Microsoft Urging Customers To Uninstall An Update

Hmmmm...I haven't gotten around to installing the 8/12 updates yet and just looked at them. There are 15 of them but they all have numbers starting with KB. None of the descriptions say anything about addressing a font vulnerability. So I have no idea which one of these is the dreaded one that should be uninstalled (or not installed in my case).

The headline says it only applies to Windows 7. I'm an old fashioned Vista guy, and like Carolyn, my updates all are numbered KBxxxxxx. I downloaded some updates earlier today..

ThanK YoU So MucH FoR ThiS ImporTant inFoRMaTioN! :D

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Seems LikE MS CouLD HaVE aT LeasT Emailed TheiR CusTomerS! >:0(

James, I do have Windows 7. I did find the corresponding KB number (KB2982791) and a few articles on it. But it is very confusing. Even Microsoft's Knowledge Base response was confusing. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2982791. In Microsoft KB information section, they say to SKIP THE DETAILS in bold and to download the update at the Microsoft Update website now. I'm not sure how current that information really is. I think for now I'm going to skip the entire update altogether and wait for the next go 'round.

I'm running Vista, too, and downloaded the most recent updates. Everything running fine here.

This is the kind of stuff that makes we want to switch to linux...

According to this http://www.pcworld.com/article/2465631/microsoft-pulls-august-windows-update-after-crashes.html it's pretty much all versions of Windows, including Vista. It lists four bad update numbers 2982791, 2970228, 2975719, and 297533. I checked them against the updates I installed a few hours ago, and none of them were installed on my computer. So I guess I'm safe.

I'm on Xp...No mention of it...and I got some recent updates/ my pc was haywire yesterday...wonder if I should uninstall it?

Thanks for the heads up, Susan! I had two of the group installed on Saturday automatically and had not yet rebooted, so I uninstalled first thing this morning....good PSA!

All of my numbers start with KB. After the update, I was unable to network with my other older computer and my printer will not let me scan to a file using the buttons on the printer. I uninstalled KB 2982791 which is one of the numbers James gave us. Will have to wait for my son to come over and check my network problems.

Thanks for the heads-up. Just uninstalled the KB2982791 update. I run Vista, but haven't had any problems since installing the recent updates, but why take the chance.

If Microsoft can automatically install updates why can't they automatically uninstall the bad ones? I never got a notice from Microsoft. Do they expect us to rely on hearing about alerts originating from other sources?

"why can't they automatically uninstall the bad ones?"

Indeed. Apparently this update is bad for a lot of machines, but it is working fine for the vast majority. Software design and counter-design is a moving target. Very tricky.


Dan Turner
Dan Turner's Seven Keys to Selling Art Online

Just uninstalled 2, 2791 and 0228,which were the only 2 that I found. Is it possible they never got updated? Should I look somewhere else?

Rich

would a system restore to the day before the update work?

Thank you for this info, Susan!


"As an added precaution, Microsoft has removed the download links to the 2982791 security update.”

if they removed it...I'm removing it!...though I've had no problems with it so far.

I don't let them automatically update my computer...they tell me when they have them ready and I choose which ones I want
(as if I'm some sort of computer wiz, lol)

.

Lawrence, those instructions are only for people whose machines are completely hosed; meaning they can't start them at all.

Everyone else can just click Control Panel > Programs and Features > View Installed Updates and uninstall the selected entries.


Dan Turner
Dan Turner's Seven Keys to Selling Art Online

lol...thanks Dan...I just realized that and came to delete my post...thanks, man. ;)

I never install updates unless I absolute have to. When it comes from Microsoft, you can bet it will be screwed up. Largest fortune in the USA build on garbage with the exception of Waste Management of course. It is actually is based on garbage. lol

A few days ago, my laptop wouldn't start! Black screen, then the old B&W screen and "start normally" and a "fix it" meesage,which was recommended. None worked. After a few hours, of re-starting, it finally came on. I'm on Vista on the laptop and had no problems on the desktop and Win 7.

I removed the "2791" from the laptop,which was the only update that I could find,that was on the list of 4,

Rich

I have to say, this is a REALLY awesome fringe benefit of the Forum here on FAA. I don't participate frequently, however occasional peeks to test "room temperature" turn up some important information.

I have Windows 7. Saturday evening as I slept the computer updated. I've had no issues to date, and went into the control panel to check for installed updates (since reading this) going back to 8/12/14, and further to the 4 "bad" updates that James listed above.

Not really sure why it is, but none of those Windows updates have ever been installed automatically. I am feeling fortunate :))

Wow!!

This explains why my Win 7 system crashed (could not start-up) on the weekend. I let the fix-it mode proceed and selected the system restore (the wizard fix-it selected a restore point after the buggy Win 7 update, that didn't fix the issue so I forced a restore date before the last windows update) and I was fixed. 2 days later I let windows update happen and i see no presence of the buggy updates anymore. All is fine.

The bad news is a spent about an hour on this - the good news I cleaned up my machine, cleaned and deleted unnecessary files, cleaned up the registry, de-fragged my drive and made backups of important stuff, all of which I needed to do anyway.

By the Way, I never leave my FAA images or sole originals of documents on my C drive, I copy them to 2 external hard drives, one is in my safety deposit box at the bank.

Good job for those in this discussion, thanks for the alert! Now.....why did't Microsoft communicate this better??? Did they communicate this at all??? Why has Bill Gates returned to be the world's richest man???

Thomas, you said: "Not really sure why it is, but none of those Windows updates have ever been installed automatically. I am feeling fortunate :)) "

If you go into your Windows Update>Change settings, you will see how/if/when your updates are downloaded and installed.

Although I had checked "let me choose whether to install" (so it won't automatically interfere with what I am working on, which has happened in the past), when I shut down my computer the problematic updates were installed without any warning. I saw a "do-not-shut-down-while updates-are-installing" notice on the screen as I tried to power off.

Fortunately, I wasn't affected before I deleted the problematic ones a few days later, but had someone not sent me an email about this, I wouldn't have known to delete them. And I usually pay attention to the news.

I have a feeling certain updates are installed regardless of our settings.

I just had to spend 200 dollars to get the local person to fix my moms brand new HP laptop I just bought her last month. It had 8.0 on it. It updated and down it went. /sigh..Cant wait for 9 to come out.

thank you for the info Susan.