Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

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. Short sighted by DavidRawling · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Ah yes, one bad patch and we should all NEVER PATCH AGAIN BECAUSE THE SKY IS FALLING! Perhaps he will take personal responsibility the next time a patched vulnerability launches a new botnet? Nah, just write inflammatory rubbish, it's easier.

    1. 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".

    2. Re:Short sighted by Paradise+Pete · · Score: 5, Insightful

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

      How is it that you interpret disabling auto-update as meaning "NEVER PATCH AGAIN"? I took it to mean don't patch until you're confident it's safe to do so. Don't you think that's a more reasonable view?

    3. Re: Short sighted by Paradise+Pete · · Score: 5, Funny

      Thank you, nuckfuts.

      Now there's something you don't read every day.

  2. 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"

  3. 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.