MS-DEFCON 5: Get all of your Microsoft patches applied

After last month’s monstrous Black Tuesday debacle, the September Black Tuesday patches had a couple of problems, but they’re resolved now. The two fourth-Tuesday patches are innocuous. It’s time to get caught up on patches, and it would be a good idea to advise your friends to get caught up, too.

September saw two pulled patches, and both have been re-issued with fixes.

It’s time to get caught up on all outstanding Microsoft patches. I’m setting the dial at MS-DEFCON 5: All’s clear. Patch while it’s safe. That doesn’t happen very often.

I’m still ambivalent about installing Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 7.

Get the patches installed by October 13 – October 14 is the next Black Tuesday, and I’m not expecting any significant patches to appear in the interim. (Although I may be surprised.)

And the usual fine print:

For those of you who are new to this game, keep in mind that… You should always use Windows Update to install patches; downloading and installing individual patches is a clear sign of impending insanity. I always install Windows Defender/Microsoft Security Essentials updates as soon as they’re available – same with spam filter updates. 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 almost never install “Recommended” patches (reader Marty suggests that you uncheck the Windows Update box that says “Give me the recommended updates the same way I receive important updates”). If Windows Update has a patch but the box isn’t checked, DON’T CHECK THE BOX. It’s like spitting in the wind. 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.

More Microsoft mind games surrounding Windows Technical Preview

Gotta admit that Waggener Edstrom is very good at the game.

InfoWorld Tech Watch

New leaked screenshots reveal more about Windows 9

Paul Thurrott leaked some of build 9841, and PainteR is at it again.

InfoWorld Tech Watch 

What to expect with Windows 9

A short, to-the-point review of what I’m expecting to see when MS shows off the Windows “9” Tech Preview on September 30.

InfoWorld Tech Watch.

Microsoft pulls botched KB 2982385 patch, MS 14-055 for Lync 2010

You probably don’t have Lync Server 2010, but Microsoft’s response to this patch represents a startling contrast to the good work we saw on KB 2889866.

InfoWorld Tech Watch

Check out the new web site design – and don’t be afraid to leave comments!

New Flash Player, Microsoft Security Essentials

This just in from EP…

Adobe has released a new set of security updates this September for Flash Player mentioned in Adobe security bulletin APSB14-21 . These security updates will update Flash Player to either v15.0.0.152 or v13.0.0.244.

Also being released is a new version of the Microsoft Security Essentials program which is v4.6.0305.0 posted Sept. 9 on the Microsoft Download Center:. This one requires either Windows Vista SP2 or Windows 7. Don’t bother downloading & installing this new MSE version if using XP or Windows 8.x.

Leaked Windows 9 screenshots look legit — and hold some surprises

There’s a set of 21 “likely good” Win9 screenshots making the rounds. Here are a few points you may have missed.

InfoWorld Tech Watch.

Why Microsoft pulling KB 2889866 OneDrive for Business patch is actually good news

Yep, it’s another botched September Black Tuesday patch – but this one’s different.

InfoWorld Tech Watch

Microsoft’s new Update Tuesday looks a whole lot like the old Black Tuesday

Although there were two feature improvements.

But if anybody tells you that this month’s Black Tuesday was a “small” collection, or that it was “light” — they’re just swallowing the Microsoft Kool-Aid. September’s Black Tuesday crop is huge.

InfoWorld Tech Watch.

Microsoft tries yet again to fix Surface Pro 3 Wi-Fi problems

This is the sixth firmware update in three months – and there are still reports of WiFi problems.

Seventh time’s a charm?

InfoWorld Tech Watch

Microsoft patch KB 2918614 triggers ‘key not valid for use in specific state’ and other errors

August’s Windows Installer Service patch causes a wide range of inscrutable problems on both Windows 7 and Windows 8 machines.

Thanks to poster Mike O for pointing me down this rabbit hole…

InfoWorld Tech Watch

MS-DEFCON 2: Skip August’s patches

It’s rare for me to recommend that you completely skip one month’s Black Tuesday patches, but that’s what I’m doing for the August crapfest.

Unless you use Windows Media Center (c’mon, I know there’s two of you), or you use OneNote 2007 Service Pack 3 to open Office files (there’s two more of you, total four), you’re better off skipping this month’s round and waiting for next month.

BUT you have to promise me you won’t use Internet Explorer. For most of you, that’s not a big deal. The IE patch rollup in August was breathtaking in size and depth.

I started trying to list all of the patches in the August crop that were botched. I got as far as the one changed patch number, and gave up. Believe me, there were lots and lots of botched patches in the August Black Tuesday crop — likely the most screwed-up month ever for Microsoft patches. And that’s saying something.

So, unless you use OneNote 2007 or WMC, and you can keep your fingers off of IE, you’re much better off waiting until Microsoft gets its act sorted out.

Assuming they do in September. Hope springs eternal.

I’m moving us to MS-DEFCON 2: Patch reliability is unclear. Unless you have an immediate, pressing need to install a specific patch, don’t do it. And I’m fully acknowledging that we’ve skipped the August Black Tuesday debacle entirely.

Microsoft bills itself as a productivity company. I’d sure like to see an analysis of how much productivity was created with the August Black Tuesday round.