Comments on: Does Windows Patch Without Permission?

by: MuohioStudent

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 06:40:27 +0000

I confirm that this has occurred. I have my automatic updates set to “Notify me but don’t automatically download or install them.” I watched windows update in the bottom right corner as it showed “downloading updates”. It did this without ANY consent from me. I wouldn’t have even known about it if I wouldn’t have happened to see the little yellow alert box. Right after I noticed it, I immediately re-checked my automatic update policy. It still said “Notify me but don’t automatically download or install them.” Of course, that is what lead me to this article. Now, when i go to shutdown my computer, it is saying “Install updates and shut down”. I do have the option to just “shut down” without installing (at least that is an option - who knows what it will actually do). And by the way, I am running as Administrator.

I don’t know about you guys, but I think this is scary as hell. I can’t believe Microsoft would do that.

Windows Server 2003 R2
Enterprise Edition
Service Pack 2

by: SnowLeopard

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 04:59:06 +0000

My computer did this to me as well, however the strangest thing is that while my desktop (running WUAU in ‘download but do not install’ mode) rebooted itself and gave that annoying message about being restarted, my “server” (loosely used term: XP machine in a cupboard used for file shares) did not, despite the settings being ‘download and install automatically at 3AM daily’.

I now have a scheduled task on my desktop … Every hour, run “net stop wuauserv” … and one at 3:05AM to “net start wuauserv” … since that autorestart message seems to take longer than an hour to become persistent (and shut down regardless).

That command (net stop wuauserv) is very handy for removing the ‘Updates installed. M$ requests you to bow down and reboot NOW’ box … especially when the ‘Restart Later’ button really means ‘Nag me again in 5 mins’ … The service will not start by itself again until the next ‘checking for updates’ run happens (usually daily).

by: theman

Thu, 11 Oct 2007 03:19:28 +0000

I agree. This Microsoft restricts our choices. It’s freakily Orwellian. On the outside, it seems we’re about to choose, however, it seems like when I go to bed, Microsoft is calling the shots on my computer. I think maybe we could relent and install the updates, or, after each time we use the PC, we could turn off the internet. But for some of us, the computer runs for eternity.

I’m also angry at Microsoft for stealing the Tabs idea from Mozilla Firefox. It’s evil. So evil. But I also like Halo 3 and its plot very much.

But I’m very angry at Microsoft’s over-paternalistic way of caring for consumers. Sure, it’s for our own good, but we, as consumers, should have a right to choose. I want to be able to choose to install, and not have the system provide me with a Hobson’s choice on whether I should install the updates or not.

Cheers to all.
If we unite, our voices will be heard.

by: Ray

Sun, 26 Nov 2006 13:26:34 +0000

I generally could be considered a microsoftie, I program for living microsoft solution, lately I have been reconsidering my options, at more then one occasion I lost my work because of this and I say toppel this evil empire!

262c

by: HELP

Thu, 26 Oct 2006 21:26:29 +0000

would some one tell me how to do it without permission pleez???

by: Ryan

Mon, 18 Sep 2006 22:27:59 +0000

Kue… for a computer technician you should be able to answer your own questions.

Check your Windows Update settings and you will notice the allowed download and install dates.
Again, as a technician, you should realize that windows can tell how long the computer has been idle for and it may decide that it is an appropriate time to update.
All of these update issues can be solved through KB articles related to update settings, registry settings, etc.
If you’re all intelligent people then learn from this.

I probably don’t have to reiterate this, but Windows is severely pirated.
So what can MS do? well they force an update to your XP machine which causes a device driver failure. The screen will go black at random times on non-genuine machines and the computer will become non-responsive until it is rebooted. If you phone MS with this problem they can blame it on ‘it doesn’t work because it’s not genuine’.
It’s a smart solution to the mass pirating of their product.
And to be honest, Windows is an excellent platform for end-users, businesses, and servers.

The only downside to MS is 1: security holes, which are no doubt found due to it’s popularity; and 2: Price. The price of Windows OS’s is rather extreme for the average middle-class person (whether it be europe or north america).

I’ve honestly pirated software for my entire life. But I don’t blame MS when they have to use auto updates to force me to buy their product. I laugh, walk to the store and spend $150 on XP. Not a big deal.

Also keep in mind that auto-updates could be crucial. Remember back to the RPC holes? Of course you all can. I wish automatic update saved me then. It’s also nice to know that you can update via an install of XP with SP2 as well. So instead of getting RPC’d right when you get into windows for the first time, you can download and install security patches before even logging on for the first time.

Microsoft is Brilliant. And every now and then you have to understand that software glitches will be imminent and that business decisions will be made to protect their business and profitability, which in turn also protects you as the consumer. Driving profit drives better software.

I think you all catch my drift.
Live and learn. It’s not like their killing babies.

by: Kue

Tue, 05 Sep 2006 15:47:03 +0000

Can microsoft turn your computer on when you turn it off?

That’s the question I wondering about if anyone feel the same way. I’m a PC Technician in a small size business. I keep all the computer up to date with patches and hotfixes from microsoft website and have the automatic update schedule to get update everyday at a certain time. There’s has been cases that I walk away from the computer and when I return it log me out. When I log back in everythig was lost, thankfully I don’t have any thing runing that need to be save. Recently one of my user getting “Computer rebooted because security updates were installed” when she turn the computer on in the morning. Again, the computer is schedule to get update during the day at a certain time. At the end of the day the computer was turn off, no prompt about any update that need to be install. I have only see when you log off or shut down the computer at night and prompt if you want to install the update before shut off. Her station has all the patches and hotfixes including the new release patches and hotfixe. At first I didn’t think too much of it, than again is my job to make sure that all the computer working propertly and keep all the user happy. There’s not much to search into why she get the message in the morning when she shut the computer off at night.

So I wonder, if the computer was turn off, how is it able to turn itself on, install the update, rebooted, and power itself off? Oh yea one more thing the log me off when I walk away from the computer…is still a mystery. Nothing in the screen saver that could of cause it.

Something in the patches microsoft don’t want anyone to know perhaps?

gg microsoft grrrr.

by: Warren

Wed, 16 Aug 2006 19:29:25 +0000

Seems my AutoUpdate settings were reset to being fully auto.

Is this due to Microsoft’s wanting to know if all users’ software is legit? Or Homeland security?

What would reset the autoupdate settings?

Grrr….

by: DrC

Wed, 16 Aug 2006 17:36:14 +0000

I have 3 dedicated servers running win2k3 sp1. Almost EVERY month when it is update time I find my servers rebooted. I have set the damned policies to NOT reboot since I log on at night and check if a reboot is needed. But it keeps installing/rebooting whenever it feels like! I think I’ll just disable the damned services and do it the good ol’ way.
Enterprise my a$$…

by: Deepak

Thu, 10 Aug 2006 13:12:23 +0000

Yes, my Win XP SP2 PC rebooted itself too, and I lost a lot of file transfers that were in progress. Nowhere near as bad as what happened to Philip Walker (my heart goes out to you dude), but still COMPLETELY unacceptable.

And people wonder why people hate Micro$$$$$oft ?!! Linux champions, heck, BSD and Mac OS X fans too, should pounce on this opportunity to drive nails into the coffin of the retarded Redmond giant.