A recent case of Microsoft updating Windows Vista and Windows XP has got quite a heated discussion on the internet. Apparently, Microsoft gives an option for users to choose not to update Windows automatically. However, there are several updates that seem to have some sort of a stealth ability and sneak through those options to update. And that really is a bad idea.
The Windows Update Program Manager has explained that the updates are pertaining to updating the Windows Update software only:
any user who chooses to use Windows Update either expected updates to be installed or to at least be notified that updates were available. Had we failed to update the service automatically, users would not have been able to successfully check for updates and, in turn, users would not have had updates installed automatically or received expected notifications. That result would not only fail to meet customer expectations but even worse, that result would lead users to believe that they were secure even though there was no installation and/or notification of upgrades. To avoid creating such a false impression, the Windows Update client is configured to automatically check for updates anytime a system uses the WU service, independent of the selected settings for handling updates (for example, “check for updates but let me choose whether to download or install themâ€Â). This has been the case since we introduced the automatic update feature in Windows XP. In fact, WU has auto-updated itself many times in the past.
Some users’ computers are set to download for do not install them automatically. However Windows Update went ahead to install it anyway. The files updated are as follows:
- wuapi.dll
- wuapp.exe
- wuauclt.exe
- wuaueng.dll
- wucltux.dll
- wudriver.dll
- wups.dll
- wups2.dll
- wuwebv.dll
This time Microsoft is in trouble with many techies beings rather upset. If you really do not want Windows Update to update itself, make sure you disable the download completely.
The option to download but not install is a good idea. It should have been a lot more clear. And allowing Windows Update to install itself without consent it just double standards and I’m sure no administrator is going to like that at all.
Possibly related:
It downloaded without permission, and used to have the option to not install the intrusive files… but now I do not have that option and during my use of the computer a pop-up comes up that starts shutting down my computer and gives me a choice to shut down now or “later”. There, it just did it again. So, I went to my Start window and the shut down options do not give me a chance to choose to shut down without installing.
Not only that but now in my Norton 360 it shows that I have chosen auto Windows update, which I never chose, and when I go to my new N360 I cannot change the option to choose not to update.
I am really very angry about this, and feel very manipulated. I hope to hell we have a say in this. I notice that there have been no further “negative” comments. Is everybody happy with this situation now. What’s your experience?? Can you choose not to update now, or not?
redraddar
by red raddar (Jan 20, 2008 at 8 PM)Update on windows updating: I finally remembered how to choose not to update Windows through…. My Computer>Manager>Automatic Update and choose to disable.
Again to clarify…. after windows stealthfully downloaded their “update” my OS (XP Sp2) eventually left me with no choice but to install when I rebooted (at first when downloaded there was a choice in “shutdown” to not intall upon reboot, then after rebooting haven chosen to reboot without installation there were some more downloaded updates that needed rebooting to install with no choice to reboot without installation).
So, it appears it stealthfully downloaded and installed the initial update (not requested) and the choice to not auto-date was changed to “automatic update”, which I have just changed back to deny updates.
Anyone out there have a similar experience? Still feel very manipulated and angry.
redraddar
by Red Raddar (Jan 22, 2008 at 10 AM)This situation happened to me and I don’t like it at all!
by William (Feb 16, 2008 at 3 AM)