Windows Updates - Why does MS keep moving the goal posts?

Theodoric · 22-07-2005, 16:55

A week or so ago I decided to make a serious attempt to get up to date with my Windows updates. I go to the MS update site and find that I am now required to install a piece of software in order to download any updates. So, I download this and run a few updates.

I attempted to continue the downloads today and got a message that said I couldn't do this until I ran services.msc and started Automatic Updates, BITS and the Event Log. Well, I did this and it graciously allowed me to carry on downloading and installing.

What is MS up to; this making life more complicated every few weeks? Are there future complications in the pipeline.

And a couple of other points.

I noticed that one or two of the updates were labelled as zero size because they had been downloaded and were awaiting installation. I don't remember downloading them.

Just to confuse the likes of me, it would seem that the Automatic Downloads service is not the same as the Automatic Downloads in the Security Centre (I have it switched off).

nffc · 23-07-2005, 00:19

part way to the nanny zone where ms control all our PCs and auto call-home on what's on them... /me thinking of going linux.

AndrewJ · 23-07-2005, 01:47

I have it disabled on mine and I only enable it when I wish to update.

Tristan · 23-07-2005, 02:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by nffc

part way to the nanny zone where ms control all our PCs and auto call-home on what's on them... /me thinking of going linux.

Download the Ubuntu Live CD. It's a great way to see if you'll like Linux without actually having to install anything on your PC. If you like it, you can then download the install CD. There's also a DVD with both the live version and the install data. Get everything here:

http://ubuntu.hands.com/releases/5.04/

(x86, x86_64 and PPC versions are available).

ntl customer · 23-07-2005, 11:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saxodriver

I have it disabled on mine and I only enable it when I wish to update.

Et moi.

I will update only when I want to update. Not when my computer or when BillyG wants to.

If there's one thing that irks me about the current WU system is for it to even work (and not chuck up that 0x000blahblah message on screen) the BITS/Event Log/Automatic updates service must all be on automatic. Why? Isn't manual not good enough for you, Microsoft?

Chrysalis · 23-07-2005, 15:54

afaik there is a manual option.

nffc · 23-07-2005, 16:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrysalis

afaik there is a manual option.

it not work though.

Tezcatlipoca · 23-07-2005, 17:24

BITS, at least, can be left on Manual, & WU will still work.

Chrysalis · 23-07-2005, 21:21

works for me, goto control panel - system - windows updates and choose the bottom option it wont even prompt you when updates are available.

I personally choose the 3rd option where it tells you when updates available but doesnt download and install them.

Tezcatlipoca · 24-07-2005, 00:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrysalis

works for me, goto control panel - system - windows updates and choose the bottom option it wont even prompt you when updates are available.

I personally choose the 3rd option where it tells you when updates available but doesnt download and install them.

As mentioned earlier, it's the Automatic Updates *service* which must be enabled to allow the use of Windows Update. 'Tis separate to the Automatic Updates bit under "System" (& also in the Control Panel).

Yep, you can turn off Automatic Updates as you have, & still use Windows Update.

But, if you turn off the Automatic Updates service (Start>Run>services.msc or Start>Control Panel> Administrative Tools> Services), not only does it prevent the use of Auto Updates - it also prevents manual use of Windows Update.

Nikko · 24-07-2005, 01:14

I took an optional (non critical) update last week for sync. for the pocket PC drivers etc.

Then I noticed I had to reboot the router to get a net connection every session, altho 2 other desktops on the LAN were fine.

So when I had time I had a delve, only to find that the update to windows media had helpfully changed settings and fully enabled XP firewall and blocked everything!

Chrysalis · 25-07-2005, 00:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt D

As mentioned earlier, it's the Automatic Updates *service* which must be enabled to allow the use of Windows Update. 'Tis separate to the Automatic Updates bit under "System" (& also in the Control Panel).

Yep, you can turn off Automatic Updates as you have, & still use Windows Update.

But, if you turn off the Automatic Updates service (Start>Run>services.msc or Start>Control Panel> Administrative Tools> Services), not only does it prevent the use of Auto Updates - it also prevents manual use of Windows Update.

thats correct, in that case you would enable it just before going to winupdate site and then redisable it after.

Strzelecki · 25-07-2005, 01:54

You might be interested in http://www.autopatcher.com/
The chap who makes it gethers all the Windows updates and regularly puts them into one nice program package, ok so it won't be quite as up to date as using windows update but it can be more convenient and dead handy for making your own unattended XP setups.