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Rant

Automatic Updates?

Aug 15, 2012 1:24AM PDT

It seems Bill Gates and I have different views on the meaning of the word 'automatic'. I envisage automatic updates as follows:

Imagine a house within which is a computer running windows XP. Nobody enters this house for several years. Eventually somebody comes in and inspects the computer and finds that all essential updates for the last few years have been installed.

Bill Gates' version is this:

Unless a member of the administrators group pops by from time to time, logs in and installs all necessary updates, re-starting the machine if necessary, no updates will be installed.

If I'm wrong about this, or there is some available fix, please somebody let me know.

Discussion is locked

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Sorry but why do you bring in Bill on this one?
Aug 15, 2012 1:50AM PDT

It can derail the discussion and more.

XP's support has passed so folk that run it have to endure what was considered fine over a decade ago. I find new to PC folk upset that all this is still the same as it was over 10 years ago.

No fix is planned so you do what you did 10 years ago.

Hope this clears that up for you.

In parting can you tell the forum if you lived through DOS and Windows 3.1? It was much worse.
Bob

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Actually it is YOU who ...
Aug 15, 2012 6:53AM PDT

causes Windows updates to function as you complain it does. Here is what Microsoft says on the issue and I know it is true.

"To help protect your computer, use the Automatic (recommended) setting, which checks for new updates and automatically downloads and installs them—regardless of whether you or other users are administrators for your computer.

Only users with administrator privileges may add or remove programs, including Windows updates. If you are not an administrator for your computer, you need to contact someone who is so they can change your Automatic Updates settings to the recommended setting.

It is strongly recommended that you log out of the computer administrator account when you are not performing tasks that require administrator privileges. If you are logged on as an administrator when your computer is the target of a virus or malicious user, the attack can cause extensive damage. For example, it might be able to reformat your hard drive, delete all your files, or create a new administrator account so the attacker can take over your computer. For more information about user accounts and why you should not run your computer as an administrator, see Help and Support."


Make that rather simple change and updates get installed even if someone using the Guest account is logged on.

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"Actually it is you who..."
Aug 17, 2012 10:27AM PDT

I'm actually piggy-backing on the inquiry. Sorry if this is out of line. In particular, I'm interested in
the statement, "Only users with administrator privileges may add or remove programs, including Windows updates..".
My laptop, using Windows XP Pro, Media Edition,, is loaded with Microsoft "updates" dating back to 2006. I suspect
all of these may be contributing to slowing down my laptop boot-up, etc. Being still "novice class", I'm wondering if
it's necessary to retain all these updates. Some are merely "knowledge" files, others are "language" additions, etc.
The majority are vintage "security" updates.
Your advice and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
"PeteE

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What that means is that ...
Aug 17, 2012 10:52AM PDT

someone with an Administrator account on the computer must set the Automatic Updates to the "use the Automatic (recommended) setting" as a non-admin account cannot make that change.

On your computer in the Windows directory (folder) you will notice a lot of Directories (folders) with names like $NtUninstallKB824146$ and usually they are compressed and blue in color. Each one is one of the many updates or patches you have installed and yes, they do take up some room.

The nice thing is that they are there so that if you experience problems after applying a Windows update you can UNINSTALL the update. If you are not having problems associated with the updates (and the problems show up immediately after installing the update) you can DELETE those directories without any problems.

Having said that, there is ONE DIRECTORY titled $hf_mig$ (usually not compressed and not in blue) that you do not want to delete. It can be opened and its sub-directories selectively deleted but if you do not know EXACTLY what you are doing it is best just left alone.

Hopefully this answers your question regarding the updates taking up so much room. and what you can do about recovering that disk storage space.

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What tha means is that...
Aug 19, 2012 5:30AM PDT

Hi Edward, Thank you very much for your prompt, comprehensive reply. It is of considerable help in
explaining about all the updates sitting in my hard drive. I will print out your info and retain it for future
reference and use.
Enjoy the rest of the summer.
Sincerely Pete Edman