Replies

Imacri:

So many questions, for which I have only a few answers.

First, I am running Windows XP Professional, Version 5.1 (Build 2600.xpsp_sp3_qfe.130704-0421: Service Pack 3)

The program said it was Avast Antivirus. Either I was running the free version, or I paid a purchase price without any ongoing payments, because I certainly have not made any payments for years, if any.

I don’t care if what I procure is free or I have to pay for it. If I pay, I would prefer a onetime fee, rather than an ongoing monthly fee.

I’m not sure if my CPU supports SSE2 or not. I found a program on the internet that will let me answer that question, but either I have to hook my XP back onto the internet to get it, or I have to download it onto my Windows 7 machine, put it on a CD, and then run the CD in my XP3 to transfer it to my XP3 computer. I’ll do it if the answer is vital to what you suggest.

I ONLY want the antivirus to work on my XP3. I have Microsoft Security Essentials on my Windows 7 and Windows Defender on my Windows 10 computers. (Incidentally, they are named Windows Defender as opposed to Microsoft Defender on both my Windows 10 computers)

Harry

PK Cano:

I tried to run the removal tool you suggested on my XP, which is: Windows XP Professional, Version 5.1 (Build 2600.xpsp_sp3_qfe.130704-0421: Service Pack 3).

I got an error message saying: ‘E:\avgclear.exe is not a valid Win32 application.’

Harry

Cybertooth:

Panda Dome no longer has a free version, but they do have a trial version.

Both of your recommendations talk about protecting a network. My Windows 7 desktop (on my network) uses Microsoft Security Essentials, and my Windows 10 laptop (also on the network) uses Windows Security. Will there be any conflict if I add Panda Dome or eScan Internet Security?

 

Harry

 

SupremeLaw & Cybertooth:

For now I disconnected my XP from my network, booted the XP in Safe Mode, and removed AVG Internet Security. It now boots up almost instantly!

Cybertooth:

Do eScan Internet Security and/or Panda Dome still get updated for new viruses, etc?

Harry

SuoremeLaW:

Interesting. I did an internet search and found a PC Mag Review from 3/30/2021 that said Avast had bought AVG, and the two products were essentially the same now. I have no idea if my Avast has a Enhanced Firewall. I will check and see.

 

Harry

mne said:

A much better solution (and to avoid enabling the “Managed by your organization” policy) is to use the “–test-type=ui” flag.

Can you provide more information on how to do that! I did a search for “–test-type=ui” flag, but didn’t come up with anything that I could understand.

Harry

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LHiggins

PKCano said:

“The only problem with uninstalling it is, it has already done its “thing(s).” Much better to block its install with wushowhide or WUMgr before it installs if you don’t want it.”

I have wushowhide installed, and I have watched Susan Bradley’s video on how to use it. But I have trouble using it: not sure why. So for ‘normal’ Windows updates, I have reverted to setting an install date far in the future, with hopes that the specific update will no longer appear by that date.

 

Harry

Rick:

“As mentioned, you’ll find it in Control Panel > Programs and Features:”

 

As you noted, it was in Programs and Features, so I was able to remove it

But why in the h… would I look for something called ‘Microsoft Update Health Tools’ rather than looking for KB4023057, which is what it apparently was released as ??

Harry

Rick said:

“I uninstalled it from Windows 10 Pro 22H2 with no apparent side effects.”

This is really strange. when I go to ‘View update history’ on my Win 10 21H2, it clearly lists, under Update History->Quality Updates, KB4023057, which was successfully installed on 2/2/2023. It also list three previous Quality Updates, which were successfully installed between 10/27/2022 and 12/4/2022.

Yet when I click on ‘Uninstall updates’ on that page, none of the 4 Quality Updates noted above are shown!

Where have I gone wrong here?

Harry

Despite my best efforts, KB4023057 got installed on my Windows 10 (21H2) computer. I haven’t seen any issues, but reading the posts on this thread, there could be changes that I don’t notice.

Can I just uninstall it, or has any damage already been done and is not reversible?

 

Harry

A credit report only tells you your current status. If there is a breach where thieves can access your credit card numbers and other personal data, you want to put a freeze on your account, so others cannot access this. That is easy to do. There are 3 firms in the US that create and publish credit reports: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. It is easy to add a freeze.

Then at a later date, just have the freeze removed.  Removing the freeze should be easy, and it is at Equifax and TransUnion. You can do it over the phone with those two in one call, as long as you have enough information to convince their representative that you are who you say you are.

But at Experian it is a nightmare, as I am finding out. Their 800 number is never answered by a human. You cannot log into your account even if you have the correct name and password. Their website tells you what you have to mail them to have the freeze removed. I did that a month ago, and as of yet no response.

If it is a major breech, and you are planning on buying something that requires you to have good credit, then you have no choice but to use all three firms. But if you have no immediate need for credit, just deal with Equifax and TransUnion to make sure all of your information is correct.

 

Harry

I have read most of these 8 pages of posts relative to KB5012270 and wushowhide.diagcab, and am totally confused (very easy at my age). I have two Windows 10 Pro computers. When Susan Bradley first posted a warning about KB5012270, I immediately paused my updates, which are now set to expire Oct. 7.

I recently installed wushowhide.diagcab, following Ms. Bradley well done video. But since I have the pause in place, there is no KB5012270 to hide or block!

If I now remove the update pause, won’t Windows automatically  install KB5012270 before I can hide/block it?

There are several comments/questions on this thread regarding the interaction between KB5012270 and Bitlocker. I have never activated Bitlocker, and don’t plan to.

Any clarification would be greatly appreciated.

 

Harry

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WStaxcpany

abbodi86:

You said:

“Nothing changed with SSU KB5016057 in regard of ESU processing
the new SSU merely add support for the additional 3 years of ESU keys

There are multiple failure reports at MDL forums, all are related to OS drivers updating error.”

I am running a Windows 7 Pro 64 bit  SP1 tower computer. I have the additional ESU support. It is not clear to me from this thread whether I should install KB5016057 (Servicing Stack Update) or not. Could you provide more details?

Harry

 

Alejr:

SUCCESS

The problem was not my internet connection, nor my programs, nor some nefarious gremlin hiding in my computer, but my own mistake: due to some combination of age and stupidity (and perhaps not having saved images of the setup—now rectified).

It was my speaker Playback setting on the Sound page. See Win7NoSound_Fixed_NewSettings_8_26_2022.jpg, attached. In the upper left, on the Playback tab, I had somehow set my speakers to ‘Total Recorder WDM audio driver”. Moving the checkmark to “Realtek High Definition Audio” fixed that problem. Now I have sound on websites, VLC media player, etc.

For updating VLC Media player, I used an old laptop which I had updated from Win 7 (64 bit) to Win 10 (64 bit). I went to the VLC website, as you suggested. For a while I thought the file wasn’t going to download (I chose the 64 bit version), but it eventually did, and all seems fine. I will update my Win 7 and a newer Win 10 laptop in the next couple of days. Now that I have sound back, updating VLC is not a priority.

Thanks again to you (and others who made suggestions) for all your help and patience!

 

Harry

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wavy, JohnW, satrow

alejr:

I just saw this note in Susan Bradley’s 8/23 column. While it references a very recent update to Windows 10, I wonder it a similar problem might be affecting my Windows 7?

—————————————————————————————

Version Patch # Release Date
Versions 21H2 / 21H1 / 20H2 5016616 8/9/2022 Install See install note (A) below Cumulative update

Install Note (A) – known issues include: Audio issues: After installing this update, some Windows devices might have issues with audio not working. Some affected Windows devices might have no audio, but other affected Windows devices might only have issues on certain ports, certain audio devices or only within certain applications. Most affected audio devices drivers have the “audio enhancements” setting disabled before installing this update or the sound device driver has issues with the “audio enhancements” feature.

——————————————————————————————-

Harry