'Stealth Update' Blocking XP Repair? Here's Help
There's been a lot of hubbub over the past couple of weeks over the discovery that Microsoft has been sending out "stealth" software updates that install themselves on users' computers without informing them or even asking them if they wanted the updates.
In fact, Gregg Keizer over at sister publication Computerworld reported on September 12 that these updates were installing themselves even when the user (you or me) had automatic updates disabled.
That revelation came from Scott Dunn, an editor at the "Windows Secrets" newsletter.
In fact, after initially thinking the problem was basically benign, Dunn discovered that there are circumstances where you could be stymied in your ability to completely restore Windows XP after using an OS "repair" function.
First of all, just to be clear, the stealth updates in question made changes in files that are part of the Windows Update client on your PC.
The way that would work is . . . . zzzzzzz. (Honestly, this is a pretty complicated discussion so no need to really go into the details unless you're one of those unfortunate enough to plow into this problem head first.)
And who might those folks be? You could have this problem if, after the stealth update, you had a system crash that required you to use the "repair" option on your Windows XP repair CD. This is an option that restores the Windows files on your PC but doesn't require you to reformat the hard drive or reinstall your applications.
But with the stealth updates to Windows Update, there can be problems with different versions of Windows files when you do a repair function.
I'm not going to delve deeply into the ethics of installing software on anyone's PC in stealth mode here either. Microsoft says it has good reasons. I'm not so sure if there's ever a reason good enough to do that, but I'm still thinking about it.
However, if you do end up in the jam I described above, there is help. The company's Microsoft Update blog provides instructions on how to solve the problem if you're of a geeky bent, as well as a link that provides contact info for free tech support for this problem, a company spokesperson said in an e-mail today.
Btw, if you have this problem, or have problems getting the problem solved, I'd like to hear about it.
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Two Machines with Vista, an older Dell and a brand new HP Tablet 1100. Both have the same problems with Vista. If you dare to click too fast you will get the "Not Responding" delay if you are lucky and it will take some time to recover. If you are not lucky it will kill the operating program and you have to start over. This happens constantly with Adobe programs but it also happens with Office 2007 from the wonderful Microsoft. They cannot even get their own programs to run on fantastic Vista. BAH HUMBUG...Give me a system that works....
Walt , Fairfax, Virginia
Have used the Dell XP restore discs several times to wipe and reload OS on PCs at work. Last one we tried, earlier this year, couldn't get that wipe and reload to function properly. Couldn't figure out what went wrong...now I know. Stupid Microsoft.