Updates Installing without My Permission

[Bruce]

These are XPHome machines, fully patched, SP2.

I have them set to notify me when updates are available, and I'll
download myself if I decide to install them. Many update notifications
have accumulated in the AutoUpdate window.

Recently, on two machines, I shut down, and before shutting down, Windows
said it was installing updates and not to upplug or turn off my computer.
Well, I pressed and held the off button on the front of the machine and
it did shut down right away.

Any ideas why Windows wanted to install the updates, even though I did
not have it set to do this?

Also, all of the accumulated updates in the AutoUpdate Window are gone,
and they weren't installed because they are not in my update history as
viewed at the update web site, and they are not in the add/remove panel
when I enable show updates.

If go to the Windows Update site, I'm told I have to first install
Windows Genuine Activation. I really don't want to do that because of
the problems I've heard about it. Is it fixed yet?

It's getting rediculous how many patches Microsoft puts out. I think
it's about time to put out SP3.

 

[Bill Sanderson]

The "problems" that you mention were never associated with Windows Genuine
Activation--just the beta of the "notification" of similar name.

That beta has been replace by a final version with improvements. I have no
hesitation in installing either at this point.

 

[Ron Martell]

If go to the Windows Update site, I'm told I have to first install
Windows Genuine Activation. I really don't want to do that because of
the problems I've heard about it. Is it fixed yet?

WGA has to be installed in order to *manually* get to the Microsoft
Update site. However automatic update, for critical updates only,
will still work even if WGA is not installed.

It's getting rediculous how many patches Microsoft puts out. I think
it's about time to put out SP3.

Check the record for any other operating system and you will find as
many, if not more.

I looked at a website for one Linux distro (FreeBSD I think it was)
and they listed over 19 different versions of their product, each with
its own set of updates and patches.

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca
Syberfix Remote Computer Repair

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

 

[Bruce]

The "problems" that you mention were never associated with Windows
Genuine Activation--just the beta of the "notification" of similar
name.

That beta has been replace by a final version with improvements. I
have no hesitation in installing either at this point.

Is that Windows Genuine Advantage Notification (KB905474)? It's sitting
in my AutoUpdate window waiting to be downloaded and installed, along
with many other updates.

 

[Bill Sanderson]

That's the one all the fuss was about. I believe this has died down pretty
well---the current update is not a beta, and doesn't communicate
excessively. It also can perform useful work for the user, as I discovered
when I needed to do a repair install of Windows on an OEM system--that app
warned me after the repair that I was no longer on SP2 and needed to be in
order to be supported. Updating was the next step I had in mind, but I
appreciated the clear reminder.

--

 

[Bruce]

That's the one all the fuss was about. I believe this has died down
pretty well---the current update is not a beta, and doesn't
communicate excessively. It also can perform useful work for the
user, as I discovered when I needed to do a repair install of Windows
on an OEM system--that app warned me after the repair that I was no
longer on SP2 and needed to be in order to be supported. Updating was
the next step I had in mind, but I appreciated the clear reminder.

I installed KB905474, but not the other updates I had waiting in the
AutoUpdate window. I wanted to see how KB905474 reacted with my system.
Afer installing it, I launched IE and went to Tools/Windows Update. It
immediately gave me the choice of Express or Custom. I choose Custom,
and I got a listing of the udates waiting in my AutoUpdate window. So, I
guess KB905474 worked fine. I'll wait a few days and install the other
updates.

Bruce

 

[Bill Sanderson]

Glad to hear it. This is something that is tested with the expectation that
it will be on every system--so it should be trouble-free. I've now got it
on every system I administer--at least 4 dozen or so, with a pretty broad
variety of hardware and software loads, but mainly Dells, in small offices.
No problems to report.

--