Say no to automatic updates?

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  1. Posts : 2,497
    Windows 7 Pro 64 bit
       #11

    All non-trivial code has bugs. That has been the case from the earliest days of computers and it remains so today. As long as code is written by imperfect humans (all of us) that isn't going to change. Having computers write the code wouldn't help because these computers themselves would have been created by humans and thus contain bugs.

    I understand that NASA has a system in place that reduces software bugs to a very low level, but not eliminate then completely. This is important because a software bug could mean the loss of a multi-billion dollar space craft, plus the lives of the astronauts that man it. I understand that an early unmanned space craft was lost due to a bug in a Fortran program. The problem is that this system is very expensive. NASA can afford it because even with this high cost the software is still only a fraction of the total cost of the space program.

    The cost of implementing such a system would be prohibitive for any company (including Microsoft) selling software to a cost conscious public.

    Like it or not, software bugs are a fact of life. That isn't going to change.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 881
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #12

    isn't that why installing updates creates restore points......
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  3. Posts : 2,465
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #13

    Every program can and will have bugs, after all is done by people, which like everyone has can and will make mistakes, it's normal in the lifecycle of every software. Some bugs are more serious than others, but this one was important enough for MS to recommend uninstalling of the affected update. Besides, in the worst case, it would not trash the machine, but only the Windows install if it becomes that badly damaged, which hasn't been the case, just a BSOD or two.

    I dislike automatic updates, not only of Windows but for everything, but for a different reason. They force me to reboot and wait a long time in moments when I don't expect it, possibly just rebooting in the middle of something without my consent. Introduction of bugs is another concern, but that's mitigated by waiting a few weeks after the update release so, if anything happens, you don't get affected.
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  4. Posts : 548
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
       #14

    It should be noted and understood that buggy updates on Windows are a minority, most updates (read: 99% of them) issued by Microsoft do not cause damage to the updated computers involved. Unless you know what you are doing and/or have a reason to not have automatic updates on, it is usually far more beneficial to have it active and let Windows grab any updates it considers critical.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 10,994
    Win 7 Pro 64-bit
       #15

    weamish said:
    His computer did not have Kaspersky installed.

    There's simply no way that a non-techie would be able to diagnose this. Without help, they'd be forced to do what my friend was about to do - trash the computer and buy another one. Perhaps this is Microsoft's new growth strategy.

    Ironically, a new computer might well have ended up with the same issue after the updates were installed.
    Everyone should get in the habit of creating periodic system images to an external hard drive. To me, it's no different than having a spare tire in my car. "Stuff" happens and having a spare tire or a spare image of the hard drive can get you back on the road in minutes. No need to trash the vehicle . . . or the computer.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 24,479
    Windows 7 Ultimate X64 SP1
       #16

    That's a bit like junking the car when it runs out of gas. People do like to slam MS a lot, not that they don't deserve it from time to time. See Win 8.
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  7. Posts : 19,383
    Windows 10 Pro x64 ; Xubuntu x64
       #17

    weamish said:
    Sorry, but "bugs happen" just shouldn't cut it.
    I agree its unfortunate, but lucky for your friend he had you to turn to.

    Windows 7 has more than 50 million lines of code. Are you saying that its completely inconceivable that an error in one of those lines of code should exist?

    Thankfully, this sort of error is exceptionally rare. Microsoft does take responsibility : they acknowledged the error, and no doubt there will be a fix soon. Its not not all doom and gloom

    Regards,
    Golden
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 415
    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 32-bit; Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (VM).
       #18

    I never run with auto-update turned on, I like to know what is going onto the machine, and I insist on being able to choose when to let it do so.
    Especially with my low monthly data-allowance.

    Wenda.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 2,497
    Windows 7 Pro 64 bit
       #19

    One of the problems that Microsoft faces is that they are maintaining an OS that runs on hardware they did not build and running applications they did not create. In many cases application developers are doing things that were never intended, and in some cases specifically warned not to. Yet, Microsoft goes to considerable lengths to ensure that misbehaving applications do not cause problems. Many of the problems that appear in Windows are not Microsoft's fault.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 12
    Windows 7 Home Premium
    Thread Starter
       #20

    At the very least, the offending update should be auto-uninstalled. The OS is qualitatively different from other software. There's something very wrong if Microsoft can effectively brick a few hundred thousand computers.
      My Computer


 
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