Microsoft stealth updates

[Gary]

Morning people  Well It seems at about 2am Microsoft has been doing stealth updates to its Windows Update service client side without notification! Some people have noticed this in their event log and this is even if you have it set to not auto update it appears, this also happens when you visit the windows update site. the response from Microsoft is as follows : Microsoft "Microsoft Corp. Thursday essentially called the concerns over undercover updates to Windows XP and Windows Vista a tempest in a teapot, saying that silent modifications to the Windows Update (WU) software have been a longtime practice and are needed to keep users patched.

Seems we have even less control than it seems these days over what happens on our machines, full story here: http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/137208/microsoft_downplays_stealth_update_concerns.html

[Rik]

I read this, Gary. Rock and hard place - we can't avoid what MS are doing unless we are prepared to run Windows unpatched (or move to Linux, of course ).

[Odos]

Or you could do as I do and that is a totally manual install of updates, it does take more time and you do need imaging software.

First make an image of your bare windows installation.
Then do a manual download and save to your hard drive of the updates you want/need. Of course this means letting M$ update the WU software so you can get them.
Wipe the partition and re-install your clean imaged windows installation.
Apply the updates/patches from your hard drive.

Cheers
   Tony

[Noreen]

This subject has been discussed on another forum to which I belong and attention was drawn to this item which may be helpful http://blogs.technet.com/mu/

[Rik]

Useful link, thanks Noreen.

[Rik]

Wipe the partition and re-install your clean imaged windows installation.
Apply the updates/patches from your hard drive.

Interesting technique, Tony. Jumping through hoops comes to mind.

[Gary]

I read this, Gary. Rock and hard place - we can't avoid what MS are doing unless we are prepared to run Windows unpatched (or move to Linux, of course ).

Oh I agree Rik but I like to be notified when configuration changes take place its like if I came to re-paint your house without asking, okay I did it and that's good and what you may have wanted but you would like to be notified I'm sure, I don't mind patching, as you said we have to be up to date but be open about it, or use Linux 

[Rik]

I agree completely - MS should be much more open about what they are doing.

[cavillas]

Just found also that Microsoft have stopped Autopatch from giving out updates via their site.  Ms have been happy with Autopatcher for the past 4 years so why stop them now?

[Rik]

I don't know, Alf, but more control seems to be the likely reason. Shame, it was a good service.

[cavillas]

Luckily enough Rik, I have kept all the AutoPatch files for xp and 2000 right up to August.  At least it will give me head start when I re-install.

[Rik]

You could start a small business selling CDs! 

[cavillas]

Might have to pay tax then, given that up some years ago. 

[Rik]

Put the business in your wife's name - or Lance's. 

[Lance]

Of course, I would have to take a large share of the profits!

[Rik]

Only if Alf lets you know...

[cavillas]

Who's Lance?

[Lance]

lol

[Rik]

Who's Lance?

Hey Alf, you just made Guru - have a karma to celebrate. 

[cavillas]

Hey me Mr Guru how do you do    Thanks Rik