Computer newbies forum: Downloading Microsoft Updates

Not long ago Microsoft released Service Pack 2 for XP. There were many howls as machines died all over. The problem has played out and in almost every case it was a pre-existing condition and a high percentage of the time the issue was "spyware."

Today this continues to be a big cause of Windows issues so my stance on spyware is "you don't want any."

Bob

The most intelligent way to use Microsoft's "updating" service is to right-click on "My Computer", go to "Properties", click the "Automatic Updates" tab and select the choice for "Notify me but don't automatically download or install them". Then whenever new "security fixes" or "high priority updates" are available, a little yellow "shield" icon appears in the taskbar, and a "pointer bubble" asks you to click here to download the updates.

You can then choose which updates to download, and unselect/uncheck any "garbage updates" that you don't need and don't want. For example, I would recommend de-selecting Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications, update # KB905474. That so-called "high priority update" has absolutely NO advantage for the consumer, and leads to wasted CPU cycles at every login, even if your copy of Windows is validated as "genuine", and a whole bunch of "nag" messages and popups--wasting even more valuable memory and processor time--if for some reason your copy of Windows is flagged as "non-genuine". And of course the software often makes mistakes, erroneously flagging legitimate users as "pirates".

After declining any undesirable update(s), a message box will appear that says "Updates that are not selected will not be downloaded. Click here to hide those updates." Make sure to check the box, so you don't get offered the same unwanted update(s) again. (Please note that even if you hide Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications, update # KB905474, you will still be offered this "high priority update" every 90 days, when a new version of it is released.)

Hope that helps.

So besides those that feel it's intrusive in some way can you tell us what issue you have so we can tackle that?

If it's just that, then welcome to the new rules.

Bob

...let me clarify. I DIDN'T use a CD to download SP2, and Windows Download Center doesn't (or no longer) has SP2 available as a direct download. I tried that right off the bat. Every time you follow a link to dl SP2, you get forwarded to a page that turns on the auto-installer, Windows Update, which then, in its majestic benevolence, offers to harvest available updates for you. The totally kick-ass part being that if you DON'T download and install the Genuine "Advantage," SP2 will NOT come down the pike. I know this because I went through this skullduggery 5 days ago. I'm still bitter about it. I'm glad we agree that you shouldn't have to install this update, and I am as strongly against it as you appear to be.

However, if I can bring it back around and get down to cases - is it or is it not possible to REMOVE this genuine disadvantage once it has already been installed?
Any and all feedback is well anticipated and appreciated.

Now THAT'S what I'm talkin' about!
Thanks for the excellent link to a useful utility!
I don't believe any legitimate user has any problem with validating their copy of Windows - in almost all cases it comes with the PC, and beyond that, I really can't think of ANY reason someone would intentionally try to pirate such a flawed OS unless they are just truly and shamelessly cheap (Linux IS gloriously free). That said, I think most people have a SERIOUS problem with MS putting thinly veiled spyware on their machine under the premise that it is "critical."

This utility is the best of both worlds - now that I've done the responsible thing in letting MS verify I have an authorized copy of their software, its time that they kindly left me alone.
Thanks for the advice sbill!

I'm a 'Power User', which I guess means that I've been using computers since 1968. Of course I do Alpha and Beta work for several companies. I have no problems with software updates from Microsoft, or even on my iMac for that matter. I do check the updates on both to make sure they won't interfere with the work I'm doing at the present time. But I can always install them at a later date by simply going to the Microsoft Update Site or the Apple site. Both are easy to check. I never do hardware updates from either, rather going to the manufacturers site as mentioned before. Inasmuch as I run Vista 32-bit and 64-bit on my desktop and 32-bit Vista on my laptop, with ability to use Office 2007, Exchange Server and so on on my desktop, all on a seperate hard drive from my primary hard drive, and am running Office 2004 on my Apple, I get updates quite often. You should make sure that Hardware updates will help your computer. Sometimes they won't but the manufacturer recommends them. If you download them, it's easy to take them off. Simply go to the Update section and look at installed updates. Take the ones off that are intefering by right-clicking on your mouse and hitting the delete section, generally located near the bottom of the information. As for the Windows Genuine Advantage, it is simply a method of determining if your copy of Windows is authentic. Those who don't like it and take it off their computers are doing themselves a great diservice. If the software is a fake, then they or you won't get the proper updates. Apple has this software but it's hidden, although easily found in the registry. But I will caution you about one thing: Never, and I mean Never, go into the registry unless you know what you are doing. I do, and I still am prone to slight mistakes (right clicking on the wrong value, deleting it for instance, then having to reinstall my software. No I'm not an idiot, just sometimes trying to do something so fast that I make a mistake. And when I do, it takes several hours to make up for that mistake. So don't do it unless you know how, and computer newbies generally don't know how to do that. Not to mention most, if not all, of your friends. and remember one thing, don't download software if you're not sure of it and never open anything that you don't know where it's coming from, even people you know. Viruses, Trojans and other types of malware are generally spread this way. That'ssomethng you, nor anyone else, don't want.