New Windows Update wrinkle

  • Thread starter Thread starter billurie
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billurie

In the past, periodically, I have responded to Microsoft's
advice that updates were available, and, except in the
instance where a VIA update ruined the audio connections
of MSN Messenger and had to be undone and avoided, I have
always trusted Microsoft on these updates.

Windows Update has now added a new wrinkle: In order to use
Windows Update, it wants me to do a "Validation" process.
Obviously Microsoft has been satisfied with my Product ID
or whatever it is that it wants, for years, but I know
from experience that strange and undesirable things can
happen with the validation process, and I'm afraid to
expose myself to that. My system ain't broke jest as it is.

I think I'm between a rock and a hard place on this, and
while I understand Microsoft's paranoia about piracy,
I'm inclined to freeze my system as it is now, rather
than engage in a Validation process again. I look forward
to some constructive advice from the MVPs.
 
Lock your system the way it is. You will still get critical updates
automatically, as long as you have the function turned on. You will not be
able to obtain optional updates without submitting to MS and their new ways.

And for the few that read this and object, yes - I know - there are ways
around this, but I will not disseminate those measures.

--
Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User

Quote from: George Ankner
"If you knew as much as you thought you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!"
 
In
Windows Update has now added a new wrinkle: In order to use
Windows Update, it wants me to do a "Validation" process.
Obviously Microsoft has been satisfied with my Product ID
or whatever it is that it wants, for years, but I know
from experience that strange and undesirable things can
happen with the validation process, and I'm afraid to
expose myself to that. My system ain't broke jest as it is.

I think I'm between a rock and a hard place on this, and
while I understand Microsoft's paranoia about piracy,
I'm inclined to freeze my system as it is now, rather
than engage in a Validation process again. I look forward
to some constructive advice from the MVPs.
Click to expand...


If your software is legitimate, the process is quick and
painless. I'm not crazy about the idea either, but I wouldn't
choose to "freeze my system as it is now." That could cause you
to miss out on important updates.
 
the verification process is pretty simple and is a one time deal. If
your key won't validate they just ask you what system it is and where
it was purchased. I used Belarc advisor to pull my key out which is
different than the key on the BOTTOM of my laptop. Rather than use the
Dell one I used the Belarc and got the invalid key message. Told them
it was a Dell PC and it validated.

Wayne
 
Ken said:
In



If your software is legitimate, the process is quick and
painless. I'm not crazy about the idea either, but I wouldn't
choose to "freeze my system as it is now." That could cause you
to miss out on important updates.
Click to expand...
Yes, Ken, that's the way it is in theory. But the only clue I have
as to how legit this 3-year old system is, is that I've never had
to re-validate it even once that I can recall, not even in
installing SP1 and then SP2 myself. I think I'm more secure where
I am, and prefer to stay here rather than "where no man has gone
before". Maybe Microsoft will relent some time and offer updates
without the hazards of revalidation.
 
In
Yes, Ken, that's the way it is in theory. But the only clue I
have
as to how legit this 3-year old system is, is that I've never
had
to re-validate it even once that I can recall, not even in
installing SP1 and then SP2 myself. I think I'm more secure
where
I am, and prefer to stay here rather than "where no man has
gone
before". Maybe Microsoft will relent some time and offer
updates
without the hazards of revalidation.
Click to expand...


I'm a man who has gone there before. I've done the Windows
Genuine Advantage thing on all three machines here, and had no
problems with it. No hazards at all that I can see.

But as always, it's your choice.
 
You have the tools you need. Make a Ghost image of your system the way it is
now. Then go to Windows update and allow it to do it's thing. See for
yourself how painless it is, as long as your software is legal. If you don't
like what you see because you have illegal software, restore your Ghost
image. Then don't go to Windows any more - ever.

You won't be happy with Windows XP's replacement when it comes out next year
either.

--
Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User

Quote from: George Ankner
"If you knew as much as you thought you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!"
 
Correction!

You have the tools you need. Make a Ghost image of your system the way it is
now. Then go to Windows update and allow it to do it's thing. See for
yourself how painless it is, as long as your software is legal. If you don't
like what you see because you have illegal software, restore your Ghost
image. Then don't go to **Windows Update** any more - ever.

You won't be happy with Windows XP's replacement when it comes out next year
either.


--
Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User

Quote from: George Ankner
"If you knew as much as you thought you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!"
 
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