Solved Malicious Software Removal Tool Update KB890830

[feetand nches]

I'm trying to understand this November 2017 Malicious Software Removal Tool Update. It was in Important Updates but the Install Box was not Checked. It seems from THIS link that it's only function is to Run the Malicious Software Removal Tool, OR, is it also the Definition Update? And, do I need it at all when I already run Avast and MBAM? Is this why it is not checked, because they assume most are running Third Party AV/AM? I can't believe I don't know about this tool very well.

I now see that it is the same KB Number every month, and has installed before somehow without my Checking it, is that possible? Honestly, I could have checked it a few times, but it is showing that it has installed every month as expected.

Is it because I have "Give me Updates for Microsoft Products and check for new Optional Microsoft software when I update windows" Checked in Update Settings.

Thanks 7 lovers!

 

[Ranger4]

Yes, you should install it. It will run in the background afterwards. MSRT usually comes out once a month. I always check to see if Updates are ticked & if not ticked I tick them.

Running other AV software should not affect MSRT.

 

[feetand nches]

Thanks Ranger4 I will go ahead and run it today! But, is it really worth running if other scans are being done? And the download time and resources it takes if one is wanting to do other work?

 

[Ranger4]

The download time is not very long really & there are usually other Updates to install as well.

You certainly can't have to many scans that look for malicious software, so using it as well as your existing AV will ensure additional protection,

 

[feetand nches]

I will do just that Ranger4, because you have much more experience than I, and I certainly don't want an infection on my Main Machine!

Thanks, Nasty7

 

[Ranger4]

Running MSRT wont guarantee you wont get an infection but is worth having in the armoury to fight it.

 

[Seffrid]

I'd caution very strongly against immediately installing this month's MSRT.

First, it's bad practice in my view to check and install updates that MS have unchecked. They do that for a reason, typically because problems have been encountered that may lead them to hot-fix or withdraw the update and meanwhile they don't want it automatically installed by the unwary.

Second, there have indeed been problems already reported with this particular update:-

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Third, there are so many potential pitfalls with any and all of MS's updates these days that there is no merit whatsoever in installing anything less than a critical update against a zero-day problem (that is, an exploit or other form of malware that is already active in the public domain as opposed to a vulnerability that is merely theoretical but not yet seen in the real world) until several days at least have elapsed during which time any problems with the updates will have been reported and those updates either hot-fixed or withdrawn. Some wait until the weekend after Patch Tuesday, personally I wait until around the end of the month and then follow the recommendations of various technical sites (including this one).

In any event, my understanding of the MSRT is that it plays no part in preventing future infections but merely finds certain of the more prominent infections if you already have them. If you are already adequately protected then while it adds an additional element to your protection it won't find anything that shouldn't already have been picked up by your other anti-virus/malware software. Like all of MS's updates, however, we are fast approaching the point with this particular update where the risk of it damaging your computer may outweigh the risks from not installing it! In short, most users experience more "malware" from MS than from any other source!

So feel free to install the MSRT immediately, and please let us know how you get on, but my advice is to wait a little, not only as there have already been problems reported with it, but also because it will have been unchecked for a reason, and it is in any event not recommended that you check and install unchecked updates - without at least looking into them and establishing why they are unchecked and whether they are strictly necessary.

All of the above relates to Important Updates. It is rare for them to be unchecked, and that fact alone should raise suspicions whenever it happens. Optional Updates, on the other hand, will generally - subject to your settings - be unchecked and should definitely never be installed unless you have a very clear reason to do so. In particular, third party updates such as graphics drivers should only ever be installed if you need them from the manufacturer's website and not through Windows Updates. I also include MSE updates in that and only ever run them from MSE and not through Windows Updates.

 

[feetand nches]

Seffrid, that sounds like very sound advice and that is why I came here and asked, so thank you very much. I did Install it and will report back if anything bad happens.

 

[mjf]

I saw that the MSRT was not ticked in the list of Important updates so I've just left it for now.

 

[Layback Bear]

I always install and run a scan with MSRT. I run it manually and full scan.
When MSRT is installed it does not stop infection, it just looks for them on your system and will remove them if found.

Here is a good read.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/890830/remove-specific-prevalent-malware-with-windows-malicious-software-remo

Jack

 

[feetand nches]

I'd caution very strongly against immediately installing this month's MSRT.

First, it's bad practice in my view to check and install updates that MS have unchecked. They do that for a reason, typically because problems have been encountered that may lead them to hot-fix or withdraw the update and meanwhile they don't want it automatically installed by the unwary.

That was a great find Seffrid, I will always follow this way in the future. Very happy that it is not causing problems atm. I wonder if they fixed it, and I wonder what the difference between this one and all this others at this link, is it just the Date That Separates them?
Microsoft Update Catalog

I wonder if you, or any other Seven Guru's would advise Uninstalling this?

It looks like the problem may raise it's head when I do Updates?

Thank for all the support guys.

 

[feetand nches]

Layback Bear, did you also install this KB890830, and if so did you have any issues?

I still have not had an issue, but run many windows 7 machines, so would like to hear all others experiences before I install it on all machines! I did more reading on it, and unfortunately have found no real goo evidence that it has affected anyone in the US negatively. The one thing that worries me, is that it is now Unchecked, and one person reported that is was checked at one point. So hopefully it was something to do with only a few machines!

Thanks, Nasty 7

 

[Layback Bear]

Hi Nasty7.

I do not have KB890830 installed on either computer today.
I do install 'MSRT' every month and use it manually.

It's nothing but another free layer of security scanning.
A full scan does take some time.
MSRT is a option and has never been check until I do so.
All my updates from any program are done manually.
Check your Windows 7 Update setting on the questioned computer. They may be different from your other computers.

Jack

 

[feetand nches]

Hi Nasty7.
Check your Windows 7 Update setting on the questioned computer. They may be different from your other computers.

Jack

Ahhh, I think you have hit the Nail On The Head! Having Brain Fog at the moment lol, but I have Recommended Update Un-Checked, and to check for Updates but to let me download and install. I'll just hold off for now on installing it, then if no problems on main machine will install and run. Maybe it would have been checked if Recommended Updates were Checked?

Thanks!

 

[Layback Bear]

Your very welcome.
Keep us informed.

Jack

 

[urbanspaceman1]

Yesterday I found 'Trusted Installer' using a big chunk of my processor, despite my having the Update option set to 'inform and let me decide'.
I was looking at my update settings and down at the bottom of the page I saw (never noticed it before so I don't know how long its been around) a note that said: "Windows Update might update itself automatically first when checking for other updates."
Now my inclination is to turn off the Updates altogether; I don't like unsolicited interference - especially from MS; although I don't know if even that will stop it.
I'm running MBAM top software and Hitman Pro Alert.
Any comments anyone?
ps
I tagged onto this thread as it seems pertinent; if I did wrong, my apologies.

 

[Seffrid]

Yesterday I found 'Trusted Installer' using a big chunk of my processor, despite my having the Update option set to 'inform and let me decide'.
I was looking at my update settings and down at the bottom of the page I saw (never noticed it before so I don't know how long its been around) a note that said: "Windows Update might update itself automatically first when checking for other updates."
Now my inclination is to turn off the Updates altogether; I don't like unsolicited interference - especially from MS; although I don't know if even that will stop it.
I'm running MBAM top software and Hitman Pro Alert.
Any comments anyone?
ps
I tagged onto this thread as it seems pertinent; if I did wrong, my apologies.

This is actually nothing to do with this topic, so you might want to start a new one. However, what you seem to be referring to is the fact that the Windows Update service might update itself first when checking for other updates, but so long as your settings remain on "notify but let me decide when to download and install" then you shouldn't get any other updates automatically beyond any update to the updating application itself. Note, however, that if you set Windows Updates to "notify and download but let me choose when to install" then WU has a tendency once an update has been downloaded to install it regardless.

Disabling Windows Updates altogether is fine so long as you remember each month to set it to "Notify but let me decide when to download and install" - preferably a week or more after Patch Tuesday (the second Tuesday in each month) by which time any problems should be apparent - so as not to miss essential updates altogether.

 

[urbanspaceman1]

re posted

I've started a new thread. Cheers, KF.

 

[feetand nches]

Having problems now, and don't really know how to fix it. The weird thing is, KB890830 is not installed even after I installed it.

Now, I cannot Update, and File Explorer seems to crash from time to time, otherwise all else seems to be working.

I will run sfc and see what happens.

 

[feetand nches]

I looked through the Link that Seffrid showed us and will apply these directions. Though I decided to start SURT, so will let that finish and see if it fixes it, then will move to these directions.

Addendum: A solution

Leon provided me with a fix: Just delete the mrt file in Windows\system32\mrt. The launch Windows Update and hide the April 2016 MRT update. Afterward, restart Windows Update search 3 times again, the updates KB890830 for January, February and March are offered. Let em install – so mrt will work in those older versions.

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