Microsoft braces for user backlash over downloads

The Journal Gazette (Ft. Wayne) | Toronto Globe and Mail ^ | 8/01/05 | Simon Avery

[AntiGuv]

FWIW, I just so happened to run a Windows Update earlier this evening and after Microsoft frisked me it gave me two updated drivers it hadn't realized I needed before. =)

I'm ambivalent about this kind of thing, but if there's absolutely no personally identifying data gathered then I don't have much of a problem.

[TexasTransplant]

I have already been down this path, it isn't all that rough, the worst part is speaking to someone in India or wherever and then... worry about just how secure is this?

My new motherboard is now the registered one for my old software, I just don't see a need to upgrade, everything works fine. If they want to pay for shipping they can have my old one, case and all.

[SoDak]

So, for those people foolish enough to enable Automatic Update, does this mean their systems are routinely and regularly examined by MS?

[glorgau]

Read the license. Microsoft can do whatever they want to the contents of your computer. If they deem it in violation of the license, they can wipe it with no liability on their part.

[Terpfen]

No. Automatic Updates bypasses the WGA authentication: of course, you'll only get security patches with Automatic Updates.

[BigSkyFreeper]

All of this from the same company that promised all of their problems would be taken care of with the release of Windows 98.

[AntiGuv]

I don't have Auto Update enabled, but I had to validate this evening it placed a Browser Help Object on the system, evidently in place of the original Windows XP registration, and the BHO is dependent on a "legitcheckcontrol.dll" file. I had to give it permission to do that. My guess is that all it does from now on is confirm the presence of the BHO.

[LibWhacker]

Sure sounds like it, doesn't it?

[AntiGuv]

That should read: when I had to validate this evening..

[SoDak]

No license here, none needed.

[benjaminjjones]

two updated drivers

Hardware drivers? Yikes! I do the security updates, but everytime I've installed one of their hardware drivers, it's whacked a machine.

I never, never use their auto hardware drivers, prefer to get them from the mfg.

[AntiGuv]

PS. It doesn't let you remove the validation tool by 'ordinary' means either. I was gonna see what it does if you do; presuming it would ask to validate again when I try to run Windows Update. I could rip it out anyhow but I don't feel that much need to find out. LOL

[AntiGuv]

I almost always get them from the manufacturer myself, but this seems to have nicely fixed my very annoying connection problems and internet lag of the past few weeks. They were drivers for my network card. I'd actually tried to find newer drivers but hadn't been able to track them down. Microsoft actually done good! I should mark this day on my calendar..

[NewRomeTacitus]

It's an obnoxious assumption by Microsoft that they can review everything on your computer just because you're using their operating system. Would you let your realtor search your house anytime just because you wanted him to have one thing fixed that should have been good when you bought the place?

[Wooly]

The Worst Things You Can Do To Your Computer.

1. Enable Microsoft Auto Updates.

2. On The Windows Update Website, install all of the updates it lists that you do not have installed. (Please note that I did not write that you need.)

The fact is that very few of the downloads listed on windows update are needed to fix problems. Many are junkie add ons that MS thinks you may want, but you do not need or in the case of Digital Copyright Management, may actually prevent you from doing something on your computer you already do. And if this isn't enough, some of these patches, updates and drivers can completely screwup your computer.
The best thing is to install only those updates that apply to you and the way you use the computer,like Service Pack 1 which give USB 2.0 support. The website below is a place where you can download updates for not only Microsoft , but also many more programs and hardware, then install only what you really need. And as a bonus there is an abbreviated description of each update, so that you can determine the need.

[Wooly]

Website address from last post
http://www.softwarepatch.com/index.html

[AntiGuv]

I do review every update carefully before downloading and don't download anything that seems useless to me. Thanks for the website link! I'll definitely check it out.

[benjaminjjones]

I almost always get them from the manufacturer myself

Occasionally MS fixes their problems.

I know it's sad for an IT guy, but my main machine is still 98SE with an Intel mobo and I've always had problems with the 98SE WinUpdate device drivers.

I've been meaning to upgrade the beast (to NT, then 2K, now XP) but it's got so many utilities and crap from over the years, I'm caught in dread between an upgrade or a building a completely new machine and reinstalling everything.

Even doubly sad since I've made a living fixing 'puters since early DOS (now through XP), and servers since NW 3.X through MS 2003.

It's kinda like the carpenter who never fixes his own broken stairway.

[The Red Zone]

Even doubly sad since I've made a living fixing 'puters

Be glad you're not the Maytag repairman.