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Microsoft Corp. says it's reconsidering how it updates a key piece of Windows plumbing after a newsletter reported that the company delivered fixes over the Internet silently -- not telling PC users even when they had set the operating system to be notified.
This comes soon after Microsoft also reported the "reduced Functionality" feature that was introduced on illegal copies of the new Vista operating system.
Microsoft's "Silent Windows Update"
Seeded on Fri Sep 14, 2007 11:33 AM EDT
Article Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer- Enjoy this article? Help vote it up the 'Vine.
- Public Discussion (7)
My concern ? I like to be able to control when or if updates happen as I have multiple programs that like to update themselves and at times if they all decide to update at the same time, that can cause problems as once I forgot and had several problems default to midnight updates and in the morning I was faced with that wonderful BSOD. The other concern is what if you are running multiple OS's ? I have thought of a multiple boot Windows XP/Vista and am not sure if I would always want all the updates right away. And if one was running a mixed Windows/Linux system without finding out if the updates work first ? Makes me a little nervous !
- 3 votes
#1 - Fri Sep 14, 2007 2:08 PM EDTI like to be able to control when or if updates happen as I have multiple programs that like to update themselves and at times if they all decide to update at the same time, that can cause problems as once I forgot and had several problems default to midnight updates and in the morning I was faced with that wonderful BSOD.
I like to control the updates, too.
- 2 votes
My concern is that by entering a network and property (a computer) without permission, they were trespassing and violating network security.
They may think they have some weaselly wording in their EULA that lets them do this, but it doesn't make them less guilty.
Once a convicted monopolist, always a criminal.
- 2 votes
#2 - Fri Sep 14, 2007 4:25 PM EDTDon't you have to enable your computer to receive updates automatically?
This is a legitimate question. I really don't know the answer...
- 2 votes
#3 - Sat Sep 15, 2007 12:30 PM EDTYes you do, but this new addition overrides that setting and makes it automatic
- 2 votes
#4 - Sat Sep 15, 2007 10:58 PM EDTDamn, I was hoping this was going to solve a problem with my new Gateway with Vista Home Premium. My sound keeps kicking out and the only fix is a complete reboot which is mighty cumbersome.
I have had automatic update for centuries. Microsoft has been able to do anything they want with my puter. This has never caused a problem that I know of or that mattered. (no sound?) It has also led to me being way ahead of others when it comes to the latest. Also, MS, a few years ago offered me Beta updates that put me way ahead of the crowd. I have been using MS since the DOS days and it has never failed me. My first MS software was installed in 1981.
- 2 votes
#5 - Fri Sep 28, 2007 4:35 AM EDTThere is a excellent web site, WindowsSecrets which I referenced two articles below about the updates which go a bit more into details about the silent updates. One of the things I did not know is on the XP updates, you cannot back out the updates which is the first time I have seen this.
I am like you oldfogey, I have always had Microsoft SW since day one starting with MS DOS 1.0 and had plenty of Beta software and always let Microsoft have pretty much full control of my PC and for the most part have not had any problems. I have always stuck with Compaq's or HP's and had some driver issues, but those were more in the Windows 98 first edition days. I am still using Windows XP Pro.
Microsoft updates Windows without users' consent, By Scott Dunn
http://windowssecrets.com/2007/09/13/01-Microsoft-updates-Windows-without-users-consent
Protect yourself from silent Windows updates, By Scott Dunn
http://windowssecrets.com/2007/09/20/02-Protect-yourself-from-silent-Windows-updates
- 1 vote
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