Windows Stealth Updates
by Adrian Kingsley-Hughes | September 13, 2007 3:25am PDT | Image 3 of 3
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Stealth Updates
One of the updated files.
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Trustworthy computing just lost all of its meaning. I cant believe they insist on having access to your computer even when AU are off. !
Maybe Microsoft don't trust us to update our systems so they'll do it for us regardless!
Trustworthy computing just lost all of its meaning.
What rock did you just crawl out from under? Trustworthy computing always was about them trusting you, not the other way around.
What rock did you just crawl out from under? Trustworthy computing always was about them trusting you, not the other way around.
meaning.. we should only trust them.. when we want to.
On or about AUG 25 I program that I use quit working. I writes a file to DOC..Temp, but cant find it. MS broke my system
i get busted for grammar often on zdnet posts, becuase all the other forums i subscribe to have this feature.
His grammar are perfect,
So....3rd party Firewall to block AU???
Sadly, perhaps!
Wonder which associated processes we'd also have to stop???
Sadly, perhaps!
Wonder which associated processes we'd also have to stop???
It will be interesting how the corporate IT departments will respond to updates being pushed without their consent. Perhaps there will be a different version of the OS for them that disables this function ?
I am no IT expert but it has been obvious to me for years that Microsoft "updates" and changes my configurations without my permission.
Every time I seem to have my programs and everything working just the way I like it. I'll sit down at my desk to do something I've done hundreds of times before and it no longer works.
It is a shame that a company like Microsoft which has made such a great contribution to the computing world feels they have to "take care of users" whether they elect to be taken care of or not. Microsoft, computer god.
Every time I seem to have my programs and everything working just the way I like it. I'll sit down at my desk to do something I've done hundreds of times before and it no longer works.
It is a shame that a company like Microsoft which has made such a great contribution to the computing world feels they have to "take care of users" whether they elect to be taken care of or not. Microsoft, computer god.
As an end user, you are bound by the "End User Licensing Agreement". Remember, you do not own the copy of Windows installed on your computer..."The Software is licensed, not sold". If you don't agree with the terms of the license, uninstall, work through the REMEDY clause of the agreement and move to an open source OS and deal with a different set of problems. This rant is useless and it is getting very annoying to read article after article about it.
In addition, read the following paragraph directly from EULA...
2.3 Internet-Based Services Components. The Software contains components that enable and facilitate the use of certain Internet-based services. You acknowledge and agree that Microsoft may automatically check the version of the Software and/or its components that you are utilizing and may provide upgrades or fixes to the Software that will be automatically downloaded to your Workstation Computer.
In addition, read the following paragraph directly from EULA...
2.3 Internet-Based Services Components. The Software contains components that enable and facilitate the use of certain Internet-based services. You acknowledge and agree that Microsoft may automatically check the version of the Software and/or its components that you are utilizing and may provide upgrades or fixes to the Software that will be automatically downloaded to your Workstation Computer.
2.4. Since my computer is an extention of MY living room, nobody may enter my living room without my express permission, or, a warrant.
MICROSOFT, regardless of EULA, can not LEGALLY enter my computer and try to change things.
Ergo, all Microsoft SHILLS that come to ZDnet need to be told to Piss Off, like I am telling you.
MICROSOFT, regardless of EULA, can not LEGALLY enter my computer and try to change things.
Ergo, all Microsoft SHILLS that come to ZDnet need to be told to Piss Off, like I am telling you.
Oh, too funny! This whole mess was started when someone asked about "stealth" updates. I only told you why. If you ignore the "why", that's your problem.
Simple solution...unplug from the internet and you will never again be bothered by MS. As a bonus, we won't have to read your illogical postings.
Simple solution...unplug from the internet and you will never again be bothered by MS. As a bonus, we won't have to read your illogical postings.
Damn stupid reply, that might be simple but not really a solution. (Do you work for M$ or related?)
There's no need to cut your nose off to spite your face. Just stop Windows Update:
- either turn Windows Update off in Services, and/or;
- nuke the files* that cause the problem (i.e Windows Update program files).
- then download Windows patches manually and install them manually--but only after you determine what they are for (this bit can be a bit tricky when M$ doesn't tell you what they do--therefore always backup** first).
-----------
(* This is not meant to be a tutorial on nuking the update stuff but you could delete every system file that begins with 'WU'. Make sure you delete ALL the cache versions first (dllcache etc.) or they'll be back. If you don't understand the reason for this then don't do it at all. I don't want to be blamed for encouraging incompetents to further stuff up the incomprehensible.)
(** If you have to restore for any reason then don't leave any WU shrapnel hanging about (set restore to overwrite existing and remove all files added since the original backup so you only have what was in the restore in the system directories).
There's no need to cut your nose off to spite your face. Just stop Windows Update:
- either turn Windows Update off in Services, and/or;
- nuke the files* that cause the problem (i.e Windows Update program files).
- then download Windows patches manually and install them manually--but only after you determine what they are for (this bit can be a bit tricky when M$ doesn't tell you what they do--therefore always backup** first).
-----------
(* This is not meant to be a tutorial on nuking the update stuff but you could delete every system file that begins with 'WU'. Make sure you delete ALL the cache versions first (dllcache etc.) or they'll be back. If you don't understand the reason for this then don't do it at all. I don't want to be blamed for encouraging incompetents to further stuff up the incomprehensible.)
(** If you have to restore for any reason then don't leave any WU shrapnel hanging about (set restore to overwrite existing and remove all files added since the original backup so you only have what was in the restore in the system directories).
Hell Yeah!!! It's my privacy, my home, they're invading.
Your rant is useless.
If Microsoft wanted their EULA to be viewed, they would place it in an accessible location, instead of hiding it inside a sealed package or on a cd/dvd.
No!, they want all information concealed until the customer (presently known as "user") is committed to the point that they consider the point of no return.
What they are implying is, "we got your money, now up your gazootie".
If Microsoft wanted their EULA to be viewed, they would place it in an accessible location, instead of hiding it inside a sealed package or on a cd/dvd.
No!, they want all information concealed until the customer (presently known as "user") is committed to the point that they consider the point of no return.
What they are implying is, "we got your money, now up your gazootie".
It's a wonder Gates hasn't declared himself King of the United States.
It's a wonder Gates hasn't been accused of trying to declare himself King of the USA.
Everybody knows the real power is always with the guy behind the curtain. Look at Dick Cheney. I'm just waiting for the day when a defect or a Good Samaritan hacker makes Genuine Disadvantage disable - or, better yet, format - all Windows installations without user confirmation. Then, we'll see some changes - if it doesn't get blamed on OBL by the Gang That Can't Shoot Straight.
Why should he bother with the USA when he wants to rule the world.
If you people would run updates our evil overlord would not need to step in!
That would be like going to the doctor and deciding you don't want treatment for your condition, but the doctor decides he will administer the treatment anyway.
yes... sadly this is true. the vast majority of end users don't regularly get updates at all. can't tell you the number of times i have chewed people(family members usually) out for not keeping their PCs updated. a lot of times i end up turning on auto-updates only to have them turn it back off. Still; MS goes a bit too far with it i think. bet they collect a lot of info they really don't need to have in order to update your pc for you. i have internet disabled on my windows partition, as i only use it for a handful of games i have that wont run under WINE on linux.
could not get downloads. Microsoft said
my XP could not get verified and the Office
2003 could not get verified. Possible pirate.
Not true - these are student versions that were
from a univ. source.
my XP could not get verified and the Office
2003 could not get verified. Possible pirate.
Not true - these are student versions that were
from a univ. source.
Look at it this way... If they can put information on your computer they can also get information/data/personal information off of your computer. Now how do you feel about their Stealth EULA.
These unannounced, unasked-for updates are what finally pushed me to try Linux again (last time I tried Linux was @ 5 yrs ago). I'm pretty happy with the distro I'm using now (MEPIS) and am keeping Windows for those apps for which I can't find a Linux alternative, primarily right now a CAD program and driver software for a CNC machine. Other than that- Windows free. And I was pretty satisfied before I switched- I just don't like someone accessing my machine without my express permission.
I use GoBack Deluxe, so if something gets messed up, I ban revert the hard-drive. So far, I've had no problems. However, it does concern me that M$ cab be sneaky enough to possibly see everything I hav on my computer. I don't mind the updates, as long as I have privacy.
I AM RUNNING VISTA AND HAVE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM FOR OVER A WEEK. HOW DO YOU STOP IT?
Use system restore in your control Panel and restore the computer to a date before you had the problem.
With MAC OSX, every update is very plain and above board, you get an immediate option to say yea or nay to each update and to discover what it does. Since I changed my personal machine to an iMAC, I have less worries about what an update is going to do to my computing environment and about information being disclosed without my knowledge. There is no Apple Genuine Advantage program.
I made the mistake of getting a vista machine in a business enviornment and it has recently started shutting down and restarting without any questions asked. Could this be the same issue? There are constant updates from King Micro, could this be restarting my box?
Use system restore from Control Panel to reset the computer to an earlier date. Vista is good about setting a restore point with important updates. I used this back in August and have not allowed another Microsoft Update since that time because of connectivity problems. I use CA Security Suite and Windows Defender for protection. So far it appears this computer has been safe and has been running well.
I always specify when MS Update will run and what it updates. I always click on Custom rather than Express then if I don't want it I don't select it. Easy, but then, I haven't been daft enough to get Vista.
I am not having a problem with the stealth updates on Vista. When I purchased my new laptop in June, I chose to select all of the installs. I installed an update in August that affected my wifi connections preventing me from connecting. I performed a system restore to an earlier time and have not allowed updates from MS since that time. I have two firewalls and do install updates to the MS Defender in addition to CA Security System. When MS shows they are trustworthy and releases more information about each update, I will consider performing their updates. Hey I can always dual boot with Ubuntu!
Patti
Patti
Just a theory, but after troubleshooting many software issues with both Linux and various windows operating systems... it seems to me that Microsoft is thowing updates at us that are not compatible with many of the security suites we are using. A pattern seems to be emerging that leads me to believe this. Unfortunately too there are many software developers out there who design products to work on raw systems and they do not investigate compatibility issues. It is not just Microsoft that is guilty of this.
At one time there were programs being developed that resolved conflicts. That is no longer possible with the number of products being developed at the present time. We just have to be more proactive in monitoring our computers as we install and uninstall software.
At one time there were programs being developed that resolved conflicts. That is no longer possible with the number of products being developed at the present time. We just have to be more proactive in monitoring our computers as we install and uninstall software.
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