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Patch reliability is unclear. Unless you have an immediate, pressing need to install a specific patch, don't do it. |
So what happened? Well a funny thing happened to a server. Long story short, I decided that it was time for a fresh start and a new location courtes
[See the full post at: Patch Lady Posts 2018-02-13]
Perq, 
LH, 
Microfix, 
DrRon, 
jburk07, 
CyGuy, 
AlexEiffel, 
walker, 
Fred, 
EspressoWillie, 
Elly, 
CADesertRat, 
Cee Arr, 
MikeFromMarkham, 
AJNorth I like the new format. Much easier to follow.
W E L C O M E A B O A R D , S U S A N
The first revamped update post is a ripper. So much easier for my aging brain to comprehend. Who is the little bloke next to Susan? Woody! Woody! Is that you?
I’m going to stay over here.
Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher
Love it.
However, could I trouble you to include the equivalent security only update KB number for Windows 7/8.1 when you post the Monthly Update Rollup KB number? Sorry, never going to be group A.
Other than that, love it.
No matter where you go, there you are.
We have a split audience. Those who install the Monthly Rollups (what I call “Group A“) are in the majority. The more skeptical only install Security-Only patches (“Group B”)
@PKCano maintains a list of Security-Only patches in AKB 2000003.
The MS-DEFCON system (see level “2” above) is for people who don’t want to install individual patches, but instead are looking for overall guidance. When I change MS-DEFCON level, the event is marked by an article in Computerworld giving detailed, step-by-step patching instructions.
Patch Lady:
Thank you for asking.
Yes, I install, monthly, from the Catalogue, but just the security only update for (in my case) Windows 7 [Pro], SP1 x64, as well as the corresponding Explorer 11 cumulative security only.
On the other hand, I install Office, .NET and the MS malware tool remover, from the Update page in the Control Panel’s “Action Center”. I have Windows Update set to inform me of new updates, but to let me chose when (and which) to install. Usually wait for one or two weeks, to see if anything bad transpires, such as a serious issue pending resolution, according to postings here at Woody’s. Also hide updates I do not want (but you never know if some day…) Mostly optional updates to fix things like the problem with the time in Azerbaijan, and things with “quality” and “rollup” in their names.
I think many people visiting this site for information and advice update more or less in this way. We are what is known in Woodyese as the “Group B” people. There is also the Group A people, that let MS do the updating for them (e.g., my great aunt Agatha). Then there are the radical extremist daredevil rebels of Group W, I think it is called, that have both pulled out a tooth and swore a blood oath never to update, no matter what.
Ex-Windows user (Win. 98, XP, 7); since mid-2017 using also macOS. Presently on Monterey 12.15 & sometimes running also Linux (Mint).
MacBook Pro circa mid-2015, 15" display, with 16GB 1600 GHz DDR3 RAM, 1 TB SSD, a Haswell architecture Intel CPU with 4 Cores and 8 Threads model i7-4870HQ @ 2.50GHz.
Intel Iris Pro GPU with Built-in Bus, VRAM 1.5 GB, Display 2880 x 1800 Retina, 24-Bit color.
macOS Monterey; browsers: Waterfox "Current", Vivaldi and (now and then) Chrome; security apps. Intego AV
Welcome, Patch Lady!
And may I remind all in attendance, that when it comes to decide when and what to patch, one should be mindful of what your friend in that picture once said about how really important things get done?
“Do. Or do not. There is no try.”
Ex-Windows user (Win. 98, XP, 7); since mid-2017 using also macOS. Presently on Monterey 12.15 & sometimes running also Linux (Mint).
MacBook Pro circa mid-2015, 15" display, with 16GB 1600 GHz DDR3 RAM, 1 TB SSD, a Haswell architecture Intel CPU with 4 Cores and 8 Threads model i7-4870HQ @ 2.50GHz.
Intel Iris Pro GPU with Built-in Bus, VRAM 1.5 GB, Display 2880 x 1800 Retina, 24-Bit color.
macOS Monterey; browsers: Waterfox "Current", Vivaldi and (now and then) Chrome; security apps. Intego AV
SO HAPPY you are here.
Hey, just a heads up; I installed KB 4074598 on my Windows 7 Desktop PC (I use AMD stuff etc) and it kept putting my PC into a weird hibernation state when trying to restart.. every single time. It wouldn’t show input from the monitors, mouse/keyboard, but the tower would still be running. To get out of this state I had to turn off the PC directly from the button on the tower itself, then turn it back on. It didn’t even do that “windows shut down unexpectedly” thing when you force turn off the PC.
The problem fixed by uninstalling the patch, but for whatever reason that patch basically made restarting impossible for me.. I mean, my PC is already feeling fragile enough and does weird glitchy things whenever I update it but this could be a potential issue for anyone that might decide to install it.
Perhaps similar to https://www.askwoody.com/forums/topic/kb4056894/#post-168525.
Patch Lady Posts 2018-02-13: “Unless you take action, you are by default on the monthly channel – which is a bit of a misnomer – as lately the monthly channel has been updating more than once a month. As a result the first thing I want you to do after reading the Patch Lady post is to adjust how you get your click to run Office 2016 deployment. I’ll want you to change to the semi-annual feature update channel rather than the monthly update channel.”
This Microsoft page says that the Semi-Annual Channel is the default:
Semi-Annual Channel is the default update channel for Office 365 ProPlus.
SAC is default for O365ProPlus SKU only
there are more than 7 major SKUs for Office 2016 C2R, not to mention Project and Visio
Very glad to see you aboard Susan. I used to subscribe to Windows Secrets when Brian was running the show. With you on board I’m happy to contribute to Askwoody as input from both of you has been invaluable in my 21 years as a system admin. We changed our office365 users to semi annual about a month ago after having our fill of the monthly channel fiasco. Most definitely semi annual is the way to go in a corporate environment.
Red Ruffnsore
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