Re: wuauclt.exe Loading with Automatic Updates Off

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From: Buckeroo (Buckeroo_at_discussions.microsoft.com)
Date: 12/09/04

  • Next message: gman: "RE: Can't upgrade Windows Update" 
    Date: Thu, 9 Dec 2004 13:39:17 -0800

    > The AU Service starts because it is necessary if you want to visit the
    > Windows Update website to manually download updates.

    So WU website depends on the AU Service -- OK, that's fine. But I've found
    if you simply change Automatic Updates service from startup "Automatic" to
    "Manual", WU won't work. WU manages to start the Automatic Updates service
    but it STILL insists the service is disabled. This really is the salient
    question: WHY can't WU simply start the Automatic Updates service when you
    visit Windows Updates manually? Why does it insist the service must run
    automatically (even for users who have automatic updates turned off)?

    The only (technical) argument I can think of for wuauclt.exe to be
    "automatic startup" is it is required to assist installations post-reboot in
    the situation where an update requires a restart. But I don't buy that. Any
    install clean-up is going to be running at system permissions anyway and
    another service isn't technically necessary. And if the real reason is
    wuauclt "phones home" after the reboot to inform the "mother ship" of install
    success/failure, why can't those communications be queued and deferred until
    the next visit to WU?

    Those who don't like wuauclt.exe running all the time can enable/disable it
    during the times between visits to WU. But why is such rigamarole even
    necessary?

    My suspicion is Microsoft is preparing folks for the day when you CAN'T turn
    off automatic updates. If that's the case, they should be prepared for the
    predictable reaction amongst technically savvy users with a healthy suspicion
    of MS: time to find another OS.

  • Next message: gman: "RE: Can't upgrade Windows Update"
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