Old Posted News

Place you can talk about other things not related to autopatcher.
User avatar
Whatacrock
Release Maintainer
Release Maintainer
Posts: 1967
Joined: Mon Oct 28, 2013 10:47 am
Location: Australia
Contact:

Re: Microsoft Re-Enables KB3035583 on Windows 7 to Force Windows 10 Upgrade

Post by Whatacrock »

Microsoft Releases Another Windows 7/8.1 Patch That Forces Windows 10 Upgrade

Yesterday we reported that KB3035583 has been re-enabled on a number of Windows 7 PCs in order to force the Windows 10 upgrade and it turns out that another patch is responsible for all of this.

Basically, Microsoft has rolled out another update that enables KB3035583, which in its turn activates the Get Windows 10 app and displays upgrade nags on Windows 7 and 8.1 computers.

The update in question is KB3150513 and is aimed at both Windows 7 and 8.1. Its purpose is to prepare computers running any of these two OS versions for the upgrade to Windows 10, but in order to do that, it has to un-hide the original KB3035583 patch that Microsoft uses for upgrade distribution.

The description that Microsoft offers in the KB page doesn’t include too many details, though:

“This update provides updated configuration and definitions for compatibility diagnostics performed on the system. The updated definitions will improve accuracy and help enable Microsoft and its partners ensure compatibility for customers who want to install the latest Windows operating system. This update will be offered only if KB2977759, KB2952664, or KB2976978 is installed on Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1), or Windows 7 RTM.”
"Compatibility issues scanner"

What’s more important than a sketchy description, however, is that this new update is offered as recommended, so it’s automatically checked in Windows Update for all computers configured to receive new patches from Microsoft. This means that Windows 10 upgrade nags could actually show up once again on pretty much every PC getting automatic updates.

It appears that KB3150513 makes modifications to AppRaiser, the Get Windows 10 app feature that checks for compatibilities on a Windows computer before the upgrade to Windows 10. This way, users can find out what apps are fully compatible with Windows 10 and which are going to be removed once the setup begins, letting them decide whether to initiate the upgrade immediately or delay it until compatibility issues are resolved.

For the moment, if you still don’t plan to upgrade to Windows 10, hiding both KB3150513 and KB3035583 seems to be quite a good idea. Keep in mind that the Windows 10 upgrade offer ends on July 29, so you should make a decision very fast.

http://news.softpedia.com/news/microsof ... 3754.shtml
"Now if you Sons of B*@ches got anything else to say, NOW'S THE F@#%ING TIME!!"
User avatar
Whatacrock
Release Maintainer
Release Maintainer
Posts: 1967
Joined: Mon Oct 28, 2013 10:47 am
Location: Australia
Contact:

Microsoft to Remove Windows 10 Upgrade Nags from Windows 7/8.1 on July 29

Post by Whatacrock »

Microsoft to Remove Windows 10 Upgrade Nags from Windows 7/8.1 on July 29

Back in June 2015, Microsoft rolled out an app supposed to make the transition from Windows 7 and 8.1 to Windows 10 as smooth as possible, as it was developed to check for compatibility issues and download all setup files automatically.

The so-called “Get Windows 10” app quickly became very annoying for users who just wanted to stick with their existing OSes. That's why many turned to third-party apps or more complex tricks to block the upgrade and get rid of the app.

Fortunately, Microsoft has just announced that it will remove the “Get Windows 10” app from Windows 7 and 8.1 PCs itself on July 29, when the free upgrade window to the new operating system comes to an end. At that point, no PC running Windows 7 or 8.1 would be able to upgrade to Windows 10 free of charge anymore, so the app will have no purpose.

“Details are still being finalized, but on July 29th the Get Windows 10 app that facilitates the easy upgrade to Windows 10 will be disabled and eventually removed from PCs worldwide. Just as it took time to ramp up and roll out the Get Windows 10 app, it will take time to ramp it down,” a company spokesperson is quoted as saying by WinBeta.
"Windows 10 will cost $119 after July 29"

Since the free upgrade will no longer be available, the only way to move from Windows 7 or 8.1 computers to Windows 10 after July 29 will be to purchase a license for the new operating system.

The Home edition will have the same price as on Windows 8.1, so it’ll cost $119 (€110), but given the fact that you still have time to move to Windows 10, you'd better consider your options.

If you do decide to give a chance to Windows 10, you can still go back anytime in the next 30 days without losing anything, but at least you’ll be able to install it once again after July 29 without paying a single cent.

http://news.softpedia.com/news/microsof ... 3734.shtml
"Now if you Sons of B*@ches got anything else to say, NOW'S THE F@#%ING TIME!!"
User avatar
TheAPGuy
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 979
Joined: Sun Oct 27, 2013 12:38 am
Location: California
Contact:

Re: Microsoft to Remove Windows 10 Upgrade Nags from Windows 7/8.1 on July 29

Post by TheAPGuy »

So... install windows 10... then go back to windows 7. YEARS from now... use windows 10 as the base for an upgrade to windows 20?
parkd1
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 333
Joined: Tue Jan 07, 2014 4:33 pm

Microsoft rolls out a cumulative update for Windows 10 that might cause your PC to run 'abnormally slow'

Post by parkd1 »

There’s a big Anniversary Update coming to Windows 10 in July and, in preparation for that, Windows Insiders have been receiving regular new builds packed with new features and improvements.

If you aren’t part of the Insider Preview program, and you’re running the standard version of Windows, there’s a cumulative update available today that will update your OS build to 10586.318. Unfortunately, some people are reporting it’s causing serious slowdowns.

According to Microsoft, update KB3156421 delivers various quality improvements and security fixes. Key changes include:

Improved reliability in a number of areas including Cortana, Bluetooth, Shell, Internet Explorer 11, Microsoft Edge, Miracast, and USB.
Fixed memory leak that occurs when opening a portable document format (PDF) form multiple times.
Fixed issues with text alignment for right to left languages in Internet Explorer 11 and Microsoft Edge.
Fixed issue that affected Bluetooth function when a PC resumes from sleep.
Fixed issue where user accounts weren't locked out after a number of failed sign in attempts.
Fixed issue with revised daylight saving time.
Fixed issue that sometimes corrupts CompactFlash cards inserted into a card reader.
Fixed issue that caused recorded video to be lost when answering an incoming call on some phones.
Fixed issue that could result in unexpected battery drain while the phone screen is off.
Fixed additional security issues with kernel mode drivers, remote procedure calls, the Microsoft Graphics Component, Internet Explorer 11, Microsoft Edge, Windows Shell, Windows Journal, Virtual Secure Mode, Schannel, and Jscript.

To get the new update, go to Settings > Update & security and check for new updates. If it’s already been installed, you’ll be able to update your system and action it.

However, over on Reddit, John Wink, Senior Program Manager Lead at Microsoft, posts about a potential problem to be aware of:

If you find that your PC is abnormally slow after installing the update, you may be seeing a problem that I’ve been trying to track down for a couple of weeks. Here’s something you can try to see if it alleviates the symptom. I’d love to hear the results of this test, and could really use your help in gathering additional information if indeed it rectifies the symptom for you. Please give this a shot and post your results to this thread. Thanks!

Steps to disable Cortana: Click in the Cortana search box to bring up Cortana

Click the Notebook

Click Settings

Move the slider under "Cortana can give you suggestions, ideas, reminders, alerts and more." to "Off".

While John Wink says elsewhere that it is "not a very wide-spread issue", it seems odd that Microsoft would push out an update with a known problem like this to all Windows users, even if there's a potential workaround available. Windows Insiders expect to encounter and report back on known issues, but regular Windows users don't. If you experience problems after installing the update, let us know in the comments below.

Windows 10 Mobile

For Windows 10 Mobile users, cumulative update 10.0.10586.318 introduces the following improvements:

Reliability, performance and stability improvements.
Fix for a problem that could result in unexpected battery drain while the phone screen is off.
Improvements to the update system to prevent phones getting into a state where attempting to take an update may lead to errors 0x800f081f or 0x80070570.
Fix for a problem that caused some phones to finish the initial setup wizard with an incomplete set of app tiles on the Start screen.
Improvements to the reliability of USB-C connections.
Improvements to Cortana, including a fix for a problem where music playback would not resume after dismissing an incoming text, and a problem with Quiet Hours not setting automatic rules for every day.
Fix for a problem that could result in the phone to hang or restart when visiting certain web pages in Microsoft Edge.
Fix for a problem that caused recorded video to be lost when answering an incoming call on some phones.
Improvements for reliability of internet connection sharing (ICS) and tethering.
Fix for a problem that caused the navigation bar to overlay and hide part of the screen for some apps on certain phones.

http://betanews.com/2016/05/10/win10-cu ... ally-slow/
User avatar
Whatacrock
Release Maintainer
Release Maintainer
Posts: 1967
Joined: Mon Oct 28, 2013 10:47 am
Location: Australia
Contact:

Microsoft Schedules Upgrade to Windows 10 Without Users’ Consent

Post by Whatacrock »

Microsoft Schedules Upgrade to Windows 10 Without Users’ Consent

Microsoft rolled out the Get Windows 10 app in mid-2015 to ease the transition to the new operating system with features that help you automatically scan PCs for software compatibility issues and download the necessary files to launch the installer.

But every once in a while, the Windows 10 upgrade process was started without the user’s consent, or at least that’s what many of those who just wanted to stick with Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 claimed, and it was all due to the Get Windows 10 app.

And it appears that the same app is now responsible for a different strategy that would ultimately push the Windows 10 upgrade on PCs running an older version of Windows, according to a report from Tom’s Hardware.

It appears that the Get Windows 10 app has started scheduling the upgrade to Windows 10 without actually asking users for permissions, which means that the process might actually start without them knowing about it.
"You can still cancel the upgrade"

If they spot the scheduled upgrade, they still have options to cancel the move to Windows 10, but otherwise, the process could start as planned. In other words, while Microsoft hopes to upgrade your computer to the new operating system, it’s not actually forcing it to initiate the process, only that you’re not informed about the scheduled upgrade.

On the other hand, with the free upgrade offer ending on July 29, time is running out for eligible Windows computers to make the move to Windows 10, so in case you do plan to perform the switch, there’s no better time to do it than right now.

The best thing about the Windows 10 upgrade is that you don’t necessarily have to continue using it because, once you install and activate your copy of the OS, you can safely downgrade while retaining the license. This means that you can return to Windows 10 at a later time without losing your license.

The Get Windows 10 app will be removed on July 29, when the free upgrade push ends, so you won’t hear any other reports about such attempts beyond this date.

http://news.softpedia.com/news/microsof ... 4095.shtml
"Now if you Sons of B*@ches got anything else to say, NOW'S THE F@#%ING TIME!!"
User avatar
Whatacrock
Release Maintainer
Release Maintainer
Posts: 1967
Joined: Mon Oct 28, 2013 10:47 am
Location: Australia
Contact:

Microsoft to Release Monthly Packs of Windows 7 and 8.1 Updates

Post by Whatacrock »

Microsoft to Release Monthly Packs of Windows 7 and 8.1 Updates

Microsoft has just announced that Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 PCs will receive monthly update rollups including non-security fixes in an attempt to simplify the update experience on these two versions of the operating system.

Basically, this means that, every month, users who are currently running either Windows 7 or 8.1 on their computers will no longer receive multiple non-security updates, but just a single pack, which they can install in one shot without the need for multiple system reboots.
"Only non-security fixes included"

Microsoft says that it’s doing this “to improve the reliability and quality of our updates” and explains that, in addition to Windows 7 Service Pack 1 and Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1, Windows Server 2012, and Windows Server 212 R2 are also included in this new release schedule.

“These fixes will be available through Windows Update, WSUS, and SCCM as well as the Microsoft Update catalog. We hope this monthly rollup update simplifies your process of keeping Windows 7, and 8.1 up-to-date,” Microsoft has explained today.

It’s important to note, however, that this monthly rollup only includes non-security updates, so you still have to get those security fixes that Microsoft launches every Patch Tuesday one by one.

Installing Windows 7 and 8.1 updates can often be a painful experience, especially because of the number of patches that Microsoft has released over time. For instance, a clean install of Windows 7 now has to install hundreds of updates without the recently released convenience rollup introduced today.

Although this decision comes a little bit too late, given the fact that Microsoft is now focusing more on Windows 10, it’s still a welcome change since nearly 50 percent of the PCs around the world are still running Windows 7. Support for this OS version ends in January 2020, and there’s no doubt that Windows 7 will continue to be the leading desktop platform despite Microsoft’s push for Windows 10.

http://news.softpedia.com/news/microsof ... 4185.shtml
"Now if you Sons of B*@ches got anything else to say, NOW'S THE F@#%ING TIME!!"
User avatar
Whatacrock
Release Maintainer
Release Maintainer
Posts: 1967
Joined: Mon Oct 28, 2013 10:47 am
Location: Australia
Contact:

Microsoft Releases Windows 7 Convenience Rollup, Closest Thing to Service Pack 2

Post by Whatacrock »

Microsoft Releases Windows 7 Convenience Rollup, Closest Thing to Service Pack 2

If you’re still on Windows 7, and the chance are that you are, given the fact that nearly 50 percent of PCs out there are still running this OS version, here’s something that could really come in handy.

Microsoft has just introduced the so-called Windows 7 SP1 convenience rollup, which is a collection of patches and updates that users of this particular OS version can install to bring their computers up to date.

As you certainly know, installing an older version of Windows from the original disc is quite a painful thing to do because you then have to install tons of updates, many of which require a reboot before completing the process. But with this convenience rollup, everything is getting significantly easier as you just have to install this one, and your PC is brought up to date.
"Not Service Pack 2, but it’s the next best thing you’ll get"

Although it’s very important to note that this isn’t Service Pack 2, it’s pretty close to it, as it contains security and non-security fixes released between the launch of Service Pack 1 and April 2016. Internet Explorer 11 patches are no included because they are released separately, and neither are updates to .NET.

Once you install the convenience rollup, you only need to deploy patches rolled out after April 2016, so your job is a lot simpler.

What’s important to note, however, is that this new pack of updates is not available via Windows Update, and you need to manually download it using this link. Before applying it, you have to install the April 2015 servicing stack update for Windows 7, known as KB3020369. It goes without saying that you must be running Windows 7 Service Pack 1.

Microsoft says that this update can also be injected into Windows 7 SP1 media, so when you clean-install Windows 7, the PC automatically deploys patches that are included in the convenience rollup too.

http://news.softpedia.com/news/microsof ... 4184.shtml
"Now if you Sons of B*@ches got anything else to say, NOW'S THE F@#%ING TIME!!"
parkd1
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 333
Joined: Tue Jan 07, 2014 4:33 pm

Re: Microsoft Releases Windows 7 Convenience Rollup, Closest Thing to Service Pack 2

Post by parkd1 »

Microsoft brings Windows 7 fully up-to-date with new convenience rollup package, simplifies future updates for Win 7 and 8.1

While Microsoft is desperate to get as many users as possible on to Windows 10 before the free period expires at the end of July, it hasn’t entirely forgotten about its previous operating systems.

The software giant today announces it has created a convenience rollup package for Windows 7 that will bring that operating system up to the newest patched version without users having to install all previous updates one by one. It’s also making monthly update rollups available for that OS and Windows 8.1 (as well as Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1, Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2012 R2).

SEE ALSO: It may not be new, but Microsoft scheduling unwanted Windows 10 upgrades is still scummy behavior

If you’re running Windows 7 the chances are you have SP1 installed (if you don’t you can install it). This new convenience rollup package contains all of the updates released after that service pack.

Announcing the move, Microsoft says:

This convenience rollup package, available to download from http://catalog.update.microsoft.com/v7/ ... ?q=3125574, contains all the security and non-security fixes released since the release of Windows 7 SP1 that are suitable for general distribution, up through April 2016. Install this one update, and then you only need new updates released after April 2016.

And since this update can be injected into Windows 7 SP1 media, it’s fully supported to mount a Windows 7 SP1 image (WIM file), then inject this update into it. See https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/lib ... s.10).aspx for the details of how to do this.

This convenience update is completely optional; it doesn’t have to be installed and won’t even be offered via Windows Update -- you can choose whether or not you want to use it.

We hope that you find this convenience rollup package useful. This same convenience rollup also applies to Windows Server 2008 R2.

The new monthly roll ups will contain all non-security updates and be available through Windows Update, WSUS, and SCCM as well as the Microsoft Update catalog.

Microsoft says it hopes this monthly update will simplify the process of keeping Windows 7, and 8.1 up-to-date.

Without wishing to be too cynical -- since this is unquestionably a positive move from Microsoft -- it will of course also mean that users of older operating systems who install the rollup won’t have any control over exactly what updates they install, which will include ones designed to push Windows 10. Just sayin’.

You can find out more about the Convenience rollup update for Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 here.

The process of finding and downloading updates will also be simplified. Microsoft says:

Updates have historically been published on the Microsoft Download Center and the Microsoft Update Catalog. Security Bulletins have linked directly to update packages on the Microsoft Download Center. To simplify this, within the next few months Windows updates will no longer be available from the Microsoft Download Center. Security bulletins will continue to link directly to the updates, but will point to the packages on the Microsoft Update Catalog instead of the Microsoft Download Center. Customers that use tools linking to the Microsoft Download Center should follow the links provided in the Security Bulletins or search directly on the Microsoft Update Catalog.

For those who aren’t familiar with the Microsoft Update Catalog website, note that it still requires using Internet Explorer at this point because of an ActiveX control used. Later this summer, we will be updating the site to eliminate the ActiveX control in order to support other browsers.

As always, all updates will still be available via WSUS, SCCM, and Windows Update -- this change is only for manual downloads.

http://betanews.com/2016/05/17/windows- ... ce-rollup/
User avatar
Whatacrock
Release Maintainer
Release Maintainer
Posts: 1967
Joined: Mon Oct 28, 2013 10:47 am
Location: Australia
Contact:

Re: Microsoft Releases Windows 7 Convenience Rollup, Closest Thing to Service Pack 2

Post by Whatacrock »

Windows 7 Service Pack 2: Why the World Needs It

Statistics provided by various market researchers around the world show that Windows 7 continues to be the top desktop operating system out there, with a share that’s near the 50 percent threshold.

Although figures vary from one analyst firm to another, it’s very clear that Windows 7 continues to be a very popular choice for Windows users. And it’s no wonder why: it runs smoothly even on old PCs, looks good, can still work with today’s tech and enjoys full support from software developers.

It goes without saying that if you’re sticking with Windows 7, you’re not feeling left behind, although there’s one thing that’s likely to give you headaches: updating the system.

Windows 7 was launched in October 2009, and since then, users had to update their computers every month to make sure that they’re fully up to date. For those with automatic updates turned off, getting all updates at a certain point was a nightmare, pretty much because their machines had to download tens or even hundreds of updates, reboot, then download other updates, then reboot again, and so on.

Microsoft addressed this problem in February 2011, when it shipped the Service Pack 1, a pack of updates that included all the previously released patches, making it possible for Windows 7 users to install all of them at once without having to go through the pain of Windows Update.

Since then, everyone has been waiting for a second service pack, but unfortunately, Microsoft had different plans.
"Hundreds of updates for a Windows 7 clean install"

If you’re clean-installing Windows 7 today, you’re probably noticing that, in order to bring the PC fully up to date, you need to install more than 200 updates, which takes at least a couple of hours in the best-case scenario. This is because, since the release of Service Pack 1 in February 2011, Microsoft has never provided users with another cumulative update for Windows 7, so you basically have to get all the updates that the company rolled out in the last 5 years or so.

Microsoft kind of addressed this problem with Windows 10 and started shipping cumulative updates (which are releases containing all the previously introduced patches, so you install the latest one, and you get everything), and now it’s working to do the same with Windows 7. Without rolling out a second service pack, that is.

The company has recently launched what is being called the “Convenience rollup update for Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1,” which is a different way of saying service pack. It includes all updates launched between Windows 7 Service Pack 1 and April 2016, so if you install this one, you only have to get patches rolled out beyond this date.

In order to install the new convenience rollup, you have to install the April 2015 servicing stack update for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 (KB3020369), which is a prerequisite in order to see the download. At least 4 GB of free disk space is needed, and it’s worth noting that disk usage will increase with 1 GB to GB after installing it.

What’s next for Windows 7 users? Hard to predict, but don’t expect another convenience update too soon. Microsoft has promised to release packs of non-security updates for Windows 7 and 8.1 every month, but there’s no word on any other convenience rollups or service packs.

http://news.softpedia.com/news/windows- ... 4246.shtml
"Now if you Sons of B*@ches got anything else to say, NOW'S THE F@#%ING TIME!!"
ChrisJ
Posts: 353
Joined: Sun Oct 27, 2013 3:32 am

7-Zip vulnerability...

Post by ChrisJ »

Everyone should head over to gHacks and read this short article on the recently discovered vulnerabilities in older versions of 7-Zip, prior to v16. AP should also update its 7-Zip tools -- hopefully for AP 5756 too, some of us still use it. 7-Zip v16.01 is already out. The Talos article is worth the time as well :!:

gHacks article :arrow: http://www.ghacks.net/2016/05/13/7zip-v ... -software/
Talos :arrow: http://blog.talosintel.com/2016/05/mult ... ities.html
7-Zip Home :arrow: http://www.7-zip.org/

So so many apps make use of 7-Zip functionality, make sure all of your tools are updated. It may or may not work to simply drop an updated dll and overwrite the old version -- but part of the problem are the commands so some code change is needed as well. Keep track of your apps and pay attention if the devs are making changes. If they aren't make sure they provide a reasonable defense for keeping the old versions and their old commands in place.
Post Reply