Just a heads up.
This update to the Windows Update Agent installed itself automatically this morning despite my settings being just to inform.
It also splashed a registry update message in the startup screen before going into the usual updates are being applied message. Nearly gave me a heart attack.
Just some additional info from the Microsoft "Update Service Privacy Statement", section: Required Updates.
SourceIf you turn on the Update Services ... some software components ... will need to be updated from time to time. These updates must be performed before the service can check for, download, or install other updates. Update Services are "turned on" if you choose one of the following settings: (i) install updates automatically, (ii) download updates automatically and choose whether to install them, or (iii) receive notifications about updates and choose whether to download and install them. ... If you turn on the Update Services, regardless of which "turned on" setting you have chosen, required updates to some components of the service will be downloaded and installed automatically without further notice to you. If you would prefer not to receive required updates, turn off the Update Services.
Yet another reason to believe that Microsoft works in strange and mysterious ways!
Just to start a roumour...
Improvements made to version 7.4.7600.226 of the Windows Update Agent
Improved scan times for Windows Updates.
Improved user interface for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 computers running Windows Update.
More visible and detailed description of updates.
Improvements in how users are notified about service packs.
By golly it installed itself on my machine too! Even though I have Updates set to Check, but let me choose whether to download, and install.
Hmmm, What was I doing about this time yesterday??
Me thinks it has to do with the recent concerns about "Flame" malware.
Source: How to obtain the latest version of the Windows Update Agent
If MS can override our choices, I'm glad their on our side...
Maybe I'd better restart my machine, just to be on the "safe" side.
Interestingly it said that it installed it yesterday at my normal check time but since, unusually, I didn't have cause to reboot yesterday it only completed the install when I turned it on this morning.
I always keep my update service turned off. I got into the habit of manually checking for updates twice a day because MSE would update 2-3 times a day but Windows Update wouldn't offer the latest updates for about 24 hours after the fact.
When I checked yesterday morning I had the notification that there was a new Update Agent available along with an optional update for MSE. I allowed both to install and continued working on the computer all day. I did my second manual check in the evening and shut down the computer. That's when I got a notice that the computer needed to be restarted. After it restarted I also got the registry update notice on the boot screen.
I noticed in a VM an hour or so ago - I hadn't realised it was a forced update.
Yes, it's part of the response to the new wave of malware - the KB article gives little detail, but it's hardening the channels of communication between the computer and MS's update servers to ensure resistance to man-in-the-middle attacks, as I understand it.
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