![]() |
MS-DEFCON 4:
There are isolated problems with current patches, but they are well-known and documented on this site.
|
-
The case against knee-jerk installation of Windows patches
Home › Forums › AskWoody blog › The case against knee-jerk installation of Windows patches
This topic contains 8 replies, has 7 voices, and was last updated by
woody 5 months, 3 weeks ago.
-
AuthorPosts
-
I finally had a chance to put together a manifesto for a heretical position I’ve taken publicly for more than a decade: Windows Automatic update is fo
[See the full post at: The case against knee-jerk installation of Windows patches] -
I quite agree. Waiting to find out more before doing anything in my computer I did not know enough about yet, particularly installing new patches, has been my default position for many years. I used to roam the Web after patches came out, looking for news and opinions about them and avoiding those I would hear more than a few times that were causing problems. Now I come here to find out what is going on, and then use that information as a starting point to look elsewhere as well, when that seems necessary. And can also have a look at the informative articles others helpfully point out.
And in all the years using Windows (from Windows 95 through 7), I can’t remember a single occasion when I had a problem definitely caused by a bad patch. Problems? Yes, sure, several, including, for example, one with the hardware that required taking a PC to a repair shop. But problems because of bad patches? No.
Of course, I own my PC and can use it exactly the way I like, so can always wait until it seems safe to proceed and I feel that have gained a sufficient understanding of what is best to do; others may not be as free to decide what to do and when. And so I have managed to stay free from major trouble. These days it continues to be so, to a considerable extent, thanks to the advice of a number of people here, at Woody’s, to all of whom I am very grateful for their generous help.
Windows 7 Professional, SP1, x64 Group B & macOS + Linux (Mint) => Win7 Group W + Mac&Lx
1 user thanked author for this post.
-
What is a good approach for the “dead-zone” operating systems of Windows 7 and Windows 8.1? Windows 10 is for sure problematic.
Group G{ot backup} TestBeta On hiatus.
Win7Pro · x64 · SP1 · i3-3220 · RAM 8GB · Firefox: uBlock Origin - NoScript · HDD · Canon Printer · Microsoft Security Essentials · Windows: Backup - System Image - Rescue Disk - Firewall-
Have you thought about installing Windows 8.1 in dual boot with Windows 7? Doing that, one could use 8.1 to do all the work on the Internet (Web + email), while still getting safely patched for three more years after the EOL of Windows 7.
My own decision has been to install Linux Mint in dual boot with Windows 7 on my PC, so I am not going to go into that “dead zone.” For me it is going to be: “goodbye, MS, and best of luck to you.” (Who knows, MS might need it.)
Windows 7 Professional, SP1, x64 Group B & macOS + Linux (Mint) => Win7 Group W + Mac&Lx
-
-
Woody knows already I am group W, but let me tell you how well it is working out….
I have about 130 Win7 client computers. Not one has had a single Microsoft update in 25 months now. That is 3250 computer use months. Not a single case of any kind of a problem. Certainly no infections.
These computers are all:
1. protected with BitDefender Antivirus +
2. Use Chrome not IE
3. Have Adobe Flash and Reader uninstalled as well as Java
4. have a system image of the system prior to data and dynamic apps.My support work has fallen off to near zero. These computers just run day in day out without ever having a problem
For us, January 2020 has come and gone. We expect to be still using Win7, 5 years from now
CT
8 users thanked author for this post.
-
Excellent piece by Woody, one of the best I’ve ever seen on the topic of OS security patching.
With respect to the probabilities of getting infected by various threats, does anybody here know if there’s anything in the Windows world comparable in detail to this report by Google on their Android operating system?
-
Check out the Microsoft Security Intelligence Report, Volume 24 – https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/operations/security-intelligence-report
Not exactly the same as Google’s but roughly comparable.
1 user thanked author for this post.
-
-
An excellent article —
I have eight computers I look after — my own, my wife’s, and 6 others where I do voluntary work twice a week. All are running Windows 7 pro 64bit OS. I stopped updating in December 2017. I am now moving to using Firefox browser on all the computers (IE is finished). All is well so far.
As an aside — Yesterday I went into the office of a hire car company near us and was surprised to see two high end big screen iMac Apple Desktop computers being used in stead of the usual Microsoft windows, as I would have expected. May be companies are moving away from Windows 10? I was impressed — I wish I could afford an Apple iMac.
mbhelwig
1 user thanked author for this post.
-
AuthorPosts
-
-
Welcome to our unique respite from the madness.
It's easy to post questions about Windows 10, Win8.1, Win7, Surface, Office, or browse through our Forums. Post anonymously or register for greater privileges. Keep it civil, please: Decorous Lounge rules strictly enforced. Questions? Contact Customer Support.

Plus Membership
Donations from Plus members keep this site going. You can identify the people who support AskWoody by the Plus badge on their avatars.
AskWoody Plus members not only get access to all of the contents of this site -- including Susan Bradley's frequently updated Patch Watch listing -- they also receive weekly AskWoody Plus Newsletters (formerly Windows Secrets Newsletter) and AskWoody Plus Alerts, emails when there are important breaking developments. Click here for details and to sign up.
Search The Lounge
Recent Replies
PKCano on Here’s how to control the upgrade from Win10 version 1803 or 1809
6 minutes agoOscarCP on Preparing a Mac and iPad Switcher Guide for Windows 7 Users
6 minutes agoanonymous on Copying files to a new Win 10 computer
12 minutes agobsqrd on Here’s how to control the upgrade from Win10 version 1803 or 1809
22 minutes agoNoLoki on Yes, there’s a crack to enable extended security updates on all Win7 machines. No, you shouldn’t count on it.
1 hour, 32 minutes agoPKCano on Preparing a Mac and iPad Switcher Guide for Windows 7 Users
1 hour, 43 minutes agoNathan Parker on Preparing a Mac and iPad Switcher Guide for Windows 7 Users
1 hour, 52 minutes agoTchalms on How does Windows Update work?
1 hour, 57 minutes agoKranium on Yes, there’s a crack to enable extended security updates on all Win7 machines. No, you shouldn’t count on it.
1 hour, 58 minutes agoanonymous on 'Link mismatch' post ver 1903
2 hours, 6 minutes agoPKCano on MS-DEFCON 4: Time to get the November patches installed
2 hours, 8 minutes agoanonymous on MS-DEFCON 4: Time to get the November patches installed
2 hours, 9 minutes agob on Domain computer upgrade to Win 10
2 hours, 13 minutes agoLHiggins on Keep Running Windows 7 Safely for Years to Come
2 hours, 41 minutes agoPKCano on Chasing the elusive upgrade for Win10 Pro v1803
2 hours, 42 minutes agoSlowpoke47 on HP all-in-one printer in Mint
2 hours, 44 minutes agoabbodi86 on Chasing the elusive upgrade for Win10 Pro v1803
2 hours, 45 minutes agoPKCano on Chasing the elusive upgrade for Win10 Pro v1803
2 hours, 52 minutes agoabbodi86 on Chasing the elusive upgrade for Win10 Pro v1803
2 hours, 56 minutes agoGreatAndPowerfulTech on Yes, there’s a crack to enable extended security updates on all Win7 machines. No, you shouldn’t count on it.
3 hours, Just nowSlowpoke47 on HP all-in-one printer in Mint
3 hours, 7 minutes agoJohnW on Keep Running Windows 7 Safely for Years to Come
3 hours, 22 minutes agoPKCano on MS-DEFCON 4: Time to get the November patches installed
3 hours, 27 minutes agoanonymous on MS-DEFCON 4: Time to get the November patches installed
3 hours, 30 minutes agoOscarCP on Keep Running Windows 7 Safely for Years to Come
3 hours, 32 minutes agoCybertooth on HP all-in-one printer in Mint
3 hours, 33 minutes agoCharlie on Born: Reported profile problems with the newly updated Firefox
3 hours, 40 minutes agoAscaris on HP all-in-one printer in Mint
3 hours, 42 minutes agoMicrofix on Born: Reported profile problems with the newly updated Firefox
3 hours, 49 minutes agoCharlie on Born: Reported profile problems with the newly updated Firefox
3 hours, 58 minutes ago
Recent Topics
-
Domain computer upgrade to Win 10
2 hours, 14 minutes ago
-
Chasing the elusive upgrade for Win10 Pro v1803
2 hours, 43 minutes ago
-
Revert back to Win7 then install Win10
5 hours, 11 minutes ago
-
WiFi adapter is hung up after hibernating
5 hours, 50 minutes ago
-
How to Backup iPhone or iPad without iTunes in macOS Catalina
4 hours, 32 minutes ago
-
cldfit.sys Blue Screen of Death
5 hours, 58 minutes ago
-
Optimum TCP settings for Cloud Backup
4 hours, 48 minutes ago
-
Yes, there’s a crack to enable extended security updates on all Win7 machines. No, you shouldn’t count on it.
1 hour, 33 minutes ago
-
Can’t Seem To Get Update To Work
10 hours, 25 minutes ago
-
FYI KB4052623 just appeared / installed ok
12 hours, 59 minutes ago
-
Problem manually installing updates Win10 Pro
5 hours, 33 minutes ago
-
Patch Lady – status report on Windows 7 licenses
4 hours, 44 minutes ago
-
Patch lady – Alexa should be on her own network
12 hours, 20 minutes ago
-
'Link mismatch' post ver 1903
2 hours, 6 minutes ago
-
Preparing a Mac and iPad Switcher Guide for Windows 7 Users
7 minutes ago
-
New Desktop Build
4 hours, 3 minutes ago
-
Making Default Programs
3 hours, 59 minutes ago
-
"Unobtainable" printer drivers?
1 day, 4 hours ago
-
Update from 1803 to 1903 Now – how many days to select?
10 hours, 47 minutes ago
-
Plex Launched free streaming service in 220 countries
1 day, 1 hour ago
-
How to set avatar?
1 day, 18 hours ago
-
Review on Amazon Echo Buds
1 day, 17 hours ago
-
Apple TV+ Dolby Vision HDR Streams Failing
1 day, 23 hours ago
-
Chase bank is at it again with useragent sniffing
5 hours, 56 minutes ago
-
How does Windows Update work?
1 hour, 58 minutes ago
-
Windows 10 Insider Preview build 19037 (20H1) released to FAST & SLOW rings
2 days, 3 hours ago
-
What if I delete Internet Explorer?
1 day, 6 hours ago
-
Microsoft refuses to clarify policy on replacement Surface Pro 4’s
20 hours, 33 minutes ago
-
Windows update strange behaviour
2 days, 6 hours ago
-
Question about Trusted Installer?
9 hours, 6 minutes ago
Search for Topics
Recent blog posts
- Chasing the elusive upgrade for Win10 Pro v1803
- Yes, there’s a crack to enable extended security updates on all Win7 machines. No, you shouldn’t count on it.
- Patch Lady – status report on Windows 7 licenses
- Patch lady – Alexa should be on her own network
- Microsoft refuses to clarify policy on replacement Surface Pro 4’s
- Cimpanu: Most significant security events of the 2010s
- Microsoft to start pushing Win10 1809 customers onto 1909
- Original Surface Books with Swollen Batteries, a Cautionary Story
Copyright © 2019 AskWoody LLC. All rights reserved.