Windows Updates

eaglestar · 17-09-2009, 17:44

Hello everyone, I hope I am on the correct section of the forum if not

please accept my apologies.When I logged on today, windows told me I

had a windows defender update so I duly went to updates and went

through the usual procedure, however, when it had finished windows said

the update was not installed because it was not needed.

Now for my question, is there a fault with my computer or does this sort

of thing happen often.

Many thanks

Stuart · 17-09-2009, 17:57

If you were told you had a windows defender update, it was probably already installed..

joglynne · 17-09-2009, 18:00

The latest defender update that I received to-day was KB915597 (definition 165.848.0)

I very occasionally have updates that fail. Is the code number for the update listed in your Update History? If it is you could google it to see what the update was about.

eaglestar · 17-09-2009, 20:43

Many thanks for both your replies.

It was the KB update number you listed joglynne
and when I checked in my update history although it said at the time it wasn't needed under status it says successful but when I checked the installed updates section it's not there.

joglynne · 17-09-2009, 21:00

I have noticed that none of the Windows Defender updates (which all have the common number KB915597) show up on the Installed Updates list although they always show on the Update History list as having been successfully installed.

I hazard a guess that only removable updates are listed on the Installed Updates list as this list allows you to uninstall any item on it.

eaglestar · 17-09-2009, 21:48

Thanks again joglynne for your reply. Can you advise on whether you think this update has or hasn't been installed re: my original post .

joglynne · 17-09-2009, 22:22

Sorry eaglestar but I am only going off what my own updates have done and have never had the same message so can't speak from experience. If the update is reported to have been successful ..your post 4# then I would accept that.

Maybe another member will be able to throw more light on what may have happened.

Personally I wouldn't be too fussed unless this happened again as I have Windows Defender set to operate automatically and it checks for updates before it performs a scan and would, I assume, either try to install this update again or install a later one if available.

abailey152 · 18-09-2009, 15:59

Windows Defender sometimes updates itself independantly from the Windows Update dialog.

So Windows Update recognises the definition update and notifies you. Meanwhile Windows Defender is automatically installing that very same update. You respond to the Windows Update notification, but it now knows that either the update is in the process of being installed, or has been installed. In both instances, you will get an error through Windows Update.

Nothing to worry about. Just the messy way Windows works!

joglynne · 18-09-2009, 16:44

Thanks for explaining how the Defender updates work Andy. Guess I haven't been in that position yet so at least now I will know what has happened if I get the same message as eaglestar.

18-09-2009, 16:49

Windows Defender is rubbish.

On some report I read a while ago - it came out something like 9 / 10 of the top ten (1 being good - 10 being bad!)

Graham M · 18-09-2009, 17:30

Out of how many tested Lee?

eaglestar · 18-09-2009, 17:55

Thanks to all who replied, I have, as always, learned another valuable piece of info from the forum.You have set my mind at rest about this as I thought sure my computer was on the blink.
Many thanks