Microsoft is playing dirty pool

[GRoston]

All,

Just a warning regarding the GWX ConfigManager. IMO, this is malware that serves no useful purpose. I removed it from my machines after mistakenly installing it without first having understood it purpose. After uninstalling, I specifically told Windows Update to hide the update (KB3035583).

Guess what - that doesn't work. On all of my machines, this update has reappeared, as an important download.

This is dirty pool. If I don't want something on my machine, MS has no right to force it down my throat, especially when the program in question is nothing more than malware.

 

[AddRAM]

So hide it again, and it should never come back.

 

[GRoston]

Been there, done that...

 

[AddRAM]

Did it come back as a different numbered update, because I just checked and that number you gave is still hidden.

My list of hidden.

KB2876229 SKYPE

KB2923545
KB2970228
KB2977728
KB2978092
KB2994023
KB3022345
KB3035583
KB2990214
KB3021917
KB2952664

Just ran windows update, no updates to install right now.

Just ran SFC came up 100% perfect

 

[Alejandro85]

Make sure Windows update is configured to never download anything automatically, much less to install anything on its own. That's the only safe option. Notify but don't download at the extreme if you're paranoid about the unneeded updates. Anything more automatic exposes you to this and other kinds of problems with the typical broken updates.

To be extra sure, disable the Windows Update service in control panel. For complete peace of mind, firewall it off the network (surprisingly, Windows Firewall can protect you against the built-in MS spyware).

 

[AddRAM]

Yep it should be like this. I`m the only user on my PC, that`s why that one is checked.

 

[lehnerus2000]

Make sure Windows update is configured to never download anything automatically, much less to install anything on its own. That's the only safe option. Notify but don't download at the extreme if you're paranoid about the unneeded updates. Anything more automatic exposes you to this and other kinds of problems with the typical broken updates.

There is some talk that MS will remove that ability in W10.
There will be a blocking/delay system for the Enterprise version (and possibly the Pro version).

People are even justifying it by saying, the only reason there are update problems is because users with issues, haven't installed every update that MS has released.

 

[AddRAM]

I could care less if MS made updates automatic, as long as it didn`t mess up your machine.

I know there may be some out there that could care less about a perfect SFC, but I am not one of them.

Windows update was just fine until the day they came out with the update to upgrade your machine to the TP

 

[Callender]

Re: Screenshot in Post #6 - this is what I see:

​

On another note:

Removed those Windows 10 upgrade updates using Powershell and hid them. KB2990214 did indeed re-appear. Have reset Windows Updates, WU History and WU Temp Files. A check for updates only shows KB3035583,KB3021917,KB2990214,KB2952664 are missing and I've hidden them and they have not been offered again so far. Last check around an hour ago.

Edit:

Re: SFC. I don't use it or trust it. If I've got a system file that needs replacing I'll replace it myself. If SFC is allowed to run it messes up too many customizations!

 

[AddRAM]

But how would you know if you have a bad system file unless you run sfc ?

I have KB2990214 and KB KB3021917 installed, they seem to cause no issues, unless they are one of the Windows 10 nag me updates.

Found the 1st.

KB2990214 - Microsoft Support
support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2990214
Microsoft Corporation
Describes an update that enables you to upgrade your computer from Windows 7 to a later version of Windows.

And the 2nd.

KB3021917
This update performs diagnostics in Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) in order to determine whether performance issues may be encountered when the latest Windows operating system is installed. Telemetry is sent back to Microsoft for those computers that participate in the Windows Customer Experience Improvement Program (CEIP). This update will help Microsoft and its partners deliver better system performance for customers who are seeking to install the latest Windows operating system.

 

[lehnerus2000]

I could care less if MS made updates automatic, as long as it didn`t mess up your machine.

What are the chances of that?

I've noticed that a lot of PC enthusiasts avoid automatic OS updates (I've always used the "Notify" option).

We're lucky, because as users of a pre-W10 version of Windows, we can control what happens on our PC
At least it seems that way ... mostly ... some of the time.

Some versions of W10 might not have the ability to control updates.
Those users will be completely at the mercy of the MS "Patch Division".

 

[Callender]

Avoiding SFC

But how would you know if you have a bad system file unless you run sfc ?

Well I don't avoid SFC entirely so perhaps I'd better explain. If I want to check I'll use the verify only option. The other thing is that if I ever get an error message about missing or corrupt files I'll replace them myself. I certainly don't allow SFC to carry out repairs.

I have KB2990214 and KB KB3021917 installed, they seem to cause no issues, unless they are one of the Windows 10 nag me updates.

Found the 1st.

KB2990214 - Microsoft Support
support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2990214
Microsoft Corporation
Describes an update that enables you to upgrade your computer from Windows 7 to a later version of Windows.

I prefer to install the update(s) as and when I wish to upgrade.

And the 2nd.

KB3021917
This update performs diagnostics in Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) in order to determine whether performance issues may be encountered when the latest Windows operating system is installed. Telemetry is sent back to Microsoft for those computers that participate in the Windows Customer Experience Improvement Program (CEIP). This update will help Microsoft and its partners deliver better system performance for customers who are seeking to install the latest Windows operating system.

Personally I leave Windows Customer Experience Improvement Program (CEIP) off. I don't like that my security software is telling me that GWX ConfigManager wants to connect to the internet so I'll keep it off my machine until I actually need it!

That's just my own preference.

 

[AddRAM]

I uninstalled those last 2, added em to the list, I have no intention of changing (not gonna use the word upgrade) this box to 10.

 

[4wd]

^^^

have no intention of changing (not gonna use the word upgrade) this box to 10.

Ditto. Ditched all these kb's, will maybe look into it at end of w7 support 14. january 2020, if this laptop (or me) is still alive :O)

 

[NoN]

Did it come back as a different numbered update, because I just checked and that number you gave is still hidden.

My list of hidden.

KB2876229 SKYPE

KB2647753
KB2732487
KB2923545
KB2970228
KB2977728
KB2978092
KB2994023
KB3022345
KB3035583
KB2990214
KB3021917

Just ran windows update, no updates to install right now.

Just ran SFC came up 100% perfect

Thanks for sharing your list and i might check some for myself of those article IDs you listed, my actual is

KB3022345
KB3035583
KB2990214
KB3021917
KB2952664

There wasn't the last one in your list....

 

[Callender]

Re: KB2990214

Did it come back as a different numbered update, because I just checked and that number you gave is still hidden.

My list of hidden.

KB2876229 SKYPE

KB2647753
KB2732487
KB2923545
KB2970228
KB2977728
KB2978092
KB2994023
KB3022345
KB3035583
KB2990214
KB3021917

Just ran windows update, no updates to install right now.

Just ran SFC came up 100% perfect

Thanks for sharing your list and i might check some for myself of those article IDs you listed, my actual is

KB3022345
KB3035583
KB2990214
KB3021917
KB2952664

There wasn't the last one in your list....

Re: KB2990214.

Information suggests that it should be installed and that you can't skip it.

See the post here:

Installing KB2990214 also installs the latest Windows Update Agent.

For now - I'm keeping it off my machine. If you want to check which version of Windows Update Agent is installed you can right click on this file and check the version.

C:\Windows\System32\wuaueng.dll

Mine reads 7.6.7600.230 (not the latest version)

Should have read 7.6.7600.320

 

[NoN]

Did it come back as a different numbered update, because I just checked and that number you gave is still hidden.

My list of hidden.

KB2876229 SKYPE

KB2647753
KB2732487
KB2923545
KB2970228
KB2977728
KB2978092
KB2994023
KB3022345
KB3035583
KB2990214
KB3021917

Just ran windows update, no updates to install right now.

Just ran SFC came up 100% perfect

Thanks for sharing your list and i might check some for myself of those article IDs you listed, my actual is

KB3022345
KB3035583
KB2990214
KB3021917
KB2952664

There wasn't the last one in your list....

Re: KB2990214.

Information suggests that it should be installed and that you can't skip it.

See the post here:

Installing KB2990214 also installs the latest Windows Update Agent.

For now - I'm keeping it off my machine. If you want to check which version of Windows Update Agent is installed you can right click on this file and check the version.

C:\Windows\System32\wuaueng.dll

Mine reads 7.6.7600.230 (not the latest version)

Thanks Callender,

I was first talking about KB2952664 but having read your post too about KB2990214.

I do not have any issue with Windows Update Agent (svchost.exe netsvcs) because i have skipped/hidden the update before it got installed, so its like my machine just have the regular WU Agent.

If stand alone does exit at some point i'll use it. If not, i'll be considering install that KB2990214.

 

[NoelDP]

For now - I'm keeping it off my machine. If you want to check which version of Windows Update Agent is installed you can right click on this file and check the version.

C:\Windows\System32\wuaueng.dll

Mine reads 7.6.7600.230 (not the latest version)

I can guarantee that it doesn't read that!
the actual version number is 7.6.7600.320
... unless you have some strange version of Windows installed.

 

[Callender]

Windows Update Agent - version

For now - I'm keeping it off my machine. If you want to check which version of Windows Update Agent is installed you can right click on this file and check the version.

C:\Windows\System32\wuaueng.dll

Mine reads 7.6.7600.230 (not the latest version)

I can guarantee that it doesn't read that!
the actual version number is 7.6.7600.320
... unless you have some strange version of Windows installed.

Just checked and of course you are %100 correct Noel! Maybe I need an eye test....

 

[AddRAM]

This is what it says for Update KB2952664

So, it`s not getting installed, I`ll add it to the list.

This update helps Microsoft make improvements to the current operating system in order to ease the upgrade experience to the latest version of Windows.