[PCWorld]

Post your comments for Is Windows Installing Updates Without Permission? here

[Pokester]

Message was edited by: Pokester

[johnnypcuser]

Oh noes Microsoft is trying to keep my computer safe!

Pro tip: Ctrl-S saves your documents.

Go buy a Mac.

[izzledizzle]

if you don't keep your PC up-to-date with security updates, then you are in idiot. Why would you not want it to be as up-to-date as possible? It's not like it installs a toolbar or some sort of malware when its done, its a fricken security update that you would never know it installed to begin with.
God forbid MS tries to keep its customers PC's as safe against viruses as possible, if you try to prevent that, then you have no right to complain about MS products getting viruses or malware

[Pokester]

Why would you insult me?
I've learned that 'updates' often break things so I set them to download, but to allow me to review before installing.





Message was edited by: Pokester (correct line breaks & grammar).

[mthoma11]

On the set of June 9th Updates, there was one for my Video Driver!! Bad News, it left me Blind, with no Video output what so ever. And it took me about two days to correct the Problem. Thank goodness I have a 2nd Computer to look up the Work around I needed to be able to go back, and be able to get a default video Driver to be able to see where I was on the system that went down.

I have now set my updates to not run by themselves, but after reading this, I'm wondering again about Microsoft, as they had this problem, was it not when Vista first came out also.

And I tried to get Tech Support from Microsoft, and at first they told me not to go to there site but try many other Sites???? But after I had written about 2 or 3 more messages to them, they finely offered to help at not charge, since it was caused by there updates, from June 9th.

Just do not let MS roll over you, stand up for yourself and the problem's that they cause!!! Yes it takes time, to get them to understand that it was MS that caused the problem, as we have to write, or Call and let them know they did this to us.

[glnhp]

Apparently, izzledizzle has never seen a desktop or server go south immediately after installing MS security updates, and has also missed the re-releases three days later when Microsoft realized they did not properly perform regression testing. Idiots? I think not. Personally, I wait a couple of days to see if there has been any fallout before applying any MS "critical" updates. If people observe all other safe computing practices, waiting three or four days to install security updates should not make a difference.

[izzledizzle]

i didn't realize the updates were removing programs and causing computers to crash, sorry about that!

[platimunoregon]

I received a "sneak" download a couple weeks ago and I think it is the cause of all the problems I am having with Photoshop Album (out of memory) and my Google toolbar (corrupt file), as well as several other items relating to Windows XP (I will try to copy these down when I get them again and send them in to PCW).
I, too, thought I was protected from MSN downloads( I will not down load anything less than 6 months old from them), but, somehow, they got around Foxfire and did me a number.
I can't defrag because chkdsk is scheduled to run; and chkdsk says it can't open the disk files because they are NTSF(I think).
I just ran a RESTORE about a month ago and I hate to spend my time again, but if someone can tell how to get around these problems, I would certainly appreciate it.
Platinumoregon

[Pokester]

.
Message was edited by: Pokester

[TechieXP]

@Pokeester...Scandisk? What's that. (pickin' on u)Scandisk is a 9x ultility.

Anyway @ Plat.
You can't run Checkdisk (chkdsk) while Windows is loaded...Chkdsk is an old DOS command and can only run when Windows shell isn't loaded.

Here is what you can do. First fo to My Computer and right click on the C: and choose properties. Go to the Tools tab and click the Check Now icon. Click the top option only on the next box that pops up.Then click ok. You should then receive a mesaage saying you can't run this now and if you want it to run at next boot up...just click Yes. At this point you can do a manual reboot. After a few moments teh checkdisk routine will run before Windows loaded backs up. If checkdsk files lots of errors it will attempt to fix them and will force the system to reboot again. Tho this is rare.

If it doesn't work? Then you have some serious problems and would be to detailed to explain here.

Back to topic.
I haven't had an instance where Windows installed updates on its own. However I am aware of the following things. If you install programs like the following...Windows Live Onecare, Norton Internet Security and McAfee Security Suite...or any program similar to those that come as a Suite package where anti-virus, firewall, malware.spyware is a complete package...be aware that even if you set Windows to download and install updates only with your permission...Security Suites will override that option. Why? Bec those program install a Security UI that is similar to the one XP/Vista comes with. One of its options checks to see if you have Windows Automatic updates set too MSFT Recommended setting...which is teh Automatic setting. Many people are not aware of this, so I a helping you be aware.

When you install Norton or McAfee teh program asks you if you want to replace Windows Firewall and Security setting with the ones built in Norton...if you say yes...Norton/McAfee uses it defaults setting which again override your Windows settings..and that isn't a MSFT fault...thats ur fault for not reading the alart carefully before saying yes. That is the problem basically with MOST Windows users...they never read those screens they simply except the recommended setting and just click next next...no matter how MSFT makes it easy or developers make it easy to install software and read what they are doing...ppl never do. First thing they want to do is blame MSFT.

This issue mention could be the fault of them on some level...but software has issue and you have to expect it to not work as it should sometimes. How many time have you went outside and your car didn't start...or had a flat...technology breaks...I have never known anything to ever break at the right time...

[TechieXP]

In respose to other comments.Here are other things to be aware of. When shutting down, if Windows has downloaded updates and they are waiting...the shutdown icon will appear different. In both Vista and XP there is a Windows Security Shield on the shutdown button. In XP when you choose shtdown a bot will appear offering you 3 choices..one will install updates before sutting down. If you have docs opened and you meant to press logoff and you instead chose the other option..ur out of luck. Once shutdown begans you can't stop. Any insave data will be lost.


I also work as a IT Tech Support/Help Desk...On pour users PC's I turned off automatic updates even on our servers. We manually test updating on a spare bix I built to match teh setting of our main server. I've not had a update kill a serverm but I have had to fix other companys when there's broke. I too tell them to set the server not to update automatically. For home users? I'd never recommend using anything but the deafult. Why? Bec if they change it to not do anything..they will never be conscious of updating. Since I manually run Windows Update 2 times a week....I don't need to be set at automatic updates.

It is great MSFT added crash support to IE so whatever browser windows you had open..the next time you open IE it will load them all for you.

MSFT Office has the ability to save docs over time while u are working...if ur computer happens to restart while one is open...you can pick up at the last save point. Yes it will suck if the last save point if further back in ur work.

I don't use Security Suites for several reasons..other than I know I don't visit sites that contain porn or questiionable content. I use internet for work mostly...or research..so I only visit sites that I know I can trust. For everyone else? Use recommended setting. Better safe than sorry.

I have yet to see a company have a perfect update process...that include Apple...:-)

[poponcape]

I have discovered on numerous occasions (most recently just now) that although I have the 'download but let me decide when to install updates' option checked, XP decides ON ITS OWN, every so often, to reset the option to full automatic without any notification.
More than once I've lost work when I fail to see the annoying popup window appears telling me to 'install updates now or remind me later' because I've had to leave the computer to attend to other business. I finally installed a shortcut to the update options on the desktop to remind me to make sure my choice hasn't been foiled yet again.

[JakeB]

@TechieXP
Only by being vague can you equate Apple's software update process for OS X with Microsoft.
In System Preferences in OS X Leopard a user can easily and clearly set software update either to allow the user to check manually OR for the system to check at a specified frequency (either daily, weekly, or monthly).
However, EVEN if you elect to allow updates to be downloaded automatically, as the panel clearly spells out: "You will be notified when the updates are ready to be installed."
There are NO instances of Apple automatically INSTALLING software updates without the user being asked first.
Clear. Simple. Unobtrusive. According to this article and reader comments, Microsoft's process is not always so smooth.

[quark]

Yes, this is very annoying. Only yesterday a huge download came from Microsoft. The yellow badge appeared and went from 0 to 100% over about 20 minutes, and was installed without my permission, although I have set my XP PC NOT to install without my permission. Now I have absolutely no idea what was installed. This is a sort of spyware tactic.

[GOED]

I don't know what some people have in their computers. I too have WU to notify me when updates are available.

I use Vista and never had a problem were the downloads stopped. Sure I had an update to my video card too, and nothing happenned. One of the updates required a reboot, but I was given the choice to reboot now or later. I always choose now and I am back in business. My laptop is 4 years old, with a single 2gz cpu, I can only wonder how you people take care of your computers.

I am not insulting anybody, I just wonder what is it that causes you so many headaches, when in fact I have non cause by updates. However I will point out that in my testing of other applications, they have defenetely cause problems. So maybe you have something on your computers that keep the changes from the updates to be PROCESS INCORRECTLY. We know many Antivirus causes some type of problems here and there. I use AVAST, I recomended 100 percent.

I UNDERSTAND THIS IS NOT ABOUT ANTIVIRUS, I AM JUST SAYING TO LOOK AT YOUR SYSTEM and carefully determine if an application may be causing problems for Windows Updates or Windows in General.

Many will say that the operating system shouldn't be disable or recked by another application, but it is a fact of life that many applications don't get coded properly causing problems when they change Windows Dll's or other Windows files.

Geo

[poponcape]

In response to quark: Open your Control Panel and click on Add or Remove Programs. Scrolling down to the MS updates you can check by date as to your new additions.

[Pokester]

I'm happy for you that your systems have been unaffected by this glitch... YAY YOU!
I know the problem exists.... I've seen it myself... and it's left me with a dead laptop 1,000 miles away from home more than once.



Message was edited by: smax013, Pokester

[quackadilly]

No need to get sarcastic now...... You're no better than any of us here....
You might have your MCSE cert.

You might have your A cert.

You might be a "well-respected, top-tier PC tech"

Name brand systems? There's one of your problems. Did you do a clean install of the OS?
-----
My point is that it's something you're doing. If other people can get their machines to work properly, you can too. There's no need to come in here touting your leet skillz and your salary. That means absolutely nothing. The fact they your systems are failing might say something......
I have my XP Pro set to download when I say. I have never had an issue since 2001. And I do load a ton of programs on my machines. Games, freeware, shareware, everything. I do a lot of things that could possibly compromise my system. Yet, I never have major issues. Sure I'll have the few minor issues that can be fixed with a recovery or a repair install.....but it never "breaks".....



Double and triple check your computer before you start saying that everyone is wrong and you are right. If there was truly an intentional MS-caused issue, we would know about it.

[TechieXP]

Yes I certainly don't want to comapre Apple updating to MSFT. Apple barely updates. They let crap pile up for months and then release updates when they feel liek it. And those updates have been know to break things. In fact based on many reading...the updating in some respects is more riskier.

As far as MSFT updates? At least they stay on top...they have too. When billions are depending on you, you can't afford teh luxury Apple has to just sit on problems.

However, as far as this automatic stiff? It has not happene to everyone..and it is based on some strong variables. In most cases it was other softwares designed to change this setting. However it doens't happen by accident...the question is asked during softwrae install. People simply don't read. To this day I have never had y system simply install and update without me wanting it. I set my to download and install when I ask it too. It has always worked that way until the one time I install Norton 2008. I removed it right away and don't natively run those suites...I don't need them.

And Apple certainly isn't perfect. In fact they are an act I would never follow if I was a software developer.