Solved How do I know windows update is functioning well?

[pappi]

In the wake of IE red alert from Homeland Security, I am concerned whether or not my Windows updating system is intact. The last important update installed was on April 8th. Everyday I check for update and all I get without fail is one optional definition update for MSE. (I wonder why MSE is updated everyday).

Is there a way to find out if Windows update is not corrupt and is functioning well?

 

[NoelDP]

Leave it alone to do its job - just check on it every week or so.
MSE like all anti-virus products needs to be kept up-to-date, and there are usually two or three updates released every day for it. By default it will update itself every day - and you can always check for the latest update from the program itself.

 

[pappi]

My last important update was on May 1st. Is this one month long update free span normal?

 

[carwiz]

Microsoft issues general software updates the second Tuesday of each month as well as intermediate updates depending on what software you have on your system. MSE updates are generally issued each day but if you check for MSE updates throughout the day, you'll find smaller groups issued but these will be included in the next daily update.

May 13th was the last general update.
On May 27th, I received an update for C++ 2010 Service Pack 1.

 

[pappi]

I just installed SURT and a hotfix came with it.

Actually, I did get two important updates on May 13th. But I did not get the May 27th update.

 

[carwiz]

The May 27th update was for C++ 2010 x64 only. As I mentioned, it depends on what's installed on your system. In this case, it was for 64-bit versions only.

 

[pappi]

That explains it...I have 32-bit. But I have similar one installed in April:
View attachment 320358

Now I wonder why I have so few of those Visual ++ updates while you have so many.

 

[carwiz]

I probably have more software that uses the different versions.

You probably installed software recently that uses the C++. That's why your Installed On is newer.

 

[pappi]

Actually, I installed visual ++ 2010 update in April from MS download center, not from Windows update.

I forgot exactly why I installed it. I think one 7 forum member wondered why I did not have it. So, I looked it up, found it in download center and installed it. And I am absolutely clueless what this thing is about. I figure if others have it, I should have it, too.

 

[carwiz]

The redistributables are only used if you have software loaded that requires it. And software that requires it will generally load it if it's not already installed. Just loading it by itself is just taking up space.

 

[Emory2]

Auto Updates should be checked to be received at specific time of the day. When I bought my Dell Windows 7 Home Premium the first I did was went to the Update and there were 55 updates waiting for me. Since then all works just fine, remember MS updates are released 2nd Tues of each month.

 

[NoelDP]

The installation is counterfeit.
You have an ACER Product Key on a Hewlett-Packard machine - with an ACER SLIC table supposedly in the BIOS.
The activation has been enabled by use of a hacker's Activation Exploit.

You need to reformat and reinstall using genuine media and Key - for what version and edition of Windows is your machine licensed, according to the COA sticker on the case??

 

[pappi]

Oh no....I have always sensed there was something not kosher with this laptop when I purchased it 6 months ago from ebay as a used unit refurbished by seller... with bigger HD replacement(to 500GB) and OS upgraded from Vista to W7 Pro. But I did not suspect counterfeit installation from ACER to HP because when I was installing software, it passed genuine Microsoft product rating.

I probably will just use it as such since it seems to be working well. If and when I run into technical problems consequent to the counterfeit installation, I would then replace OS with W7 Ultimate 64 bits which actually is what I prefer. Can this be done online or should I go by disc route?

(I had to delete previous message because Windows Genuine and Activation Issue Posting Instructions result just did not fit reply window making reply posting and editing not feasible).

 

[NoelDP]

(If you put it in a Code box, the long lines scroll off the page happily)

When (not if) you get problems, then your best option is a reformat/reinstall using genuine media and Key - which avoids any changes of hangovers of malware that may have been installed by the Exploit.

 

[pappi]

"Microsoft issues general software updates the second Tuesday of each month as well as intermediate updates depending on what software you have on your system."

I did not receive any important update on the second Tuesday of this month. Only one security definition update.

Did anyone receive update?

 

[NoelDP]

Did you do a manual Check for Updates? (after midday Seattle time?)

 

[pappi]

I manually check update daily. I did not get notification of available updates until today, Wednesday...a day late, for 7 important and two recommended updates and the usual daily always available definition update for MSE.

So...I change setting to recommended Automatic.

 

[carwiz]

I don't particularly like Automatic. It can load things you may not like; For instance, Bing Desktop, hardware drivers that aren't for your motherboard release (or dated), turning on IME and so on. I prefer to set it to Notify and verify each update. You can choose to hide updates to individual items but if there's a release update, that "sneaks" through. I check for updates every late afternoon. It's ritual. It's worked for me.

 

[pappi]

I agree 100%.

So...I change setting back to download but let me choose installation.

 

[carwiz]

I don't bother to download them until I see what's there. That's why I set it to notify only. When you check or select any Optional updates (Important and Critical will be checked already) they'll be downloaded and installed then.

It's really easy to check. Right click the little flag in the lower right corner then click on Open Windows Update. Notices will be there. If there aren't any, click on Check for Updates in the left pane of that screen. When you force a check, Windows will automatically check again about 24 hours later. So if you check in the morning, Windows will check again the next morning, etc.