Windows Update Blocker Tool Kit - Block Automatic Windows Vista SP2 Update
After availability of Windows Vista Service Pack 2 for public download I am sure many users would have already installed Vista Service Pack 2 to see the performance improvements and its advisable to install Windows Vista sp2 as it has many noticeable changes and also includes all the fixes released after Vista sp1.
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27.5.2009 Windows Service Pack Blocker Tool Kit - Block Vista SP2 Automatic Upgrades
Microsoft is offering Windows Vista SP1 users the chance to block automatic upgrades to Service Pack 2. In addition to making available Vista SP2 RTM as a standalone download, DVD ISO image, the bits are also released to Windows Update, and subsequently served to Vista SP1 users who have Automatic Updates enabled.
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3.7.2009 IE Automatic Component Activation - Changes to IE ActiveX Update
Back in April 2006, we made a change to how Internet Explorer handled embedded controls used on some webpages.
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9.11.2007 Microsoft Office 2007 SP1 releasing to Automatic Update
As we noted when we released Office 2003 Service Pack 3 via Microsoft Update (MU), we are committed to providing at least 30 days notice before making Office service packs available via Microsoft Update automatic distribution (for Vista and XP).
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10.5.2008 Automatic distribution of Windows Vista SP1 begins today
We're excited about the progress we've made with Windows Vista Service Pack 1. On March 18th, Windows Vista SP1 was made available for customers who chose to manually download and install it from the Microsoft Download Center or Windows Update in English, French, German, Spanish, and Japanese.
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24.4.2008 Two Unofficial IE Patches Block Attacks
eWeek reports that two well-respected Internet security companies (eEye and Determina) have released unofficial patches to correct the vulnerability being exploited to load spyware, bots and Trojan downloaders on Windows machines.
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29.3.2006 Microsoft is not trying to block access says Kaspersky
Microsoft's new operating system Vista will not make it more difficult for anti-virus systems to work, Russian computer security group and potential IPO candidate Kaspersky Lab said on Friday, contradicting rivals.
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9.10.2006 MySpace to 'block sex offenders'
Social networking website MySpace says it will release tools to identify and ban US sex offenders from its service.
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7.12.2006 Microsoft: ‘Very difficult’ to block IE attack vector
A member of Microsoft’s Internet Explorer team says it is “very difficult” to put protections in place to block the protocol handlers attack vector exposed by the recent IE-to-Firefox code execution vulnerability.
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22.7.2007 Anti-Spam Sites Block Microsoft Hosted Exchange Services
Microsoft's Exchange hosted mail services, designed to help businesses combat spam, have themselves been blocked by several anti-spam blacklists around the Web, CRN has learned.
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31.12.2006 IE Automatic Component Activation Now Available
Jefferson Fletcher: The IE Automatic Component Activation (IE ACA) update is now available as part of the April 2008 Internet Explorer Cumulative Update.
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9.4.2008 Internet Explorer 7 and Automatic Updates
Microsoft plans to use its Automatic Updates patch-distribution service to push its stand-alone Internet Explorer 7.0 browser to customers once the product is ready to ship in the fourth quarter of this year.
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26.7.2006 Microsoft: We Didn’t Change Automatic Updates
Software giant says users are responsible for the modifications that generated claims of unauthorized patch installs.
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20.10.2007 Windows 7 Automatic Installation Kit Limitations
The Windows Automated Installation Kit (AIK or WAIK) is among the free tools of choice when it comes down to building custom Windows 7 images and deploying them in a specific environment.
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31.8.2009 Toolkit to Disable Automatic Delivery of Internet Explorer 7
To help our customers become more secure and up-to-date, Microsoft will distribute Internet Explorer 7 as a high-priority update via Automatic Updates for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 soon after the final version of the browser is released (planned for fourth quarter 2006).
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27.7.2006 Microsoft's fix for Automatic Updates lockup not working
Windows XP systems are still locking up during patch update attempts -- even after users deployed the fix suggested by Microsoft Corp.
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12.5.2007 Microsoft sets Windows XP SP3 automatic download for Thursday
The vague timetable that Microsoft gave Monday for pushing out Windows XP SP3 to most users got specific Tuesday as the company quietly said it would release the upgrade on Thursday at 10 a.m. PDT.
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9.7.2008 Automatic Windows 7 Installs via the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010 RTM
Microsoft has made available for download the gold version of its solution accelerator designed to automate the deployment of its latest Windows client and server operating system released.
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9.9.2009 Microsoft to push Windows Server 2003 SP2 via Automatic Updates on Patch Tuesday
On June 12, this month’s Patch Tuesday, Microsoft will be delivering more than its usual bundle of security fixes and patches for Windows, Office and other products. The company also will be starting to push Windows Server 2003 Service Pack (SP) 2 to customers via its Automatic Updates patching mechanism.
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10.6.2007 Starting today, July 10, 2008 - Windows XP SP3 Is Live via Automatic Updates
The third and last service pack for the 32-bit version of Windows XP has debuted on the path to automatic distribution today, July 10, 2008. Initially, Microsoft was shy about pinpointing the actual deadline for XP SP3's availability through Automatic Updates, and only referenced an abstract "early summer" in order to give users a clue as to when they should get ready.
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10.7.2008 Microsoft plans to issue non-update update for Win 7
Microsoft will spit out dummy updates for Windows 7 beta testers next week that will probe the forthcoming operating system’s updating abilities.
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20.2.2009 Windows Update versus Ubuntu Update
A few months ago, Steve Ballmer publicly noted that Windows Vista was “a work in progress.” That inspired a predictable outpouring of Vista-bashing.
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15.7.2008 Do not update cracked Vista
Some our members report in
our forum that they have problems after updatimg cracked or patched Vista.
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30.1.2007 An Update For Windows Update
An infrastructure update has been planned for Windows Update client. The gradual roll-out of this update will begin in late July.
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6.7.2008 Security Update for Windows Vista
A remote code execution security issue has been identified in the Graphics Rendering Engine that could allow an attacker to remotely compromise your Windows-based system and gain control over it.
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16.1.2006 How to recover from the Vista Validation update
Well, I wasn't paying attention and installed the validaton update. Oops.
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17.12.2006 Another Vista Reliability & Performance Update
Vista’s performance is one of those topics that won’t be exhausted until Windows Seven hits RTM. It all comes down to trade-offs.
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12.12.2007 Update: "Vista Capable" trial
The ongoing "Vista Capable" class-action lawsuit against Microsoft took an interesting turn the other day when an expert witness for the plaintiffs claimed that the Redmond company made more than $1.5 billion through their "Vista Capable" marketing campaign.
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6.1.2009 New Vista AutoPatcher - Vista update toolkit Alpha
Vista Update Toolkit Alpha (Windows Vista Updates Downloader) is a FREE program which downloads updates directly from Microsoft. All files are very useful with vLite!
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26.9.2008 Microsoft Update Windows Vista Homepage
After a brief demo at the on-going CES conference in Las Vegas, Microsoft have launched a re-vamped version of the website for Windows Vista.
The slick new look makes a break from the often bland Microsoft product pages, and moves towards the Glass theme expected in Vista.
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5.1.2006IE8 via Automatic Update for users running IE6 or IE7
Microsoft plans to distribute Internet Explorer 8 to computers running previous versions of IE (IE 6 or IE 7) via Automatic Updates starting from the
3rd week of April. The update will be rolled out gradually from a small user base to large number of users. The update will be a 'high
priority' update for systems running Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 and is an 'important' update for Windows Vista and Windows Server
2008. The final version of IE8 was distributed via automatic update recently to users still running pre-release versions of IE8, Beta 2/RC1.
Organizations can use the IE8 Blocker Toolkit to block automatic delivery of IE8.
Read full story.....
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11.04.2009Windows Vista SP1 Update Resumes Tomorrow
From the Windows Vista Blog: I have a quick update for you about Windows Vista SP1. The Microsoft Update Blog contains some important information
about updates to the SP1 prerequisite distribution plan. Starting tomorrow, we are resuming the automatic update and installation of the Servicing
Stack Update.
In mid-April, we will begin distributing SP1 (in the first 5 languages) using the Automatic Update system. We have a lot of
Windows users, so not everyone will get it on the same day. In fact, it will go to a small percentage of Windows Vista users each day. The exact
timing of when you will receive it depends on when your PC is ready for Windows Vista SP1.
In addition to starting the automatic delivery
of the first 5 languages, I wanted to take this opportunity to tell you that also we're on track for the initial release of SP1 in the remaining
languages in mid-April.
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07.04.2008Windows Vista SP1 released to Automatic Update.
Windows Vista users will now receive the SP1 via the Microsoft Automatic Update service, Microsoft has said.
"We're excited about the
progress we've made with Windows Vista Service Pack 1. On March 18th, Windows Vista SP1 was made available for customers who chose to manually
download and install it from the Microsoft Download Center or Windows Update in English, French, German, Spanish, and Japanese. Last week, we made
the remaining languages available - giving WU users the ability to download and install Windows Vista Service Pack in any of 36 supported languages.
Today, we're happy to announce that we are beginning automatic distribution of SP1 in English, French, German, Spanish, and
Japanese."
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24.04.2008Why installing Vista SP1 might fail via Windows Update
When you try to install Windows Vista SP1 via Windows Update you can get error: Windows Vista Service Pack 1 is not available for installation from
Windows Update and is not offered by Automatic Updates.
To help ensure a positive update experience, Windows Update will temporarily not
offer Windows Vista SP1 to systems that have the following device drivers. In some cases, these device drivers are problematic on Windows Vista-based
computers when you update to Windows Vista SP1. By installing updated device drivers, you will resolve the issue and enable Windows Update to offer
Windows Vista SP1.
Click read more to view a list of drivers that don't work well with Vista SP1:
Read full story.....
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20.03.2008Microsoft to push IE8 as an automatic update
Microsoft has announced it plans to offer IE8 via Windows Update. In a move that will likely anger rivals such as Apple and Google, Microsoft will be
pushing Internet Explorer 8 via Windows Update. Google raised concerns back in 2006 when IE7 was originally released via Windows Update. Apple
received negative press last year when it tried to push Safari to iTunes users. Many users never had Safari installed but it was listed under
Apple's software update program for install. The IE8 update will be released as the highest priority update for each operating system. For
Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008, it will be listed as Important.
Read full story.....
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07.01.2009Microsoft to release Office 2007 SP1 via Automatic Update in June
Five months after the first service pack for Office 2007 was made generally available to customers, the company has determined it will be safe to
provide it over its automatic update service...
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09.05.2008Microsoft suspends auto update of Vista SP1 prerequisite
Yesterday Microsoft suspended automatic installations of
KB937287, a
servicing stack update required prior to installing Windows Vista SP1 and marked important.
Nick White made the announcement on the Windows
Vista Team Blog, in which he stated: "Immediately after receiving reports of this error, we made the decision to temporarily suspend automatic
distribution of the update to avoid further customer impact while we investigate possible causes." according to White, only a small amount of
customers are affected and only in unique circumstances, he also went on to say that Microsoft are working to identify possible solutions and will
make the update available again shortly after the issue has been addressed.
Microsoft has advised anyone who is affected by the issue to
use System Restore or contact 1-866-PC-Safety for help troubleshooting.
Read full story.....
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20.02.2008IE 8:Expected Windows Update and Automatic Updates Schedule
Now that IE 8 is available for download via Microsoft Download website, users should expect IE 8 being delivered via Windows Update soon. TechARP is
reporting that Microsoft will release IE8 via Windows Update a week later and schedule automatic updates at the end of April, 2009. Refer the IE 8
release notes for more info on the known issues, compatibility issues and other issues. Microsoft released the Wave 0 (25 languages) which is the RTM
version of IE 8 yesterday.
Read full story.....
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20.03.2009Vista SP1 goes live on Automatic Updates, but gradually
It's apparently safe to try this now: Microsoft stated this afternoon it's going forward with plans to deploy Windows Vista Service Pack 1 via
Automatic Updates...
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24.04.2008Is Microsoft Re-updating Auto Update, and Does It Need Updating Again?
Just when it seemed Microsoft had averted a PR debacle after an update to its Automatic Updates service in Windows installed itself into users'
computers even when they thought it was turned off, now it appears something is turning back on many users' Automatic Updates...
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15.10.2007Compatibility, Reliability, and Stability of Vista Update
About 2 months ago Microsoft released a couple of hotfixes that improved the stability and reliability of Windows Vista, these were not made available
on Automatic Updates. That aside, Microsoft has released an update to the compatibility, reliability, and stability of Windows Vista fix that
further improves the reliability of your system.
The original fix improved annoyances such as file copy calculation & speed from within
windows to other (local or network) drives.
This update improves the compatibility, reliability, and stability of Windows Vista. This
update includes the following improvements ->
Read full story.....
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24.10.2007Office 2007 SP1 Update Availability Clarification
Bobbie Harder: Posting this as I've noted just a little bit of confusion with how Office 2007 SP1 is made available for download after it's release
yesterday. As you know, Office 2007 SP1 was released yesterday to Microsoft Update, and to WSUS as part of the Tues, Dec 11th release.
As planned, Office 2007 SP1 was not pushed via Automatic Updates. There has been some confusion where Windows Vista customers are seeing
Office 2007 SP1 listed as available with an option to install in their Windows Update control panel applet. The new Vista experience of the Windows
Update applet combines the convenience of the Microsoft Update site, by isting all applicable available updates, and the best of the Automatic
Updates behavior. This allows users to specify what update types they want to automatically download and install (and when), as well as combines the
interactive experience of the Microsoft Update site.
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13.12.2007Microsoft starts pushing out Vista SP1
Microsoft said on Wednesday that it is beginning automatic distribution of Windows Vista Service Pack 1, the first major update to the
year-and-a-half-old operating system.
The company
finalized the Vista update in February, but has held off until now pushing it directly to individuals.
Starting Wednesday, the company will start sending it to Vista users who have Windows' automatic update feature turned on. However, the company
cautioned that not everyone will get SP1 immediately.
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24.04.2008Expiration dates for Vista SP1 and XP SP3 blocks announced
If you're an IT professional and currently using Microsoft's Service Pack Blocker, the software giant recently announced that the current
blocks for Vista SP1 and XP SP3 are going to expire in a few months. The Service Pack Blocker Tool only temporarily prevents Windows from the
installation of a Service Pack via Windows Update, and the block is only effective for one year after the Service pack is released to the market via
Windows Update. Effective April 28th, 2009, Windows Vista SP1 will no longer be blocked by the tool and will be delivered via Windows Update. The
same goes for Windows XP SP3, but the block will be lifted on May 19th, 2009.
Read full story.....
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30.01.2009Windows Server 2008 DNS Block Feature
Windows Server 2008 introduces a DNS block feature that may affect the ISA Server automatic discovery when implementing the WPAD mechanism using a
Windows Server 2008 DNS Server.
The block feature provides a global query block list to reduce vulnerability associated with
dynamic DNS updates. Dynamic update makes it possible for DNS client computers to register and dynamically update their resource records with a DNS
server whenever a client changes its network address or host name. This reduces the need for manual administration of zone records, especially for
clients that frequently move or change locations and use DHCP to obtain an IP address. This convenience comes at a cost, however, because an
authorized client can register any unused host name, even a host name that might have special significance for certain applications. This can allow a
malicious user to "hijack" a special name and divert certain types of network traffic to that user's computer. WPAD is a commonly deployed protocol
vulnerable to this type of hijacking, and by default WPAD look up is disabled by the blocking mechanism.
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19.02.2008Windows Server 2003 SP2 Blocker Tool to be removed from Windows Update and Automatic Update
Ward Ralston: Just a reminder - It has been a little over a year since we released
Windows Server 2003 SP2. When we release a Service
Pack at Microsoft, we want to make sure that IT professionals and system administrators have ample time to assess the service pack and choose when to
deploy it.
As with other service packs, we offered support for Windows Server 2003 SP2 within the
Windows Service Pack Blocker
Toolkit. This allowed administrators to block the automatic deployment of Windows Server 2003 SP2 for a period of one year.
Now that time has expired, organizations should be aware that over the next month, support for Windows Server 2003 SP2 within the blocker tool
will be phased out Windows Server 2003 SP2 will then be automatically offered, downloaded and/or installed (depending on user or administrator
settings) through standard mechanisms including Windows Update and Automatic Update.
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28.05.2008XP SP3 Goes on Automatic Updates This Thursday
Although a Microsoft manager had mentioned that XP SP3 would arrive "shortly" to Automatic Updates on Monday, the timetable became specific as the
company quietly said today it would release the upgrade on Thursday at 10 a.m. PDT. Microsoft will add Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) to Windows
Update at that time, and trigger its automatic download and installation for users who have left the operating system's update service at its
default "Automatic (recommended)" setting.
" Updated applicability rules and updated metadata to target the update to Automatic
Update channel, " read a Microsoft support document revised Tuesday after the company unveiled its monthly security patches . " The Automatic
Update change will be published at 10:00 A.M. on July 10. " Microsoft delayed the distribution of Windows XP SP3 twice this spring, but the July
10 date seems firm; it was included in the cumulative list of all updates available via Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), the server-side update
tool many businesses use, as well as via the client-side Windows Update (WU) and Microsoft Update Web-based services. A Microsoft spokeswoman,
however, was not able to immediately confirm that July 10 will, in fact, be XP SP3's automatic update debut.
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09.07.2008CNET Reviews Windows Vista SP1
A little more than one year after its release, Windows Vista will receive its first service pack update in March. Microsoft says the pack will offer
better compatibility with third-party hardware, increased reliability, tighter security, and better performance. But unlike the last Windows Service
Pack release, Windows XP SP2--which offered users a new Windows Firewall, an improved Automatic Updates feature, and a pop-up ad blocker for Internet
Explorer--Windows Vista SP1 is largely a code update, devoid of new eye candy, and very light on "must-have" features for home users. Most of the
features touted by Microsoft are for the Business, Enterprise, or Ultimate editions of the operating system. Our advice: Be patient, and don't
download it once it becomes available. Wait until Windows Vista SP1 is offered to your PC via Microsoft's Automatic Updates service.
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08.02.2008IE Automatic Component Activation Now Available
Jefferson Fletcher: The IE Automatic Component Activation (IE ACA) update is now available as part of the
April 2008 Internet Explorer Cumulative Update. The
"click to activate" behavior, formerly required for ActiveX controls embedded in some webpages, is now permanently removed from Internet Explorer.
For detailed information on IE ACA, see our
blog
post from last November announcing this update.
This update replaces the IE ACA previews released in December 2007 and February
2008.
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09.04.2008Microsoft planning updated UI for Windows Update
Beginning next month Microsoft will start an upgrade to the Windows Update and Microsoft Update services. Microsoft plans to start the
infrastructure update in late August, claiming "it will take a couple of months to complete the rollout." The update is required to "maintain and
improve service quality, reliability, and operations." The update will simply improve the user interface for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008
computers running Windows Update, adding a more visible and detailed description of updates as well as improvements in how users are notified about
service packs. If you currently apply your updates automatically then this update will not modify the look and feel of Automatic Updates.
Read full story.....
neowin.net -
17.07.2009
