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

Computerworld Woody on Windows.

MS-DEFCON 2: Initial reports on the August 2018 Patch Tuesday crop are hopeful

But it’s still too early to patch. Of course.

As long as you don’t use Internet Explorer or Edge, and stay away from Flash — admonitions you’ve heard here for years — you should be secure while you wait for the all-clear on this month’s patches.

Accordingly, 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.

Computerworld Woody on Windows.

MS-DEFCON 2: Get auto update turned off — and watch out for SMBv1 blocking complications this month

Patch Tuesday’s tomorrow. You know what that means.

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.

Computerworld Woody on Windows

Turning the ratchet up to MS-DEFCON 2

I’ll have full instructions on Monday, but most of you know the drill.

I’m changing it now because I suddenly realized that some of you may be running Win10 1709 and clicking on “Check for updates.” (Thx, JL!)

If you did get pushed onto 1803, real quick, roll back to 1709 — Start > Settings > Update & security, on the left choose Recovery, on the right click to Roll back to previous version.

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.

MS-DEFCON 2: Get automatic update turned off in preparation for April 2018 Patch Tuesday

It’s time. Tomorrow is Patch Tuesday. Don’t let it catch you unaware.

(P.S. Spread the word. Friends don’t let friends update automatically.)

Computerworld Woody on Windows.

We’re 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.

MS-DEFCON 2: March Patch Tuesday is right around the corner — turn off Auto Update

Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more.

In preparation for tomorrow’s Patch Tuesday, 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.

Computerworld Woody on Windows.

MS-DEFCON 2 for Feb 2018: Make sure Automatic Update is turned off

Last month’s Patch Tuesday (and Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday) should prove, once again, that knowledgeable Windows users need to turn off Automatic Update.

Computerworld Woody on Windows.

Do me a favor, wouldja? If you bump into any of the self-proclaimed security “experts” who tell everyone to turn on Automatic Update, would you post a link to their drivel? I took a lot of guff for my posts a year ago, advising folks to turn off Automatic Update. If there’s anybody in the industry who’s still spreading that kind of hooey, I want to know who and why.

Reaffirming that we’re still at MS-DEFCON 2

There’s still no pressing reason to install the early crop of Patch Tuesday patches.

Computerworld Woody on Windows.

Correction: @teroalhonen notes that there’s no such thing as Win10 1511 LTSC. He’s right, my Computerworld article’s wrong. Win10 1511 is supported through April 2018, but only for Enterprise and Education editions.

But that brings up a related question. Why are the Surface firmware updates only going out to 1703 and 1709? What about 1607 and 1511? They’re both being supported.

UPDATE: We have a report of a BSOD with the Win7 32-bit patch. Details to follow.