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Microsoft has set up a comprehensive infrastructure for the delivery and deployment of updates targeting its Windows operating system. Although the company is not yet ready to abandon the practice of issuing service packs for its platforms, it has indicated that large refreshes are becoming less relevant, and on their way to be declared obsolete due to Windows Update. But at the same time, Windows Update is by no means a foolproof system. In fact, Microsoft indicated that under some circumstances, updates delivered via the service and Windows Vista will not mix, and generate a variety of issues.

This is why the Redmond company is offering two updates, addressing both 32-bit and 64-bit editions of Vista. The BITS Repair Tool for Windows Vista is designed to resolve corruptions of the BITS state files. “After you download updates from Windows Updates on a Windows Vista-based computer, you may experience the following symptoms: (more…)

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The default Windows XP installation contains a number of unnecessary services that are started by default. Extra running services consume CPU cycles and memory. To free up system resources and tune your operating system for optimum performance, you can stop and disable the services. The list (below) details those that may be unnecessary:

NOTE: I recommend disabling one at a time. If you notice problems in your programs, then undo what you have done.

* Alerter: Notifies selected users and computers of administrative alerts.
* Application Layer Gateway Services: Provides support for 3rd party protocol plugins for Internet Connection Sharing and the Internet Connection Firewall.
* Application Management: Provides software installation services such as Assign, Publish, and Remove. (more…)

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I am indebted to the excellent Windows Secrets website for news of an alarming development last August involving Windows XP and Vista silently installing executable files, even though users had disabled automatic updates. So fare nine files have been identified, there may be more, and whilst the files appear to be benign it does raise the very serious question about Microsoft loading programs on PCs without users knowledge or permission.

The file downloads occur when users select the ‘Let me choose when to install or notify me but don’t automatically download or install’ option in Security Centre. The revelation appears to have embarrassed Microsoft into issuing an explanation and guarded apology, which basically says that whilst deselecting Automatic Updates does indeed stop any new updates, it doesn’t stop Windows Update updating itself. (more…)

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