Thursday, September 13th 2007

Microsoft Auto-Updates Components of Windows Without User Permission

The average Windows XP or Vista user has Windows Update turned on, so that they will ideally be more secure. However, quite a few businesses elect not to have automatic updates, as the version that they are running is stable, and moving to a new version might cause instability in a mission critical environment. Lately, however, Microsoft has been thinking that they know better than their users. Regardless of whether or not a user has automatic updates turned off, Windows XP and Vista automatically update roughly nine files in Windows Update. While it is not a big deal for people that don't mind having the most up-to-date version of Windows, this is a very large breach of security, privacy, and possible stability for anyone who elected to turn Windows Update off.
Source: Windows Secrets
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68 Comments on Microsoft Auto-Updates Components of Windows Without User Permission

#26
Kreij
Senior Monkey Moderator
DarkrealmsShhhhh..... NO ONE needs to let the users know that ; P
Lol ... I just toss updates out on our servers and workstations and if something goes wrong I refer to This list to explain to them what has gone wrong. Excuse # 17 usually works on the technically challenged.

If you have never read any of the BOFH stuff you are really missing out. :roll:
Posted on Reply
#27
p_o_s_pc
F@H&WCG addict
damn Microsucks if i wanted my system updated i would do it MYSELF. Microsucks may think they know best or better than the people using microsucks winblows. I hope they get there f&cking ass sued
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#28
effmaster
p_o_s_pcdamn Microsucks if i wanted my system updated i would do it MYSELF. Microsucks may think they know best or better than the people using microsucks winblows. I hope they get there f&cking ass sued
Geez man wtf. Relax take a chill pill its ok your going to be just fine.
People may not know what their doing in Microsucks winblows but they sure as hell know what their doing in Microsoft Windows dumbass:slap:
Posted on Reply
#29
Glump Bliermp
DarknovaHave you ever run a business? Have you ever run a network that needs to be 100% stable all the time?

I had the pleasure of working with a team for 6 weeks while i was off work, and it's one hell of a job, and any file that changes can cause problems, it may not, but you then have to test to make sure.
And like I said before, I highly doubt that any of your network software is reliant on 'Windows Update version: 1.49288C' for stability.
p_o_s_pcdamn Microsucks if i wanted my system updated i would do it MYSELF. Microsucks may think they know best or better than the people using microsucks winblows. I hope they get there f&cking ass sued
LOL!!! Some of you need to grow up. Nobody is forcing you to buy Windows. This isn't communist China. I on the other hand like to update my software, because most of the time, makes things work better.
Posted on Reply
#31
effmaster
zekrahminatorOh come on....


Whats your problem lol

Posted on Reply
#32
Ravenas
zekrahminatorOh come on....


Lol zek, you have too many cat pictures!

:roll::laugh:
Posted on Reply
#33
effmaster
RavenasLol zek, you have too many cat pictures!

:roll::laugh:
Indeed he does:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:
Posted on Reply
#35
effmaster
zekrahminatorI still have more :D.


rofl:roll::roll::roll::roll:

thats just mean il have to find another one to fight yopu back with give me about an hour to search my computer of my cat:laugh::laugh::laugh:
Posted on Reply
#36
zekrahminator
McLovin
You are no match for me and my 155 cat pictures :D.
Posted on Reply
#37
effmaster
zekrahminatorYou are no match for me and my 155 cat pictures :D.
bring it on i have over 200 at my disposal at my other computer don't have any more but i will have some first thing tomorrow :D:D

for now you can settle with this

Posted on Reply
#38
zekrahminator
McLovin
I'm going to have to use mine wisely then :laugh:.
Posted on Reply
#39
Darknova
Glump BliermpAnd like I said before, I highly doubt that any of your network software is reliant on 'Windows Update version: 1.49288C' for stability.


LOL!!! Some of you need to grow up. Nobody is forcing you to buy Windows. This isn't communist China. I on the other hand like to update my software, because most of the time, makes things work better.
Yes it is. There is delivery software which delivers updates to every other PC on the network at the same time during down-time, and if there happens to be a bug which prohibits that it's no longer an automated service, as you have to find which file, and either revert to an earlier, more stable, version, or update your delivery software to find a way around the bug.

Without sounding too rude, if you don't know what you are talking about, don't make a comment on the subject.
Posted on Reply
#40
Glump Bliermp
You're making a theoretical scenario - and I know enough about computers to assume that this is EXTREMELY UNLIKELY. When have you ever, in your entire life, heard of ANY software corrupting or causing problems on account of MS updating Windows Update? I never have.
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#41
Darknova
I don't doubt your knowledge of PCs, however from what I've seen you base everything on what you personally need, and on that account I am the same. For my Personal PC, I don't mind it being updated, I like everything to be updated, and any bugs that arise I will "try" to fix myself, or wait until another update comes a long. So I agree with you there.

However, I have seen it from a business point of view as well. My dad is currently working on rolling out Windows Vista worldwide for the FCO, and is also involved with the admins of the network. So both he and I know what we are talking about on this subject. It may be unlikely, it may not, but the fact that there is a CHANCE, is bad enough.
Posted on Reply
#42
Ravenas
Glump BliermpYou're making a theoretical scenario - and I know enough about computers to assume that this is EXTREMELY UNLIKELY. When have you ever, in your entire life, heard of ANY software corrupting or causing problems on account of MS updating Windows Update? I never have.
Lol are you serious?:roll::roll::roll:
Posted on Reply
#44
tkpenalty
you guys and your immature rant and rave... what is the point on disputing what microsoft does? Honestly, WHY are you using windows when you say it sucks balls? Please elaborate.

Glump, do you really think that microsoft puts out updates to deliberately screw us up? Maybe yes for the WGA, but realize this, you guys would do the SAME thing in their position, its a FACT. Secondly, it is very naive and ignorant to "go with the facts" then "go against the facts" to win an argument...please stop! Have you not realized that some microsoft updates have screwed people over with?

"LOL!!! Some of you need to grow up. Nobody is forcing you to buy Windows. This isn't communist China. I on the other hand like to update my software, because most of the time, makes things work better."

Cut the racism out as well.

EDIT: Refrain from the spam guys...
Posted on Reply
#45
lemonadesoda
I have to agree this rumpus is about nothing.

If you select "auto updates" then why the complaints?

If you manually update, then all it is doing is affecting the UPDATE files ONLY. No system files. Should it "bomb out", then all it will mean is that you update will stop working.

BIG DEAL.

STORM IN A TEACUP.

How can people be talking about "mission critical" computers. The update is made ONLY WHEN you do a manual update. It just doesnt tell you it's doing some updates to the update program. YAWN.
Posted on Reply
#46
Ketxxx
Heedless Psychic
ChaoticBlanknessBy "hole" I mean the one they dig to piss off their customers. If I tell my OS not to update or phone home in any way, it better damn well not.
Ditto. I specifically disable auto-updates after they have been installed on a clean XP install, then I also disable the service for auto updates, not just disable it in automatic updates. I'd go apeshit if I found MS was "secretly" making changes to MY system without my knowledge.
Posted on Reply
#47
mdm-adph
tkpenaltyyou guys and your immature rant and rave... what is the point on disputing what microsoft does? Honestly, WHY are you using windows when you say it sucks balls? Please elaborate.
If you know of any other operating systems that will allow you to play the most modern 3D games such as Bioshock, then please -- enlighten me.

Just because circumstances have caused you to have to use a certain product (Windows, etc.) doesn't mean that you don't have the rights to complain about it! On the contrary, I'd say it gives you all the more right since you've actually had to experience it. :p
Posted on Reply
#48
Darknova
lemonadesodaI have to agree this rumpus is about nothing.

If you select "auto updates" then why the complaints?

If you manually update, then all it is doing is affecting the UPDATE files ONLY. No system files. Should it "bomb out", then all it will mean is that you update will stop working.

BIG DEAL.

STORM IN A TEACUP.

How can people be talking about "mission critical" computers. The update is made ONLY WHEN you do a manual update. It just doesnt tell you it's doing some updates to the update program. YAWN.
"Regardless of whether or not a user has automatic updates turned off, Windows XP and Vista automatically update roughly nine files in Windows Update"
Posted on Reply
#49
Ravenas
mdm-adphIf you know of any other operating systems that will allow you to play the most modern 3D games such as Bioshock, then please -- enlighten me.

Just because circumstances have caused you to have to use a certain product (Windows, etc.) doesn't mean that you don't have the rights to complain about it! On the contrary, I'd say it gives you all the more right since you've actually had to experience it. :p
Most modern EA titles are on Mac. Blizzard games are on Mac. id is coming to Mac.

Alot of modern games can actually be played on ubuntu with wine.

:toast:
Posted on Reply
#50
lemonadesoda
Darknova"Regardless of whether or not a user has automatic updates turned off, Windows XP and Vista automatically update roughly nine files in Windows Update"
There seems to be different spins on the story. From what I've read elsewhere it works as follows:

1./ If automatic updates are off, nothing happens, until

2./ You select "manual update", then

3./ BEFORE you are presented with the options to select which updates you want, Windows Update updates itself first, WITHOUT ASKING

If the issue is worse than the above, I agree with everyones complaints. But if it really is only the 123 above, then, IMO, the issue is moot.
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