Windows 7 users urged to uninstall broken update that wreaks havoc on software

Ron Czapala

Here we go again!

I ran updates on Dec 11 and the problem update was not applied - maybe they had already removed it for Windows 7 users...

Windows 7 users may have automatically updated themselves into a pickle with a recent patch from Microsoft.

Microsoft has confirmed that the KB3004394 update it issued on December 10 can cause various problems. What's worse is that it may also prevent users from installing newer updates.
The problems are reportedly limited to Windows 7 machines, and don't affect users running Windows 8 or newer.

See more here: http://www.pcworld.com/article/2859120/windows-7-users-urged-to-uninstall-broken-update-that-wreaks-havoc-on-software.html

Link to patch: https://support.microsoft.com/kb/3024777

GordonMcComb

For me, the update channel had the fix, and it applied correctly.

Another one to stay away from, if you're a Win7 user, is KB2952664. It runs a background data collector with the aim of helping to determine if your machine and software is a candidate for Win8 or later. Not only is Microsoft not fully disclosing this fact in the summary for the patch on the upgrade pane, the background process can cause a lot of unexplained disk thrashing as it surveils your hard drive.

Ron Czapala

GordonMcComb wrote: »

For me, the update channel had the fix, and it applied correctly.

Another one to stay away from, if you're a Win7 user, is KB2952664. It runs a background data collector with the aim of helping to determine if your machine and software is a candidate for Win8 or later. Not only is Microsoft not fully disclosing this fact in the summary for the patch on the upgrade pane, the background process can cause a lot of unexplained disk thrashing as it surveils your hard drive.

An interesting discussion about KB2952664 here:
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-windows_update/what-exactly-does-kb2952664-do/b3ec3f95-2e6a-414b-ad18-0420a24f28d5

Look at the files affected in this link: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2952664

EDIT: It was installed on my PC on Dec 11. I just uninstalled it and ran the Check for Updates again.
It showed two updates for KB2952664.
I right-clicked each and hid them.

Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)

This is why I do NOT do Windows upgrades -- ever. It works, as-is; I do not need to "fix" it. As they say, "Once bitten, twice shy."

OS X upgrades, OTOH, are much more reliable, and I blindly accept them. But Apple doesn't have to consider the disparate needs of a zillion different hardware platforms.

-Phil

LoopyByteloose

I just find it difficult to keep track of which MS updates are good and necessary and which are necessary to avoid.
I am told one must turn off automatic updates and pick and choose entirely for themselves... not exactly user friendly.

Linux, like OS X does not have such a great update hazard. Trying to follow MS advice is like talking to lawyers. Gave up and moved on.

And yes, MS struggles to support a greater range of hardware platforms.... just because it decided to dominate the market by supporting everything. MS did this to themselves to grab market share.

RDL2004

I can't find either of these (KB3004394 or KB2952664) in my Windows Update lists.

If you run Windows 7, do not turn off updates. However, do not blindly download and install everything Microsoft offers. What you want are the "Important updates" only. These should be (if Microsoft manages to get it right) only the security related updates. The "Recommended updates" are all the optional garbage that you can generally ignore.

In the Windows Update settings look for:

Recommended updates

---

|_| Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates.

and uncheck that option.


Also, in the settings you might also want to select:

"Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them"

instead of the default (recommended) choice. This will give you control (instead of Windows) over what and when stuff gets updated.