Repetitive Windows updates. How do I stop them?.

mickledore

mickledore

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This goes back a bit to the Nik problem with Photoshop. On the advice of the club geek I downloaded and ran a "tidy-up" programme before we knew the problem lay with Google. This programme was super - it tidied up everything. Every dam*d thing. It tidied up stuff that didn't need tidying up eg:- it has removed the last two years Windows updates. GRRR! I've got my money back but am left with the following problem.

All the Windows updates that have been wiped out are now coming back to me. The problem is that three of them have become stuck. They are always there waiting to be applied. As soon as I apply them they come back waiting to be applied once again. It's as though some marker that tells Windows that the updates are in place isn't functioning properly. I know diddly squat about computers, but have followed a trail through the update screen and have been given an error code. This told me to download something from Windows that would cure the problem. I got a message saying that all is clear, but the effin updates still appear, and it's driving me nuts.

I know they are the same ones because my update history is swamped with the same three update references.

There must be somewhere in Windows/updates where I can say that the updates are no longer wanted, but as I say, I know nowt about such things.

Can anyone with in depth knowledge tell me in simple English how to stop these annoying updates from reappearing?
 
Best thing is to search the Kb number on ms website, download and install manually and see if they go away.

Incidentally "clean up" programs often cause more bother than they're worth.
 
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Uninstallers are a lot better than they used to be. Just don't install crap software and uninstall what you don't need.
 
The only time I had something similar I just installed the problem updates individually :shrug:
 
Yip. Try downloading and installing the updates manually. I'd also avoid downloading clean up programmes. A lot of them claim to have found all sorts of issues, but will only "repair" some of them unless you buy the full version, or cause other problems. The worst ones can install unwanted search engines, toolbars and other malware which can be tricky to remove too. If your computer becomes really clunky, and/or you suspect corruption issues, just back up everything, reformat and reinstall the programmes and data. My three year old Sony Vaio was giving me grief, and it's running like a new machine since I did this.
 
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Thanks guys. It's a bit more complex than I first thought.
I went into Windows and carried out all their approved fixes but nothing changed.
The Windows forum is full of complaints about these three updates that are causing lots of problems to other folk. There are reports of crashes and malfunctions, even of purple screens after installation. At least mine have downloaded successfully and all I'm getting is repeat applications. I've switched off automatic updates for a while, and will see what happens before I start meddling any further.
 
Here are the three details of the updates. As you can see installation was successful, many, many times over! As yet I've not found anyone with exactly the same problem, or who has solved any problems that have been caused. But many updates must have been successful and passed unnoticed. Any hapl you could give will be appreciated.


1) Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2676562)

Installation date: ‎12/‎11/‎2013 15:12

Installation status: Successful

Update type: Important

A security issue has been identified that could allow an unauthenticated remote attacker to compromise your system and gain control over it. You can help protect your system by installing this update from Microsoft. After you install this update, you may have to restart your system.

More information:
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=244692

Help and Support:
http://support.microsoft.com


2) Security Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2872339)

Installation date: ‎12/‎11/‎2013 15:12

Installation status: Successful

Update type: Important

A security issue has been identified in a Microsoft software product that could affect your system. You can help protect your system by installing this update from Microsoft. For a complete listing of the issues that are included in this update, see the associated Microsoft Knowledge Base article. After you install this update, you may have to restart your system.

More information:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2872339

Help and Support:
http://support.microsoft.com

3) Update for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB2882822)

Installation date: ‎12/‎11/‎2013 15:12

Installation status: Successful

Update type: Recommended

Install this update to resolve issues in Windows. For a complete listing of the issues that are included in this update, see the associated Microsoft Knowledge Base article for more information. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.

More information:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2882822

Help and Support:
http://support.microsoft.com
 
interesting, theyre all pretty old (updates that we've had approved for at least 1 month for the newest one) and we've had no machines reject any updates through WSUS.

i think this may be related to the "clean up" program taking out the updates and your system thinks theyre still there.

have you tried the download the individual update exe/msi files and install route yet?
 
have you tried the download the individual update exe/msi files and install route yet?

Yes, I've done that. It was part of a routine that Windows pointed me at to solve the problems with these updates. But it hasn't worked.
 
Have you tried to restore your computer to before you used this cleaner?
 
In that case, leave the Windows Update off and enjoy your computer.
 
Thanks! I was planning to just to a manual update once a week, and install all the new ones except these three. Bit of PIA, but that's life.
 
Might be simpler just to back up all the data, reformat and reinstall everything. You'll get all the benefits of the reinstall and Windows should download the updates without any hiccups. This quite straightforward, but any local computer dealer should be able to do it for you if you're not comfortable doing it yourself.
 
Yes, I did think of that. Trouble is I've got so much damned stuff on here that would need re-installing I keep hoping for an easier way out!
 
I have auto updates switched off and use this site to advise me when to update. If you paste your first update number into the search box on that site it gives some info about constant re-offering of that update.
 
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Thanks, that's interesting. I've worked through their suggestions, but the fixes offered are for XP and won't be accepted in Win7. I'm still assuming that the updates were loaded when they initially came down some weeks ago. It's finding what's changed that's the challenge, and I know little about the finer points of Windows to do anything with confidence!
 
neil_g said:
why would you even do that?
Click to expand...

Because of all the problems that updates can cause?
I have been doing this for many years now without problems, before that there were numerous problems caused by certain updates. Maybe Microsoft has improved since than?
The site is by Woody Leonhard who writes a lot of the Dummy books and certainly knows more than I do :)
 
Suvv said:
Because of all the problems that updates can cause?
I have been doing this for many years now without problems, before that there were numerous problems caused by certain updates. Maybe Microsoft has improved since than?
The site is by Woody Leonhard who writes a lot of the Dummy books and certainly knows more than I do :)
Click to expand...
does he test every update with every single possible software configuration then?

that site is pretty dangerous and misleading/scaremongering if you ask me.
 
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neil_g said:
does he test every update with every single possible software configuration then?

that site is pretty dangerous and misleading/scaremongering if you ask me.
Click to expand...

Fair enough. It works for me and I will continue to use it. :)
 
Hmm, my knowledge is rather limited but my Windows auto updates work flawlessly. If this was the case before the OP downloaded the cleaner, it sounds as if it made some changes and this has caused the problem? I know reformatting and reinstalling is a pain, but it really does seem to be the simplest solution and might be quicker in the long run.
 
.......
 
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Not sure this applies to critical updates but you can usually right click them and tell Windows to hide that specific update.

On the other hand it's important to make sure you have recent bug fixes and security updates, you'd probably be best served by re-installing Windows so you have a correctly functioning copy.
 
I've tried the right click thingy, but that doesn't work The problem is that they are apparently installed, so I can't do much to them. But something somewhere tells Microsoft that they are not installed. I'm going round in circles trying to sort it.

A very stoopid question next...

If I just bang the Windows disc in and run it what will that do? Will it wipe everything off, or will it try and install itself and whatever bits might be missing?
Just trying to save having to wipe everything off and start again, but I don't know if this is sensible.
 
AFAIK, and I stress that I'm not an expert, you can do this without reformatting providing you have a full installation disk for the version of Windows you're using. Microsoft don't supply these with new machines any more, unless you bought it separately, and a repair or recovery disk won't work. These are designed for a different purpose. I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will be along to advise though.

Is this a good idea, assuming you have the disk? I suppose it's worth trying, but I'd still prefer a reformat and fresh install. Your computer should run faster and cleaner afterwards, and it's a good opportunity to decide if you really need everything that's on it!
 
Yes, it's a genuine Win7 disc with kosher password. I know starting from scratch is the ideal solution, but I'm looking for shortcuts - as ever!
 
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mickledore said:
......................

A very stoopid question next...

If I just bang the Windows disc in and run it what will that do? Will it wipe everything off, or will it try and install itself and whatever bits might be missing?
Just trying to save having to wipe everything off and start again, but I don't know if this is sensible.
Click to expand...

There should be a repair option but doubt it will sort your problem.

If you miss the repair option or hit the wrong key it's likely that you will reinstall the OS.

All in all, my advice is forget it and keep the Updates off.
 
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