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Forbes Blasts Latests Windows 7 Patch as Malware

Posted by timothy on from the if-the-president-does-it-is-isn't-illegal dept.

Forbes contributor Jason Evangelho has nothing good to say about a recent Windows 7 patch that's causing a range of trouble for some users. He writes: If you have Windows 7 set to automatically update every Tuesday, it may be to permanently disable that feature. Microsoft has just confirmed that a recent update — specifically KB 3004394 — is causing a range of serious problems and recommends removing it. The first issue that caught my attention, via AMD’s Robert Hallock, is that KB 3004394 blocks the installation or update of graphics drivers such as AMD’s new Catalyst Omega. Nvidia users are also reporting difficulty installing GeForce drivers, though I can’t confirm this personally as my machines are all Windows 8.1. Hallock recommended manually uninstalling the update, advice now echoed officially by Microsoft. More troubles are detailed in the article; on the upside, Microsoft has released a fix.

6 of 230 comments (clear)

  1. It uninstalled itself... by radish · · Score: 5, Informative

    According to my update history they automatically uninstalled it the next day (via a new update). So the auto updates worked - no drama.

    --

    ---- Den ene knappen er powerknapp, den andre er Bender voice knapp "Bite My Shiny Metal Ass"

  2. Re: Short sighted by nuckfuts · · Score: 5, Informative

    Here's a tip: If updates are pending but you want to shutdown quickly, don't choose Shutdown. Choose Log Off instead. Then, from the logon screen, you can choose either "Install updates and shutdown", or just "Shutdown".

  3. Re: Short sighted by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

    Ah, the great "you don't want to do that" solutions. As a anonymous coward I can finally say: I'm so sick of people like you. If you can't think of a real solution, then just say nothing.

    - You got shot, and need to stop the bleeding. Solution: You don't want to get shot.
    - Windows Vista doesn't update, how to solve it? Solution: You don't want to use Vista, and should upgrade.
    (add your own)

  4. Re:Short sighted by tranquilidad · · Score: 4, Informative

    Though I agree with your sentiment there was an additional patch in the group (KB2553154) that was a security update that conveniently broke ActiveX controls and macros in Excel 2013. It wasn't just one incredibly bad patch.

    I pity the poor vendors and their even poorer customers whose spreadsheets suddenly stopped working on December 10th.

  5. Did really he say that? by Okian+Warrior · · Score: 4, Informative

    Ah yes, one bad patch and we should all NEVER PATCH AGAIN BECAUSE THE SKY IS FALLING!

    Did he actually say that?

    Or did he say turn off *automatic* patching?

    It seems reasonable to always be 1 week behind in patching your systems - let someone else be the lightning rod for goofs and mistakes. I know some sysadmins patch "test" systems and try things out to see if the patches break their currently-running code. They don't seem to mind a certain time lag in patching.

  6. Can do this without logging off by iONiUM · · Score: 5, Informative

    While your steps work, you can also just focus on the desktop (by clicking the background, for example), then press ALT+F4. You will then be presented with the shutdown menu which includes the same options you cited, but without the need to log off first.