Downloading Critical Updates

[Martin51144]

I have had problems downloading critical updates. I was
told both by Dell tech support and Microsoft tech support
that I should disable my firewall and anti-virus software
before downloading the updates. In addition, Dell
support states from their personal experience they have
found there were many problems downloading updates,
including critical ones, and recommend not doing so.
Yet, when I ask them is this the stated policy of Dell
they say no, it's based on their personal experience. A
Microsoft technician said that critical updates should be
installed on my computer to insure a smoother and safer
performance of the operating system. First, why doesn't
Microsoft warn its users to disable the firewalls and
anti-virus before they download the updates? Secondly,
does Microsoft still recommend downloading critical
updates in spite of what Dell tech support warns against?

 

[R. McCarty]

Microsoft cannot make recommendations about 3rd party
applications, it is not their responsibility. Properly configured
Anti-Virus and Firewalls should not prevent Windows Update.
from working. However, Cookie Handling and Ad-Blocking
can and does interfere with Windows Update.

Critical Updates are just that. Components that have a defect
or pose a security risk. As Alex Nichol has pointed out, not
all Critical updates are applicable to "Home" users. However,
Windows Update does not denote which Critical updates are
focused for Corporate/Domain/Networked systems and which
are geared for the "Home" user.

Dell Support has been outsourced, so most of it's Technical
expertise is from Database checking for similar issues & fixes.
Whatever they suggest is simply to get you off the phone &
close your problem ticket - Not to fix your computer.

You will receive better thought out analysis and suggestions
from this newsgroup than an hour-long call to Dell Support.

 

[Mike Brannigan [MSFT]]

I have had problems downloading critical updates. I was
told both by Dell tech support and Microsoft tech support
that I should disable my firewall and anti-virus software
before downloading the updates. In addition, Dell
support states from their personal experience they have
found there were many problems downloading updates,
including critical ones, and recommend not doing so.
Yet, when I ask them is this the stated policy of Dell
they say no, it's based on their personal experience. A
Microsoft technician said that critical updates should be
installed on my computer to insure a smoother and safer
performance of the operating system.
First, why doesn't
Microsoft warn its users to disable the firewalls and
anti-virus before they download the updates?

Because it is not absolutely necessary, the removal of your firewall leaves
you vulnerable for that time and thus is not recommended. The disabling of
the AV software during the install may or may not be necessary. Personally
I do neither and run both my firewall and AV during all updates.

Secondly,
does Microsoft still recommend downloading critical
updates in spite of what Dell tech support warns against?

We would recommend the installation of all critical updates - HOWEVER as you
are using an OEM machine and the OEM supports the OS on that machine - they
have the final advice on any matter concerning the support for a product
they supplied you. So you should take your lead from Dell - it is their kit
and their install of the OEM operating system, they should "know best".

--
Regards,

Mike
--
Mike Brannigan [Microsoft]

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights

Please note I cannot respond to e-mailed questions, please use these
newsgroups

 

[Lori]

Hi there,
I also have anti-virus and firewall but i do not have a
problem with downloading critical updates.
Have you tried going into the homepage and selecting the
critical update and arrange for it to be automatically
downloaded.

 

[Lori]

Hi there,
I also have anti-virus and firewall but i do not have a
problem with downloading critical updates.
Have you tried going into the homepage and selecting the
critical update and arrange for it to be automatically
downloaded.

 

[Rob Schneider]

I have had problems downloading critical updates. I was
told both by Dell tech support and Microsoft tech support
that I should disable my firewall and anti-virus software

I do neither, and it works fine. My fire wall blocks all incoming
requests and I log/monitor it so I know it's working. My Norton
anti-virus is also working all the time. I never turn it off. I don't
know any basis for what Dell or Microsoft are saying other than to get
you off the phone quicker and pass the buck.

before downloading the updates. In addition, Dell
support states from their personal experience they have
found there were many problems downloading updates,
including critical ones, and recommend not doing so.

Not my experience. Can they be specific, e.g. give the identifying
number, that caused them a problem?

Yet, when I ask them is this the stated policy of Dell
they say no, it's based on their personal experience. A
Microsoft technician said that critical updates should be
installed on my computer to insure a smoother and safer
performance of the operating system. First, why doesn't

I dont't think this the stated purpose of these updates. Read what it
says on your help screen describing this.

Microsoft warn its users to disable the firewalls and
anti-virus before they download the updates? Secondly,

They don't warn because it's bad advice.

does Microsoft still recommend downloading critical
updates in spite of what Dell tech support warns against?

I assume and hop so.

 

[Ron]

-----Original Message-----
I have had problems downloading critical updates. I was
told both by Dell tech support and Microsoft tech support
that I should disable my firewall and anti-virus software
before downloading the updates. In addition, Dell
support states from their personal experience they have
found there were many problems downloading updates,
including critical ones, and recommend not doing so.
Yet, when I ask them is this the stated policy of Dell
they say no, it's based on their personal experience. A
Microsoft technician said that critical updates should be
installed on my computer to insure a smoother and safer
performance of the operating system. First, why doesn't
Microsoft warn its users to disable the firewalls and
anti-virus before they download the updates? Secondly,
does Microsoft still recommend downloading critical
updates in spite of what Dell tech support warns against?
.

Your problem may be your security settings. Security must
be set to medium or lower. On the Tools menu, click
Internet Options. Click Security tab. Click the Internet
icon, and then Custom Level. Make sure the following
settings are set to Enable or Prompt:
Download signed ActiveX Controls
Run ActiveX Controls and plug-ins
Script ActiveX Controls marked safe for scripting
Active scripting

Hopes this helps.
Ron