Newsletter Archives

• MS-DEFCON 3: Time to get the first post-patchocalypse patches patched

  Posted on October 27, 2016 at 14:36 CDT by woody • Comment in the Forums

  Patching Windows 7 and 8.1 has turned a bit more complex than it once was. Basically you need to choose between Group A – the folks who install everything Microsoft has on offer – and Group B, those who only want security patches. With Group A, you use Windows Update. With Group B, you install the security patch manually, then use Windows Update to pick up the other stuff.

  You can do it. Details are in the InfoWorld article I just posted. Comments most welcome!

  Windows 10

  Now’s a good time to let Win10 update itself, with one exception: If you’re still on the Fall Update, version 1511, I say stay there until Microsoft gets a better version of the Anniversary Update, version 1607. Details here. (If you decide to ignore my advice and want to upgrade now, make sure you check out KB 3197099.)

  If you’re already running 1607, there’s a servicing stack update, KB 3199209, which seems to be causing problems for some people. You’re probably better off avoiding it for now.

  Also, be wary if you use the System Center Operations Console. (You probably don’t.) Microsoft has a hotfix for the problem.

  Office

  Oy, what a mess. Microsoft’s already pulled one Office patch this month – KB 3198535 caused Excel to halt and catch fire. If you’re using Office 365 Click-to-Run, and you’re having problems with the way backgrounds display on some custom controls, you need to roll back to an earlier version. Otherwise, the current patches appear to be OK.

  I’m putting us at MS-DEFCON 3: Patch reliability is unclear, but widespread attacks make patching prudent. Go ahead and patch, but watch out for potential problems.

  My usual boilerplate advice:

  For those of you who are new to this game, keep in mind that… I never install drivers from Windows Update (in the rare case where I can actually see a problem with a driver, I go to the manufacturer’s web site and download it from the original source). I use Chrome and Firefox, and only pull out IE when I feel very inclined — but even if you don’t use IE, you need to keep up with its patches.

  Windows Patches/Security MS-DEFCON 3, October 2016 Black Tuesday

• MS-DEFCON 2: Get patched, and turn off Automatic Updates

  Posted on October 10, 2016 at 14:56 CDT by woody • Comment in the Forums

  For you Win 7 and 8.1 users, the Windows patchocalypse is coming.

  I hope you read my post about updating in preparation for tomorrow’s “patchocalypse.”

  If you don’t have time to get your computer in shape, don’t worry about it – but make doubly sure that you have Automatic Update turned off. Look at the tab above marked “Automatic Updates.”

  For those of you using Win10 with a Wi-Fi internet connection, that involves setting your  internet connection to “metered.” If you have a wired internet connection, in Win10 Pro, you can turn off updating with GPEdit. If you have Win10 Home with a wired internet connection, you have to mess around with the internals a bit.

  In Win7 and 8.1 it’s not hard – go for “Never check for updates (not recommended).” Not recommended by Microsoft, that is. Fully recommend by yours truly.

  I’m moving to MS-DEFCON 2: Patch reliability is unclear. Unless you have an immediate, pressing need to install a specific patch, don’t do it.

  Windows Patches/Security October 2016 Black Tuesday