Microsoft installs surprise windows updates
SOFTWARE GIANT Microsoft has been installing updates against the wishes of users who have set up their computers to stop them deploying patches without permission.
According to Windows Secrets' Brian Livingston, users who have set options in Windows Update, the operating system's default update service, to require their okay before installing patches have watched in horror as updates have been installed automatically despite their wishes.
Windows has not been telling users that they have updates but has installed them at shutdown or reboot.
Calling the problem a "bug" rather than something done deliberately by Microsoft, Livingston has been unable to reproduce it. It reportedly has affected Windows XP and Vista users.
Livingston thinks that the surprise installs were due a problem with Microsoft's server capacity, which in turn may have resulted in some downloads failing before they were finished.
This would have been a big problem last month as the Vole delivered a huge number of updates at once.
Microsoft has denied that the problem is a bug and said everything is working fine. So there! µ
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I'd certainly noticed this of late. It's supposed to ask me before applying updates, but a number had gone ahead without permission, making the PC run like a dog (it's generally pretty decent thanks to a good lean re-install) for some time with no indication (not even a tray icon) beyond the task manager of what was happening. Just glad it *did* ask about IE8, which for various reasons I don't want yet.
Not on mine it didn't I have XP SP3 and I disabled the service process and Background intel transfer till the 2nd tuesday of every month whne MS do release patches (most of the time).
It's pointless having it running all the time and even on my AMD quad with 4GB DDR2 it can slow the system because of that annoying thing always scanning for stuff.
people should stop & disable both windows update and bits services...
even if you have ~Never check for Updates~ turned on? Does anyone know which updates M$ are sending, and can they (if they prove to be malignant WG(Diss)A Spyware tools remove them?
So, the bigger question is not "Did they do it purposely"... They did... but the real question is for what reason ? Let us explore some of the most critical Kernel hacks that have been implemented for IP tunneling used by the NSA. Yes, remember when they were threatening to break Microsoft into a bunch of little pieces ? One of my black hat buddies told me that this was a ploy for the NSA to gain a footing to clandestinely tunnel into your computer without you knowing about it. The other problem is security of said kernel hacks such as these. Imagine that the ultra sharp guys used a unique piece of microcode that exists in AMD and Intel Proc's. Imagine if you or I became privy to said microcode ? Well someone let the cat out of the bag and the encrypted tunnel could become grand central station to hackers.
So what do you do when you find a breach of security the likes of which could expose your whole sneaking around thing ? You fix it of course... What ? You haven't heard about the patches that install without your knowing about it... Don't worry it was just a bug fix so the Fascists hackers won't be able to do what the NSA does to you.
I for one a reaching for the K-Y because I know when I about to get ___ you know... (Grins)
Set auto updates and bits to disabled start and create a couple of batch files to do everything manually.
These work (have been used) on windows XP and windows 2003. :-)
START WINDOWS UPDATE SERVICES & DO UPDATE
----------------------
@echo off
sc config wuauserv start= auto
sc config BITS start= auto
sc start BITS
sc start wuauserv
start %SystemRoot%\system32\wupdmgr.exe
----------------------
STOP WINDOWS UPDATE SERVICES
----------------------
@echo off
sc config wuauserv start= disabled
sc config BITS start= disabled
sc stop BITS
sc stop wuauserv
pause
----------------------
iv'e been struggling with microsofts INSISTANCE that i upgrade my internet explorer to version 8. its crap. i tried it, didnt like it, it tries to send me places i dont want - obviously anyone who dosnt work for microsoft is an idiot that needs plug and play software - i unloaded it and reloaded the previous version. sadly thats not it, oh no, now i really MUST have it, windows insists every time i log on. its like a tramp begging at the same spot everyday in the vain hope onetime you will relent.. its relentless. no wonder people throw heaps of viruses at microsoft.. im getting REALLY fed up with their bloody minded attitude. someone needs to remind them that the P in P.C stands for 'personal' and not 'Pricks from redmond'
Don't want IE8 and would rather stay with IE7 on your system, hide the IE8 update in Windows update and also turn off updates in IE7 for crying out loud.
I thought that would be easy, guess not. Looks like you need a hand to hold while making those hard difficult choices Rick.
I suggest you move along this way to Macland All is taken care for you no need to think, OS X knows best and what to install.
Jawad Khaki, who has helped lead Microsoft Windows development since the days of Windows 95, plans to leave the company at the end of the month, Microsoft confirmed Thursday.
KhakiHe will be leaving his position of corporate vice president of the Windows Hardware Ecosystem Group to start a new phase of his life.
Ahso, long time ago, BOTS critized my including my name in post. so Stated: test post by search pick up. well, same result both tests. If you put your name in posted by, you get NO search engine credit. So for Last few winks going to include vondrashek , as see frank of IbM still using our condensed Formal name, may WIN FULL condensed FRANK out of IT.
Well Kahki was 95 thru Vista, specializing in Modem exchange into software.Kaks' 51, has NO further plans. ClueLess In Seatlle.Hahaha
you have to be stupid to turn of auto update for most ppl... i dont think there should be the option to not download updates... its just a HUGE risk for any XP user and to a lesser extent Vista and Win 7
More like dumb arse AFK. Most of us aren't stupid like you. We know to update every so often and to run our AV's and Anti-spybot programs every once an awhile.
For the average user? Sure. For those of us who are actually using our brain?
Turn it off.
Is there a non-Microsoft background freeware app that users can install to block Windows access to the update server? Something that can run in the super-minimized section and can be turned on and off with a click.
Is maybe the reason I still have XP SP1.
Reach under hood; pull out wires.
(Hack into registry until stupid blinking lights stop.)
Of course now I have to hack my own security patches; worth it though.
I am surprised!
Did you not realize that, indeed, things are working exactly correctly. By microsoft's definitions, all that it wants done, is being done.
Feature's that seemingly do things users may not want (like the enhancements to Firefox) are only to allow Microsoft's competitive edge to be hone...
"Tis why I dumped Redmond's enhancements for Linux. At least now, when some bug attacks, I know a whole world of help will fix it quickly...
Not some corporate decision made eventually, if ever... (how many enhancements are over a year, unatteneded or fixed?)