Windows Update Incorrect?

[GLH]

I'm running Microsoft Windows XP Professional Version 2002 Service Pack 2
AND Microsoft Office Professional Edition 2003 SP1. When I go to the
Windows Update site and check for updates the following displays:


Critical Update for Office XP on Windows XP Service Pack 2 (KB885884)
Download size: 4.3 MB, 2 minutes
This update resolves an issue affecting only customers deploying the
MS04-028 update for Office XP on Windows XP SP2. The original update appears
to install correctly, but it may not actually have completed. To help
protect your computer, we are providing this new update. After you install
this item, you may have to restart your computer. Details...

My question is why? I don't have Office XP installed on my machine. Is
this truly an update I need to install?

 

[Jone Doe]

I'm running Microsoft Windows XP Professional Version 2002 Service Pack 2
AND Microsoft Office Professional Edition 2003 SP1. When I go to the
Windows Update site and check for updates the following displays:


Critical Update for Office XP on Windows XP Service Pack 2 (KB885884)
Download size: 4.3 MB, 2 minutes
This update resolves an issue affecting only customers deploying the
MS04-028 update for Office XP on Windows XP SP2. The original update
appears
to install correctly, but it may not actually have completed. To help
protect your computer, we are providing this new update. After you install
this item, you may have to restart your computer. Details...

My question is why? I don't have Office XP installed on my machine. Is
this truly an update I need to install?

"This update resolves an issue affecting only customers deploying the
MS04-028 update for Office XP"

How much plainer did it have to be? If you don't have Office XP, it doesn't
affect you.

 

[Phil]

If you read the details of the update it stats the affected software which
includes windows xp.
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms04-028.mspx

 

[Phil]

"This update resolves an issue affecting only customers deploying the
MS04-028 update for Office XP"

How much plainer did it have to be? If you don't have Office XP, it
doesn't affect you.

Not true. Read the details of the update.
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms04-028.mspx
Affected Software:

• Microsoft Windows XP and Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 1 –
Download the update (KB833987)

• Microsoft Windows XP 64-Bit Edition Service Pack 1 – Download the
update (KB833987)

• Microsoft Windows XP 64-Bit Edition Version 2003 – Download the
update (KB833987)

• Microsoft Windows Server™ 2003 – Download the update (KB833987)

• Microsoft Windows Server 2003 64-Bit Edition – Download the update
(KB833987)

• Microsoft Office XP Service Pack 3 – Download the update (KB832332)

Microsoft Office XP Service Pack 2 – Download the administrative
update (KB832332)

Microsoft Office XP Software:

<rest of webpage snipped>

 

[Torgeir Bakken \(MVP\)]

I'm running Microsoft Windows XP Professional Version 2002 Service Pack 2
AND Microsoft Office Professional Edition 2003 SP1. When I go to the
Windows Update site and check for updates the following displays:


Critical Update for Office XP on Windows XP Service Pack 2 (KB885884)
Download size: 4.3 MB, 2 minutes
This update resolves an issue affecting only customers deploying the
MS04-028 update for Office XP on Windows XP SP2. The original update appears
to install correctly, but it may not actually have completed. To help
protect your computer, we are providing this new update. After you install
this item, you may have to restart your computer. Details...

My question is why? I don't have Office XP installed on my machine.

Most likely because you have this Office XP key in your registry:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\10.0\Common\InstallRoot\

For this update, this is the one thing that Windows Update checks for.


Note that this registry key is not deleted if you uninstall Office XP,
so you could actually get this Office update offered even without
having Office installed at all, as long as some Office XP component
have previously been installed (and then uninstalled).

Is this truly an update I need to install?

If you "install" it, it will not find any Office XP installation, and I
think it will set a "marker" so you are not offered the updated again.

 

[GLH]

Thank you for the explanation. If I accept Windows Update default
recommendation and install the critical update is any damage done? The
reason I ask is because if I don't install the update it is forever
appearing each time I check for new updates.

 

[Torgeir Bakken \(MVP\)]

Thank you for the explanation. If I accept Windows Update default
recommendation and install the critical update is any damage done?

Hi

No damage should be done in this case.

 

[Rock]

Thank you for the explanation. If I accept Windows Update default
recommendation and install the critical update is any damage done? The
reason I ask is because if I don't install the update it is forever
appearing each time I check for new updates.

You can check the box on windows update to hide it.

 

[Guest]

Well, you always have the option of NOT installing updates (Windows or
Office) that is why they offer detailed description of what the updates are
covering. It pays to read the details before you choose to install/not
install.

By the way, Office update #3 is available, it includes updates #1 and #2 as
well.

 

[Guest]

Rock: Good tip!

You can check the box on windows update to hide it.