After users complained that their installations of Vista and XP had been updated without notification or permissions, Microsoft is taking a stance by saying these updates were “normal” and that “there is no cause for alarm.”  The so-called “secret” updates are claimed to be part of Windows Update.

Normally when Windows Update is going to download and install files, it will ask you when and how to do so but recently users began noticing that up to nine files on Vista and XP had been changed or updated, and so the rumor mill began churning.

It’s not clear if Microsoft is now trying to defend itself but it does make sense that Windows Update also, needs updates, it just doesn’t notify you about its behavior.  In a bid to ease tension over the situation, the company has spoken out by saying, “Windows Update service automatically updates itself from time to time to ensure that it is running the most current technology.”  The spokesperson added that the system has always done this since it was put in use.

Believe the explanation or not, that’s the official line from the company courtesy of InfoWorld, “We could have been clearer on how Windows Update behaves when it updates itself.”

Well, now you know, if there is this mysterious update process after you reboot, rest assured, Microsoft isn’t trying to hack your computer, it is simply attempting to make sure (for your own safety) that Windows Update is using the latest technology possible.

The company will be taking steps in the future to make sure users know exactly what Windows Update is going to do to the system, don’t be surprised if there is at least one more episode like this before everything straightens out.

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Entry was posted on Thursday, September 13th, 2007 at 11:02 am under Microsoft, Uncategorized, Vista.  Print This Post

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