Blog Archives

• MS-DEFCON 2: Incoming! Pause Windows and Office patches

  Posted on October 11th, 2020 at 22:56 woody Comment on the AskWoody Lounge

  October Patch Tuesday is just around the corner.

  Now’s a good time to make sure you have “Pause” set on your Win10 machines (or that you turn off Automatic Update on your Win7 and 8.1 machines).

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

  Windows Patches/Security MS-DEFCON 2, October 2020 Black Tuesday

• MS-DEFCON 2: Here comes the September Patch Tuesday. Batten down the hatches.

  Posted on September 7th, 2020 at 07:35 woody Comment on the AskWoody Lounge

  Tomorrow’s Patch Tuesday.

  Now would be a good time to check and make sure you have Windows Update paused.

  Or, if you’re particularly adept and are running Pro/Ed/Enterprise, set Windows Update to Notify before downloading and installing.

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

  Windows Patches/Security MS-DEFCON 2, September 2020 Black Tuesday

• MS-DEFCON 2: In preparation for the August 2020 Patch Tuesday, make sure automatic updating is turned off

  Posted on August 10th, 2020 at 07:00 woody Comment on the AskWoody Lounge

  Tomorrow’s the second Tuesday of the month – and  many of you know that means Microsoft has a wad of patches waiting to go barreling down the automatic update chute.

  There’s no reason to install any of the patches immediately, and loads of reasons to hold off until we’ve heard back from the early adopters (who frequently post here with tales of woe).

  Save yourself some gray hair and take a few minutes to make sure Windows Update is paused. You need to install the patches sooner or later, but not right away.

  We’ll keep up with the latest here, of course.

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

  Windows Patches/Security August 2020 Black Tuesday, MS-DEFCON 2

• MS-DEFCON 2: Patch Tuesday’s tomorrow – make sure you have Automatic Update paused

  Posted on July 13th, 2020 at 03:19 woody Comment on the AskWoody Lounge

  Once more around the ol’ Windows karmic wheel….

  Tomorrow’s Patch Tuesday. Today’s the day you should double-check and make sure you have Windows Update paused until the end of July or so.

  Details and step-by-step instructions in Computerworld Woody on Windows.

  Windows Patches/Security July 2020 Black Tuesday, MS-DEFCON 2

• MS-DEFCON 2: Make sure Windows has been set to pause updating

  Posted on May 11th, 2020 at 08:11 woody Comment on the AskWoody Lounge

  I’m not expecting a particularly interesting or difficult Patch Tuesday, but ya never know.

  It’s time to make sure your machine’s set to hold off on patching, for the time being. Let’s sit back and see what surprises await.

  (Or, if you’re in a pioneering mood, set Windows Update free, and report back to us if you hit any snags!)

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

  Windows Patches/Security May 2020 Black Tuesday, MS-DEFCON 2

• MS-DEFCON 2: April 2020 Patch Tuesday arrives tomorrow. Get automatic update locked down.

  Posted on April 13th, 2020 at 07:47 woody Comment on the AskWoody Lounge

  Tomorrow’s the second Tuesday of the month (it comes late this month) and that means the usual, uh, challenges with Windows and Office patches are just around the corner.

  Spare yourself some drama and make sure that automatic update is either turned off (for Win8.1) or set to Pause (for Win10) long enough to see what joys await.

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

  Windows Patches/Security April 2020 Black Tuesday, MS-DEFCON 2

• MS-DEFCON 2: Make sure Windows is locked down in preparation for the Feb 2020 patches

  Posted on February 10th, 2020 at 13:41 woody Comment on the AskWoody Lounge

  If you’re running Win10 version 1903 or 1909 and followed my instructions last month, you’re in good shape – you have Pause Update in effect for several more weeks.

  On the other hand… you really should check and make sure everything’s ready for tomorrow’s onslaught.

  Step-by-step instructions 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 February 2020 Black Tuesday, MS-DEFCON 2

• MS-DEFCON 2: Get Windows automatic update locked down

  Posted on September 9th, 2019 at 07:59 woody Comment on the AskWoody Lounge

  Tomorrow’s Patch Tuesday, and y’all know what that means. Take a few seconds right now to make sure Windows Automatic Update is turned off.

  If you’re running Win10 version 1903 (I’m not), it’s easier than ever.

  Details in Computerworld Woody on Windows.

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