copy, it will remove issues resulting from the update. Remove the update first, then run the force activate, restart pc and tada, fixed.
The fact that Microsoft has given the option to turn off or un-select an update that is supposed to combat OS piracy tells me MS really does not care about those few who have the motivation (for what ever reason)to crack their Windows 7 OS…I suppose the only reason MS puts on a show of anti-piracy is to appease the OEM’s..If MS did not pretend to be concerned about OS piracy the OEM’s who give MS Billions of dollars every year would be kicking and screaming and wanting a huge discount..The overlords of Windows at the Redmond palace were once like those few who do crack and hack today and I’m sure those overlords smile at those who have the savy to crack their OS’s..I’ll go as far as to say that Mr. Gates himself tells his people to release an OS key 90 days form an OS’s Release just so he can watch from his Ivory tower as those who marvel at his creation try to exploit a way to get around the faux anti-piracy Schemes…Folks enjoy your cracked Windows 7 OS..Think of it as a gift from the Gods…MR.Gates thank you Sir..
The update KB971033 is showing in the update history, but it is not showing in the programs and features window in control panel. So i do not know how to uninstall it.
Any help would be appreaciated
That’s right, there’s no way to uninstall this THING :( this black background is just so depressing, but at least it’s working…
So you can hide the update before its been installed but you can’t delete it once its installed?? why would that do that? =( this makes me very sad, the pop ups are so annoying. I can’t find my update on the list or anywhere but I know its on here somewhere!
I just hunted down the update, and uninstalled it. Pretty easy to do. Make sure the KB971033 file is not hiding in a security update package like mine. Luckly It didn’t catch anything…
i just uninstalled this update in the way it was described above on a pirated copy of win7 64bits – all went smooth and after restart the not genuine nagging screen just dissapeared. Thanks for your info!
Great post, I learned a lot! Looking forward to checking back soon!
I can’t find it in the installed updates list so I can uninstall it, but I find it in the updates list. How do you uninstall it?? :(
If yuo want to get rid of update KB971033, just dowload remove WAT.
Worked for me…
On “View Installed Updates” you should look for: Update for Microsoft Windows(KB971033) and then click on uninstall. That’s how you will find it.
I am unable to uninstall KB971033 via Programs and Features in the Control Panel. I get an error stating: “An error has occured. Not all of the updates were succesfully uninstalled.” Anybody know how to uninstall this since I think I have been flagged.
If you find it on the “Updates History” but can’t uninstall it, hopefully it wasn’t too long ago.. If you didn’t clear recent restore points, restore the system to a time before the “Pirate Catcher” update was installed.
This method wipes out all “Cannot be removed” updates.