Newsletter Archives

• MS-DEFCON 3: Time to apply April’s Black Tuesday patches, but there are several caveats

  Posted on May 6, 2014 at 14:27 CDT by woody • Comment in the Forums

  I’ve been holding off, hoping that Microsoft would get its act together so I could give a blanket “go ahead and patch” signal. Ain’t gonna happen.

  With a few grizzly exceptions, last month’s patches look good to go. In general, now is a good time to run Windows Update and install any of the CHECKED updates, but there are exceptions.

  Windows 8.1 users: Go ahead and run KB 2919355, Windows 8.1 Update. Lots of people have problems installing the update, but it doesn’t look like a failed update causes any lasting damage. If you get an error code when installing the update, don’t get overly stressed: Look here to see if it’s been discussed, and post a comment, either on the Microsoft Answers Forum, or on AskWoody.

  Windows 8 users: You should weigh whether you want to get on the Windows 8.1 Update forced patch treadmill. If you have Windows 8, and haven’t yet installed Windows 8.1, it’d be smart to wait a few more weeks and see if Microsoft changes its mind about future patches for Windows 8.1.

  Windows 7 users: You’ll probably see KB 2952664 listed, but not checked. Unless you plan to perform an in-place upgrade from your current Windows 7 machine to Windows 8 or 8.1, I suggest that you make sure the box is unchecked, and that you don’t install KB 2952664.

  Internet Explorer 10 users: I still don’t see any overwhelming need to install IE 11. But I still see a lot of merit in using Firefox or Chrome.

  Everybody, including Windows XP users: Yes, go ahead and install the KB 2963983 patch to IE. 

  I think that covers all of the current problems. Nudge me in the comments if  you have other recommendations.

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

  Windows Patches/Security April 2014 Black Tuesday

• An update on MS-DEFCON level this month

  Posted on May 5, 2014 at 19:17 CDT by woody • Comment in the Forums

  I had high hopes that Microsoft’s latest version of KB 2919355 would solve the installation problems folks were having with Windows 8.1 Update. At this point, it’s still too early to tell if it’ll work or not.

  I also had high hopes that the fix would be good enough for me to change the MS-DEFCON level. It isn’t.

  So I’m sitting on a fence, waiting on results of the new KB 2919355. Bear with me.

  In the meantime, I definitely won’t be recommending that Windows 7 users install KB 2952664, unless they expect to perform an in=place upgrade to Windows 8 — and I’d guess there are maybe ten people in the world gullible enough to go that route.

  I’ll also be recommending that XP users install the IE patch, 2963983 — and in the same breath reminding XP users that they shouldn’t be using IE.

  So unless you want to be part of the vanguard, hold off on applying April’s Black Tuesday patches, until we have a better feel for KB 2919355.

  Windows Patches/Security April 2014 Black Tuesday

• Windows 8.1 Update woes continue with errors 80070020, 80073712, 800F081F, 80242FFF, and 800F0922

  Posted on April 11, 2014 at 00:14 CDT by woody • Comment in the Forums

  WSUS is still down, as general update failures and complaints pile up in the two days since the release of Windows 8.1 Update.

  InfoWorld Tech Watch.

  Windows Patches/Security April 2014 Black Tuesday, Windows 8.1 update

• Is Windows Update’s huge Visio 2013 patch a joke?

  Posted on April 9, 2014 at 19:11 CDT by woody • Comment in the Forums

  Bizarre, gigantic update appears in the Windows Update chute.

  Another good reason to not allow Automatic Updates!

  InfoWorld Tech Watch.

  Windows Patches/Security April 2014 Black Tuesday, Visio

• MS-DEFCON 2: Lock down your machine

  Posted on April 9, 2014 at 06:53 CDT by woody • Comment in the Forums

  The April Black Tuesday patches are out, and there doesn’t appear to be any screaming need to install any of them immediately.

  Usual drill applies: Wait until we’ve had a chance to see what kinds of evil lurk within.

  I’m moving us up 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 April 2014 Black Tuesday