www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk

I'm still running Windows XP (and not looking to change any time soon), as you are probably aware, Windows support and updates for this version of windows has now stopped.

However, there is still one monthly update which is a *Malicious software removal tool*, it's recommended by Windows (obviously) that you download this and allow it to run once a month and up to now I've done this.

The download makes itself known by the appearance of an icon, a yellow shield, in the notification area of the task bar at the bottom of the screen.

Last month I clicked on the icon and told it to download the update, I turn my PC off every night and on start up the next morning the icon indicating that this update is ready was there again, I had to tell it to download the update three or four days running before it actually downloaded it.

The same thing is happening this month and so I took more note of what was actually happening, on the third day it did actually say that it was downloading and I checked my internet usage with Netmeter (which is always running) and it had increased by the amount of the download 46mb.

The icon was there again the next morning telling me to download it and I'm getting a bit brassed off with it.

I regularly run Mbam and a couple of other programmes to keep everything hunky-dory - do I really need this monthly Windows update or can I turn the thing off completely?

That tool is the M$ version of 'virus protection' (but it ISN'T a virus protection program) but specifically designed to look for attempts to corrupt Windows via known tunneling routes. Since M$ aren't offering updates to the OS to close such access routes the best they can do is offer this program that checks for other people trying to exploit them.

Regular updates are required to keep ahead of the game.

It DOESN'T check for 'real' viruses so you shouldn't stop using your regular protection. Giggidy.

kellys_eye wrote:That tool is the M$ version of 'virus protection' (but it ISN'T a virus protection program) but specifically designed to look for attempts to corrupt Windows via known tunneling routes. Since M$ aren't offering updates to the OS to close such access routes the best they can do is offer this program that checks for other people trying to exploit them.

Regular updates are required to keep ahead of the game.

It DOESN'T check for 'real' viruses so you shouldn't stop using your regular protection. Giggidy.

I don't plan to change my usual protection routine, but can't decide if I still need this monthly Windows update. Despite reading your reply several times I can't decide whether you're saying yes or no to it.

Hi ayjay,
My wife is the computer expert around here (she's a well-known and respected contributor on a big computer forum).

She says yes, keep updating the MS Malicious Software Removal Tool, it's a useful addition to your security. However, it shouldn't keep prompting you to download once you've told it to do so, and this excess prompting could be a little fault in an ageing OS - you can check whether you have the current version by clicking 'Start', then 'Run', then typing in 'mrt.exe', then click 'OK' - this will open the tool and will show you what month it's for - maybe save you downloading the same thing over again.

She also says have a look in Control Panel/Automatic Updates, and see what settings you may be able to alter.

I loved Xp - never have enjoyed the computer so much since we switched to Windows 7.

(We're currently running an old desktop with dual boot XP (but not online) and Ubuntu, and a desktop with 7, and 2 laptops)

ayjay wrote: I can't decide whether you're saying yes or no to it.

sorry, I meant 'yes'

OK, I've turned the updates back on and downloaded it yet again, it usually installs when I shut the whole thing down at night so it was no surprise that mrt.exe is showing the June version, maybe tomorrow, but I'm not holding my breath.

Thanks everyone.

Hi,

Good luck ayjay; hope you get it sorted quickly.

About a week ago I received an email from Microsoft saying I'm offered a free upgrade to Win10 at the month end; at the moment I'm running Win7. I too used to like WinXP but as it was being phased out I upgraded to Win7 when I bought my new computer. Win7 was strange at first but now it's just part of everyday life.

Kind regards, Col.

Hi Ayjay. Latest update for all Win systems was released this afternoon See here. http://hexus.net/tech/news/software/848 ... nt-driver/


Col, I have the notification for Win 10 on my taskbar. I've accepted it and apparently Win 10 will download on the 29th of July, then I can install it.

joinerjohn wrote:Hi Ayjay. Latest update for all Win systems was released this afternoon See here. http://hexus.net/tech/news/software/848 ... nt-driver/


Col, I have the notification for Win 10 on my taskbar. I've accepted it and apparently Win 10 will download on the 29th of July, then I can install it.

Similar here. However while I originally accepted their offer, I shall be holding on for some time before actually installing Win 10.
Firstly to see what bugs there might be, and secondly because I don't believe in free lunches, and I don't like some of the wording that is apparently in the agreement. "Free for the supported life of the device" is one phrase that I'm not happy about. I take it they decide what that "supported life of the device" is.

Dave54 wrote:
Similar here. However while I originally accepted their offer, I shall be holding on for some time before actually installing Win 10.
Firstly to see what bugs there might be, and secondly because I don't believe in free lunches, and I don't like some of the wording that is apparently in the agreement. "Free for the supported life of the device" is one phrase that I'm not happy about. I take it they decide what that "supported life of the device" is.

Totally agree with you Dave. Surely the "supported life" of any device would be until it gives up the ghost? (mind you with technology these days, I wouldn't be surprised to find a brand new computer "outdated" within a few months)

updates on older systems do fail to install and you will get the message that its available to download again

go into windows update make a note of the KB number - go to Microsoft and find the update on the website using the KB number and manually download and install it

KB - Knowledge Base

Hope this is of some use.

joinerjohn wrote:

Dave54 wrote:
Similar here. However while I originally accepted their offer, I shall be holding on for some time before actually installing Win 10.
Firstly to see what bugs there might be, and secondly because I don't believe in free lunches, and I don't like some of the wording that is apparently in the agreement. "Free for the supported life of the device" is one phrase that I'm not happy about. I take it they decide what that "supported life of the device" is.

Totally agree with you Dave. Surely the "supported life" of any device would be until it gives up the ghost? (mind you with technology these days, I wouldn't be surprised to find a brand new computer "outdated" within a few months)

most technology is out of date before it even gets released

Hi,

Thanks jj, I too accepted the offer of Win 10 but all I needed to do was click on accept then I will be notified on the 29th when I can either install or reject it. I'm interested to see what happens; I just hope my computer doesn't self destruct.

Kind regards, Col.

Retired wrote:Hi,

Thanks jj, I too accepted the offer of Win 10 but all I needed to do was click on accept then I will be notified on the 29th when I can either install or reject it. I'm interested to see what happens; I just hope my computer doesn't self destruct.

Kind regards, Col.

You will have up to a year to decide Col. I'd probably wait a month or 3 before making a decision..

flash22 wrote:

joinerjohn wrote:

Dave54 wrote:
Similar here. However while I originally accepted their offer, I shall be holding on for some time before actually installing Win 10.
Firstly to see what bugs there might be, and secondly because I don't believe in free lunches, and I don't like some of the wording that is apparently in the agreement. "Free for the supported life of the device" is one phrase that I'm not happy about. I take it they decide what that "supported life of the device" is.

Totally agree with you Dave. Surely the "supported life" of any device would be until it gives up the ghost? (mind you with technology these days, I wouldn't be surprised to find a brand new computer "outdated" within a few months)

most technology is out of date before it even gets released

Well the Win 7 install on this machine is 5 years old and much used, so I guess it's been past it's "supported life" for about 3 years!
:)
I don't trust these large businesses though. They're very clever at wording things to that look as if they say one thing while meaning another.
I don't know where they are going with this, but I'll bet "free for ever" ain't on the list.
They all seem a bit too keen on subscriptions for my taste.