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Microsoft moving to cumulative update model for Win 7 and 8

posted 8 years ago by alpha128
2 replies | jump to latest

As has been reported, Microsoft is moving to cumulative updates for Windows 7 and 8 starting with October's Patch Tuesday:

http://www.infoworld.com/article/3115766/microsoft-windows/blame-microsoft-not-users-for-fragmented-patching-in-windows-7-and-81.html

Woody Leonard has now posted a blog entry entitled MS-DEFCON 3: Get Windows patched, gingerly: https://www.askwoody.com/2016/ms-defcon-3-get-windows-patched-gingerly/

Basically he says there are two options for Windows 7 and 8 users. Camp A users can continue to use Windows Update and should install all optional patches. Camp B users must stop using Windows Update and should manually download security rollups every month for the next 3+ years.

I say put me in Camp A#. I've installed the security updates, and the monthly rollups for May-August. I'll install the security updates for September and likely the monthly rollup as well. When October rolls around, I'll probably install those rollups from Windows Update. However, I'm not going to install anything else in advance. Nor am I lowering my Windows Update settings. Nor am I changing any settings I've done through GWX Control Panel.

In general I'm going to carry on and regard Microsoft as Spock regarded Captain Christopher in Tomorrow Is Yesterday (1967):
SPOCK: Mister Sulu, you and Captain Christopher will beam down with me. The captain will provide the co-ordinates for the transporter chief.
SULU: Shall I issue phasers?
SPOCK: One for you, one for me. Set them on heavy stun force.
SULU: Yes, sir. (leaves)
CHRISTOPHER: You don't trust me, Spock.
SPOCK: In fact, I do. But only to a certain point.

[–] Grayovac 8 years ago

[–] alpha128 8 years ago

Alpha128,

After all your (valid) concerns about the installation of non-security updates during "The Year of Living Dangerously" (aka the year since Windows 10 was released), I don't understand your decision to join camp A. Would manually installing the security updates really be that onerous? And I wouldn't be surprised if someone develops a utility to make that 'manual' process more automatic (I'd use the term "semi-automatic", but that makes me think of guns, and then I start thinking about just shooting my computer). - Grayovac

My computer is and will remain set for "Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them." I don't plan to install any updates through Windows Update without researching them first.

The big question is will Microsoft try to pull another fast one and install things on my computer that benefit them, not me. Now that "The Year of Living Dangerously" is over, and they are facing legal action on multiple fronts, one would hope that they would learn their lesson and act responsibly. If they don't, I am prepared to switch to Camp B. But for now there's no indication, based on the May-August rollups, that they are preparing another nefarious plot.

EDIT: As noted earlier, I consider myself in Camp A#, as in A-sharp, that is the note between A and B.