Once and for all...'Important/Critical' updates ?

Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

  1. Posts : 13
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
       #1

    Once and for all...'Important/Critical' updates ?


    [This topic could fit in a few places, but HERE is probably the broadest coverage]

    I am a dedicated Windows 7 user. (1) I own four WIN7 PC's and one WIN7 LT, (2) I'm...shall we say...'well seasoned', and it is entirely possible my computer OS's will last longer then MY OS! Further, on a one month test of WIN10, I found it to have stuff neither myself or Mrs.Gizmo will ever use.

    I have all these rigs set up to use OPERA 34 [present stable version], and do not use I.E. for anything. Also, I operate all of them using Sandboxie 5.06, for security. My residence is entirely Ethernet [no wireless access], and when any of my Kids, or someone looking for my computer help, come here, I cascade one of my spare routers so We and Them are on different home networks.

    Since my version of Microsoft Office is a little 'old' [2003], it will no longer run in my sandbox, so if we get any E-Mail with attachments, those are taken out of the E-Mail [POP3], and forced to run IN the sandbox, at least once before general opening.

    I **think** we run about as secure as a home outfit can.

    The last time I installed a Hard Drive it involved 176 uSoft Updates! And WIN7 will continue to be patched until January 2020!

    I find myself asking **WHY** bother ? Our installed software, drivers, etc all operate perfectly. How can anything get TO us ? I've been running Sandboxie for over six (6) years now, and not a thing has ever gotten out of the 'box...that wasn't invited out. Everybody I ever ask about it assures me that I very much NEED to keep my WIN7 machines Microsoft Up to Date...but when pressed, they never really know why. FOR US, I am thinking I have wasted my last 'time' worshiping at the alter of Patch Tuesday!

    WHAT.........does anybody here, on this forum **KNOW** to make me change my mind and rejoin the herd?

    Thanks for your patience; I don't know how to be complete and be any shorter in my quirey....

    Giz
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 33
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #2

    is any computer really safe? is windows ever 100% safe and secure? how many updates have been issued for its various operating systems since i purchased xp home sp1a retail more moons ago than i can remember? and who are you trying to keep your pc safe from? the spoilsports ratbags and shysters out to nick your money, or m/s now spying on you at every opportunity and then flogging that data? dont forget, m/s make windows and they are(going by all accounts) using every nefarious trick to infect and steal your data?

    whatever you do, some scuzzbucket will find a workaround to a latest update to get into your pc. m/s will keep forcing you to update, bearing in mind those updates will also try to steal your data. you willl be damned if you dont and screwed if you do update.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 501
    Windows 7 x64 SP1
       #3

    To reiterate again something I've said before: There is a way to run Windows 7 safely, forever. Keep it off-line. Use a Linux computer online. Basically what I do, although I continue to update all three of my W7 machines, but only security and office updates. And I run the utility from Ultimate Outsider to keep W10 updates off them. I only need W7 for one thing at this point in my life: my music software won't run on Linux. Someday, even that problem will be solved, and I will leave the world of Windows forever. I will have to convert Mrs. D to Linux also, but that's going to take some doing. Fortunately, I have until 2020 to do it.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 13
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Microsoft never forces me to d/l and install ANY update. My question is 'why should I?' when every file, good or malware, that comes to my browser stays in the sandbox until I close the browser, when it is then deleted. I keep no files in my sandbox, and none that could be there while the browser is open is allow to execute without my specific permission.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 13
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Thank you Folks for your input. Nobody knows everything, and the idea of running your chosen browser in a Virtual Machine...even one as 'consumer oriented' as Sandboxie...is not well experienced, I guess.

    Looks like my last Forum attempt is really no more productive than the others were, and the only way to see what happens is to reformat this HardDrive...no uSoft updates, and SEE WHAT HAPPENS !

    Giz...your local 'tester'
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 152
    W7Pro/64
       #6

    I have seen a couple of posts from users who have turned off windows updates. Too bad none of them caught your post and replied to you. If you stay with W7 without any more updates (and including past 2020), just hope that your sandbox vendor keeps supporting W7 past that date too. That would be a possible 'why not' if they dropped support.

    The most significant 'why not' is the zero day that beats your sandbox. It gets through and hits a critical windows function that had a known vulnerability - like a cruise missile honing in on its target. An inconvenience possibly if you can restore and then locate the patch you need to continue safely. I think finding the right patch would be quite a task.

    Good luck Gizmo.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 33
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #7

    i have done 2 lots of 7 updates in the last 12 months. lot 1 at W7 end of life, march i believe, lot 2 just before crimble. both using mbsa in offline mode. lot 1, produced a stable installation. lot 2, there are so many relating to w10(which many say avoid), and there is the spyware issue of many new updates, again to avoid. i have looked at my options, my needs, and i have said sod it, lot 1 is good enough for me. at end of life, i read that only security(mwahahahaha) updates will now be published and occasional updates to fix specific problems. for an offline media player/audio editor, lot 1 is stable, and nutella n co can sit and rotate themselves on my extended middle finger annd windows update service is always disabled, except if i need to install a specific update then my internet connection is unplugged
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 13
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Thanks, Painter. Yes, I'd have liked to hear from those with experience on the subject. I might point out to you [maybe others], Invincea bought Sandboxie from it's Israeli author, who designed it. S/B is an installed program which 'clones' program files from the installed C Drive folder(s) themselves to the sandbox folder, where the forced program, ANY forced program, in clone form, operates. This is not a 'plug' for S/B, just an explanation for why I don't fear 'zero day' stuff. My Son-in-Law professionally uses a far more complicated and 'vendor regulated' V/M, but I don't know a thing about it or any of the others.

    We shall see... T'anks Ag'in
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 200
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64 SP1
       #9

    michael diemer said:
    To reiterate again something I've said before: There is a way to run Windows 7 safely, forever. Keep it off-line. Use a Linux computer online. Basically what I do, although I continue to update all three of my W7 machines, but only security and office updates. And I run the utility from Ultimate Outsider to keep W10 updates off them. I only need W7 for one thing at this point in my life: my music software won't run on Linux. ...
    How do you update your music software (DAW, vst's, plugins etc)???
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 35
    Windows 7 Professional x64
       #10

    gizmo78 said:
    Thanks, Painter. Yes, I'd have liked to hear from those with experience on the subject. I might point out to you [maybe others], Invincea bought Sandboxie from it's Israeli author, who designed it. S/B is an installed program which 'clones' program files from the installed C Drive folder(s) themselves to the sandbox folder, where the forced program, ANY forced program, in clone form, operates. This is not a 'plug' for S/B, just an explanation for why I don't fear 'zero day' stuff. My Son-in-Law professionally uses a far more complicated and 'vendor regulated' V/M, but I don't know a thing about it or any of the others.

    We shall see... T'anks Ag'in
    Gizmo, you do sound quite paranoid no offense.

    The Windows Updates that are released do release updates for drivers occasionally aside from said "Security" updates, which are essential to your computers at home. Additionally, there are bits and pieces of malware that can bypass sandboxie and are self-aware using Ring 0 exploits. The best set up is a set up using VMWare and Virtualize the entire OS and run your emails and what not inside there, rather than using the host machine - and bridging the network connection. There shall be no Linux talk since this is a Windows forum, once you suggest Linux, you're practically off topic.

    Windows Security updates are essential to avoid random system issues via hotfixes released, updates to Windows OS software itself, Office software, and various other discovered security holes.

    So yes, you do need Windows Updates to install.

    However, there are unnecessary updates including telemetry updates.

    Visit this website to tell you about which ones to remove via a batch script:

    Stop Windows Telemetry/Tracking/Upgrading to Win10 « alaya:techne
      My Computer


 
Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:42.
Find Us