Is Windows 7 reliability fix making PCs less reliable?

There are reports in a TechNet forum that claim a recently released reliability and stability patch for Windows 7 may end up making some PCs less reliable and stable.

The Ars Technica site discovered the thread about the fix, KB977074, late last week. KB977074, one of a number of Windows 7 updates Microsoft made available for download at the end of January, was designed to "resolve some reliability issues in Windows 7."

Some users commenting on TechNet said they were experiencing blue screens and hangs when trying to start up their Windows 7 PCs since applying the reliability patch; others say they are experiencing shut-down lags which may be connected to the same patch. Some users claim that by hiding the reliability update, these problems are alleviated.

When I asked Microsoft officials about the alleged problem, I received the following statement via a spokesperson:

“We have not seen this (reliability/stability problems resulting from the patch) as a major issue within our customer support channels; however, we are aware of it and are working to identify the cause.  At this point, there is no indication that this specific update is the cause of the install issues. We will share more information when it becomes available.”

Microsoft officials also said recently they had not received reports via the company's official customer support channels of alleged battery issues that some Windows 7 users said they've been experiencing. I've heard back from two users (one of whom, a Microsoft Gold reseller partner, I quote here) who've been willing to share their real names and details about these problems, so I'm a bit puzzled about Microsoft's claim that they haven't heard direct complaints. (Maybe there are some official help-desk hoops these individuals aren't jumping through? Or maybe Microsoft isn't getting complaints directly, but certain OEMs are? Not sure....)

I myself have noticed that applications that I haven't closed before attempting to shut down Windows 7 are more noticeably delaying my PC shutdown in the couple of weeks. I have not experienced any new boot-up problems, however.

I'm curious if anyone else out there is having reliability/stability problems since applying the above-mentioned fix. If so, please chime in via Talkback or send email to me using the form at the bottom of my site. (I won't share anyone's names or information unless I ask and you OK it.)