Blog Archives

• MS-DEFCON 2: Get your machine braced for the Windows and Office patches due tomorrow

  Posted on April 8th, 2019 at 11:52 woody Comment on the AskWoody Lounge

  It’s that time again.

  With a little luck, we’ll have more options by the time the May or June Patch Tuesdays come around, but for now it’s the same-old same-old.

  Details in Computerworld Woody on Windows.

  Windows Patches/Security April 2019 Black Tuesday, MS-DEFCON 2

• MS-DEFCON 2: Make sure your machine’s set to block automatic updates

  Posted on March 11th, 2019 at 05:16 woody Comment on the AskWoody Lounge

  With Patch Tuesday coming tomorrow, there are all sorts of threatening scenarios at work.

  Worst case: Microsoft declares that Win10 version 1903 is ready for distribution. We used to call that “Currrent Branch” and then “Semi-Annual Channel.” Now, I’m not sure what it’s called. Perhaps RTM? I still like the term “Guinea Pig edition.”

  Anyway, now’s the time to make sure you’ve gummed up the automatic update works. Full instructions in Computerworld Woody on Windows.

  Windows Patches/Security March 2019 Black Tuesday, MS-DEFCON 2

• MS-DEFCON 2: It’s time, once again, to make sure Windows Automatic Updating is blocked

  Posted on February 11th, 2019 at 06:12 woody Comment on the AskWoody Lounge

  Tomorrow’s Patch Tuesday so that means today is… Block Monday. As in blockhead. Don’t be one. Make sure you have Automatic Update well and thoroughly turned off.

  Full step-by-step details in Computerworld Woody on Windows.

  This bears repeating:

  The current beta test version of the next (“19H1” or “1903”) version of Win10 Home includes the ability to Pause updates for seven days. While that’s certainly a step in the right direction, it doesn’t help much in the real world:

  • You can only Pause once, and only for seven days
  • You can’t Pause again without accepting all backed-up updates in the interim
  • You have to know in advance that a bad update is coming down the pike –  there’s no warning

  All of which makes Win10 Home “Pause updates” a really nifty marketing setting (“Look! You can pause updates in Win10 Home!”) that’s basically useless. Unless you’re Carnac the Magnificent.

  Windows Patches/Security February 2019 Black Tuesday, MS-DEFCON 2

• MS-DEFCON 2: Microsoft’s already yanked four patches. Best to verify Auto Update is turned off

  Posted on January 7th, 2019 at 05:43 woody Comment on the AskWoody Lounge

  The holidays are over, but the Grinch is still on the loose. Make sure your machine is locked down.

  Computerworld Woody on Windows.

  Windows Patches/Security January 2019 Black Tuesday, MS-DEFCON 2

• MS-DEFCON 2: December Patch Tuesday arrives tomorrow; get your machine locked down

  Posted on December 10th, 2018 at 06:45 woody Comment on the AskWoody Lounge

  My usual monthly admonition applies: Make sure your computer is locked down, to avoid surprises on Patch Tuesday.

  I don’t expect a very big Patch Tuesday, frankly, except for those of you on Win10 1809 (who will get to absorb the contents of last week’s non-security cumulative update). Still, even if it’s a rather uneventful Patch Tuesday, you’d be well advised to turn auto updates off.

  Computerworld Woody on Windows.

  Windows Patches/Security December 2018 Black Tuesday, MS-DEFCON 2

• MS-DEFCON 2: Turn off automatic updates, adjust Win10 Pro if you have it, and let’s see what surprises this month’s patching will bring

  Posted on November 12th, 2018 at 09:28 woody Comment on the AskWoody Lounge

  Tomorrow’s Patch Tuesday, and you know what joy that will bring.

  I have a full description of my new recommendations for Win10 Pro update deferrals, and a refresher course on metered connections for Win10 Home, in Computerworld Woody on Windows.

  We’re at 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 MS-DEFCON 2, November 2018 Black Tuesday

• MS-DEFCON 2: Still waiting on results for the Win10 cumulative updates

  Posted on October 25th, 2018 at 08:05 woody Comment on the AskWoody Lounge

  Patch Lady Susan Bradley says she managed to get all of the October patches installed without incident.

  I’m still waiting on reports about the massive Win10 cumulative updates, released last week and this week.

  Details on the latest cumulative update, for Win10 version 1803, in Computerworld Woody on Windows.

  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.

  I’m still skeptical, and advise that you hold off on patching for now.

  Windows Patches/Security MS-DEFCON 2, October 2018 Black Tuesday

• MS-DEFCON 2: Time to make sure Windows Automatic Update’s turned off

  Posted on September 10th, 2018 at 07:29 woody Comment on the AskWoody Lounge

  Computerworld Woody on Windows.

  Windows Patches/Security MS-DEFCON 2, September 2018 Black Tuesday
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