Autodesk Genuine Service - why?

[Simon_Weel]

After installing Navisworks 2020, I noticed a new kid on the block - Autodesk Genuine Service. According to this page,  it's meant to check for unauthorized software. Duh. It also states US only. But I'm not in the US, so why is this service installed?

[Mark.Lancaster]

@Simon_Weel 

Its part of all installations as far as I know.   However in the US, rules are different than overseas and thus this service has more of impact in the states.

[Simon_Weel]

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@Mark.Lancaster wrote:

Its part of all installations as far as I know.   However in the US, rules are different than overseas and thus this service has more of impact in the states.

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But why is it installed on machines outside the US? I mean, when I install an Autodesk product, I'm presented with the EULA for my country. So it isn't that difficult to find out in which country the software is installed. And as such, the installer should skip installation of this service when not-US. And to make things worse, it's rather difficult to un-install. In that respect, it pretty much resembles malware. I don't mind Autodesk fights software piracy, but they already use other methods to protect their intellectual property with, for example, the licence services. Adding another service simply means the initial method for license verification isn't sufficient. Custodian watching the custodian watching the custodian etc. won't solve the piracy problem. The biggest issue I have with this is; everybody is guilty until proven otherwise. Like having a cop watching over my shoulder all day long. Wonder how long it will take the US users to get rid of this thing, like they did with the dreaded hardware lock in the 'good-old' days...

[Mark.Lancaster]

@Simon_Weel 

Perhaps you want to propose an idea or change here https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/install-update-deployment-ideas/idb-p/6016

[Anonymous]

I can't uninstall this and I can't seem to get to any kind of support about how to get rid of this. I'm fairly sure in my country this would count as malware and be a criminal offence to distribute. Any idea how to get rid of this?

[Simon_Weel]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Any idea how to get rid of this?

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I haven't tried with the latest version of the Autodesk stuff, but with the older versions, the 'blunt axe' as it's called overhere would do the trick; just delete the folder containing the service. But it will be back as soon as you install updates.

As said, I haven't tried it with the latest 2021-software. I think it's one of those inevitable pieces of crap that comes with SaaS.....