Windows Update on Vista

Spartacus · 23 Jun 2007 at 14:43

I have windows update set to 'check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them'

However the other day windows downloaded and installed an update without notifying me or asking my permission. The update was 'windows update software 7.0.6000.374'

Now I find this a bit of an invasion of my computer. I mean its one thing for someone to knock on your door and ask if they can pop in and use your toilet, but another for them to open your front door walk in and use it without saying a word.

Since my windows update wasnt set to automatically download and install updates, I think this just shows that microsoft own your pc when you are running windows and in theory could take control over it at any time they like.

TheVoice · 23 Jun 2007 at 14:46

Downloading an update for the updater software is a far cry from MS actually taking control of your computer.

It does seem odd it would do that though, in any case.

csmager · 23 Jun 2007 at 14:48

When WU was web-based, it wouldn't let you check for new updates without first updating the Windows Update software.

That's all this is - you can't expect it to be able to continue checking for windows updates using an outdated version of the WU software.

Spartacus · 23 Jun 2007 at 15:05

Still i think they should ask permission before installing first, a pop up box or something on screen explaining I need the download, especially as im not set to automatically download and install anything.

My point is it shows they CAN do pretty much what they want to your computer if they were to chose too. Even though in this case its nothing sinister or to worry about.

audiolab · 23 Jun 2007 at 18:09

You have Windows set to notify you if you need an update, with the changes to the updater software Windows would have no longer been able to tell you if you needed an update or not. I know what you are saying, that a warning would have been nice but the default route MS took was to give you it....which is a safer bet for most people as there is a risk that people will think it is a ad pop-up and cancel it.

Only way you would not have got it was if you had auto update switched off all together, ie no warnings. I know this because I just checked my games partition which when I ran windows update it told me I needed to install the update before I could view what updates were available.

Don't really think its sneaky, I am a coder and this is the way I would have done it to, the assumption being that if you have check for updates enabled you are going to install the update anyway. If they didn't do it this way the forums would be full of people complaining about an annoying pop up and asking is it was legit or not.