Microsoft updating computers without user permission

I didn't quite know where to place this so if it is moved to a more appropriate forum I will not be disappointed.

http://pcworld.co.nz/pcworld/pcw.nsf/print/0AAF416465BDDCACCC257355007C1ABE

 

Microsoft updates the Windows Update software every time you visit Windows Update, whether you choose to install anything or not. I'd wager thats a large part of the "stealth" update.

Confirmed.

This has been happening for forever, just nobody ever paid attention till now.

 

I didn't want MGA but it eventually simply downloaded itself regardless of my wishes. I was unaware that this was an intentional act until I read it here. I simply thought that maybe I had done something to make it download and install. It seems, however, that this was not the case.

 

Its part of the Windows Update software.

Edit:

Assuming MGA is the Windows Genuine Advantage software.

You get that on your computer if you download from MS directly, too.

 

http://blogs.technet.com/mu/archive/2007/09/13/how-windows-update-keeps-itself-up-to-date.aspx

Straight from the horse's mouth:

 

I still don't know the real issue with this. Issue, being why people are complaining that is.

 

Yes MGA, which I screwed up and should have been WGA, is the Windows Genuine Advantage software.

The settings I have for my updates is to let me know they are available but do not download or install them. There were numerous notifications about WGA but I rejected them.

In fact, I started a thread in these forums on WGA http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=130684 wherein I stated that I had chosen to not install the software.

 

Read what I wrote at the forum thread I referenced: The power to control is the power to deny.

 

Well, I'm assuming that WGA has now been made part of the WU software.

That said...every site reporting this auto update madness is causing artificial panic over the AU software updating when they check Windows Update.

 

What I don't understand, is why point fingers at MS, when others (OS, apps) do the same, and nothing gets said.

Oh well, I'm done.

Though, posting a change log would be nice.

 

It also wouldnt surprise me if it was required to install WGA to install ANY other Windows Updates.

Have you installed any others?

 

Because Microsoft is the big evil 'M'.

Of course, most of the people crying about their rights being violated with WGA and activation is because they are pirating. Ironic, isn't it?

To the original poster--I'm not saying that is the case here, but in most cases, those who have issues with anti-piracy measures are the pirates themselves.

 

Yes, Ironic. Though, I wonder how many people actually read the EULA of their software they purchase. I'd say 1/10th of a percent.

One buys a license for the OS. They don't own it. Two seperate items.

But, yes, this would infect the pirates. Or those, who bought "genuine" copies of windows at highly discounted prices.

 

I agree with u and with Adrynalyne too, only pirates users are complaining about that, like Adrynalyne previously :" Microsoft updates the Windows Update software" , "This has been happening for forever, just nobody ever paid attention till now."
For those who want here is the answer of Microsoft Update Product Team :
http://blogs.technet.com/mu/archive/2007/09/13/how-windows-update-keeps-itself-up-to-date.aspx

 

Hmmm, I refused WGA, and to the best of my knowledge, I still don't have it. Still get other updates though. Could this be a difference between Professional edition and Home?

 

Doubt it. Its likely the original poster downloaded something from MS that prompted its install or accidently installed it in the past.

 

I know in order to have the latest WMP you got to have WGA so that maybe how it happen.

 

It is not a difference between the two OS, it is the updates that are different. I believe that "critical" updates are still installed with or without WGA but as N5638J pointed out, if you want to update some of the features of windows like WMP or IE7 (if you still run XP) than you must have a "Genuine" copy of Windows. You must validate before you can install any new features.

 

the official blurb from Microsoft.

http://www.newsfactor.com/news/Microsoft-Defends-Stealth-Updates/story.xhtml?story_id=100007T8NK8K

 

No offense taken.

I am not pirating but if you look at my concerns in the thread I referenced you will find that I stated that I use freeware. Some of that freeware interacts with the windows software and if MS decided to disallow these third party programs they could easily do it through WGA. Some of those programs were downloaded from this very site.

 

They actually cannot do that. If the applications are legit, if they did that, they would be breaking the law, and you can be damn sure there would be a class action lawsuit springing up overnight.

WGA is for monitoring the downloads of Microsoft applications alone. They cannot legally do what you are suggesting they might try in the future.

Besides, really, Microsoft hasn't been out to screw the consumer (WGA, WPA is a totally legit system), they have been out to bury the competititon. Thats where they get very unfair, and on the grey side of the law.

 

Interesting. Could it be that WGA was forced by the upgrade to WMP 11; A "bundle", as it were?

I also finally allowed the upgrade to IE 7 to see if it works now. Apparently, they have fixed the bugs which prompted me to start THIS THREAD late last year.

I still find IE 7 to be really strange. Anyone ever try an alt-enter? Gives a strange result. Thank goodness it is a toggle and switches back on the next execution.

 

Alt enter does fine for me, exactly what its supposed to do.

 

According to the help files in IE 7 an alt-enter should:

What I get, however is the page displayed opens up at the top and bottom to full screen and the menu bar disappears in "hide" mode just like the taskbar does if you change the properties to "Auto-hide the taskbar". Moving the cursor to the extreme top of the page makes the menu bar "unhide".

The address bar is also abbreviated with the menu bar no longer visible.

The taskbar also disappears and is not viewable even if the cursor is moved to the extreme bottom of the page. Only the status bar remains visible.

 

You aren't doing it correctly.

The idea is that your new link opens in a new tab.

So, normally, you would type in a link, and hit ENTER. It opens in the same tab.

ALT-ENTER makes the new link open in a new tab, without getting rid of the previous tab.

So, type, google.com, and hit ALT-ENTER. It opens in a new tab.

If you dont type anything and hit ALT-ENTER, you get the exact response your described.

 

I have problems with WGA, that is more of an issue with Microsoft's overly zealous labeling of people pirates or them deciding that if I change my machine enough then I have to buy a whole new copy of what ever MS OS that I have. That is a crock of :crap and a violation of Fair Usage laws. And MS constantly flaunts their abuse of Fair Usage laws. There has been several lawsuits on it, too.

 

roflmao

I don't blame people for being a little wary of the patches Microsoft pushes out.
After all, is the notification tool REALLY a critical security update? (as it was once labeled)

It also irks me that they have no problem using up more and more of my time and resources to show that I'm not stealing their products.

Hi? Windows Activation Hotline?
Yes, Windows came preinstalled
Yes, this is the first time I'm activating it
No, this is only installed on one computer
Thanks for the activation key longer than my leg. I'll call back tomorrow when I'm finished typing it in.

 

Or is it really a critical security update requiring a reboot just because Microsoft wanted to remove the swastika from the Chinese character set?

 

Yeah LOL

 

The only problem I have had to date with automatic updates is XP's inability to take no for an answer concerning reboots. There are a lot of circumstances where I don't want it right now, or within 24 hours from now. I do actually run experiments and jobs with custom software now and then. It is a given I will eventually turn off the computer, I should be the one to decide when.