Stealth Windows Update Breaks XP Repair Function

[GhostShip]

This seemed an important piece of news to me.

http://www.windowssecrets.com/2007/09/27/03-Stealth-Windows-update-prevents-XP-repair

A silent update that Microsoft deployed widely in July and August is preventing the "repair" feature of Windows XP from completing successfully.

Accounts of conflicts with XP's repair option came to our attention after Microsoft's "silent install" of Windows Update (WU) executable files, known as version 7.0.600.381, was reported in the Sept. 13 and 20 issues of the Windows Secrets Newsletter.

After using the repair option from an XP CD-ROM, Windows Update now downloads and installs the new 7.0.600.381 executable files. Some WU executables aren't registered with the operating system, preventing Windows Update from working as intended. This, in turn, prevents Microsoft's 80 latest patches from installing — even if the patches successfully downloaded to the PC.

It staggers belief that a large company like Microsoft cannot hire or utilise their existing staff to check a few basics before deploying these types of intrusive updates, many are not happy their system security was breached in this way and who can blame them.

[Zénar]

My windows update is always disabled and I never had any problems. Before, when I updated my windows, more problems came etc...

I'm sure they are not fixing completly the bugs but creating new ones... lol

I'm not trusting their updates anyways.

[White Stripes]

why does noone seem to have windows updates set to 'download it but let me install it manually' ??

[DragonRider]

Here's the fix:

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=943144

[Max™]

to be honest, i did an update when i formatted & reloaded xp sp2,
that was last year, the 1st time i updated since i had this pc, only because of formatting.

99% of the updates are security updates for IE6 or IE7 (i dont use it, Firefox is more secure)
1 critical update i see, all it was, a different coloured button to go on media player ( dont use that either)

i wouldnt put it past microsoft to deliberately stelth a hidden update, because after all, as from Jan 2008 you wont be able to buy or register a genuine copy of XP, they are too concerned with forcing Vista apon us.

i have spoke to a few people and we all say the same, if push comes to it, we learm linux, after all, its far more secure & free.

[Cobra]

Just another reason to keep WU turned off as I always have.

[chuck]

This is a small program ive been useing may help  people keep up with changes.

Tiny Watcher

The way Tiny Watcher works is pretty simple: basically, it starts by taking a snapshot of important parts of your Windows system; then it tracks changes (every time you log in, or whenever you want to). When a change is detected, you are notified.

Tiny Watcher has been designed to work discreetly. You will barely notice it at logon time: the about box shows for less than 5 seconds, and a progression gauge displays briefly.
It is small,It is configurable,It is free,Detects changes afterward: It will not prevent your system from being modified or corrupted. It will only tell you that something suspicious happened. Think of it as an early CAT scan against system tumors.

# No automatic cleanup feature: There is no "Fix that for me" button or other magic feature. You have to search the Web by yourself for specific information about a problem, and then do your own cleanup.
# Not a novice tool: Tiny Watcher does not tell you when a change is "normal". If you understand little about how a computer works, Tiny Watcher is probably not good for you. Messages will probably make you worry for nothing.

http://www.donationcoders.com/kubicle/watcher/