Vista - Vista Outrage with updates

I think that Windows 7 is thinly veiled plot to control premium content and the rest is subterfuge. Am I paranoid? I had refrained from installing SP1 for Vista Ultimate on my machine although curiosity got the better of me when I finally installed SP1 and, as one might guess, my system was wiped. No big deal. I lost a few days worth of work although, after my rage subsided , I restored Vista. Then, for the first time in almost two years I turned on Windows updates. In this way, I could see the net effect of automatic updates. I could see that my entire system has been wiped again and irreversibly altered. Spyware has infected my machine , a variety of functions are no longer operable . Hasn't anyone noticed that Updates can change the operation of Windows? A few days later my desktops were also wiped out while trying to install SP1.

Sorry but I can't say that I have. Not only is SP1 installed on Vista but the SP2 beta as well. I've been hearing favorable reports from others who elected to install the beta for the upcoming second service pack.

G'Day chuckm07,

First of all, I am obliged to welcome you to the Vista Forums and hope that you will find it a most helpful experience. However I must recommend that you find EVERY post that you possibly can on Windows Updates, and read them all.

This is because secondly, it is NOT the fault of Windows Updates for the cause of the problems that you are, or have been experiencing with YOUR system. I highlight that word, because Windows Updates is not responsible for the operation of YOUR system, that alone is YOUR responsibility, and you must live with the choices that YOU make.

How you have managed without automatic updates for nearly two years, is beyond me, and the likely effects of this.......

quote..... Then, for the first time in almost two years I turned on Windows updates. In this way, I could see the net effect of automatic updates. I could see that my entire system has been wiped again and irreversibly altered. Spyware has infected my machine , a variety of functions are no longer operable ......unquote.

........have been caused by the person sitting in the chair, in front of your PC.

The whole point of automatic Windows Updates is provide you, the User, with a platform that provides 'prompts' for you to do something to either improve, enhance or add security for YOUR operating system. If you make the choice to ignore Windows recommendations, then you must bear the consequences for making that choice.

I've had my system since June '07, just before SP1 was released, and with just one exception [with Office 2007], have never had any of the problems that you refer to. Whenever I open up, Windows Updates is my first 'click' for the day. And I don't just install for the sake of it either, I have a read of what the Update is about, before going ahead.

I sincerely hope that you get your system sorted out, stabilised, updated and free from spyware or malware, and can get on with enjoying your time at the PC.

Can I also suggest that you give some assistance to the 'helpers' by completing your CP - 'My System Specs', and check out the link at the bottom of my page.

Don't forget that there is always someone here to help you with any problems you may be having, just find the most suitable section, and go for it. And most of all, enjoy your time with this Forum.

Hi Tony,

Very well put. I was going to give you some Reputation for this, but I need to spread some about first.

I've made the point that I haven't used Windows Updates in two years. This is not all that crazy. It turns all that the vast variety of Updates issues revolve around obscure items that affect only a small fraction of users. This excludes some of the security issues. Upon turning on updates, my machine was immediately infected with spyware. OK, then why wasn't it infected before I turned on updates?! This is a valid question. And why is the functionality of my computer also affected? This seems to me to be a valid question also. You buy software and it comes out of a box. You don't expect it to change it's "charter" over the internet or while you are not watching.

Gee? I've had the automatic updates turned off but somehow manage to use the update button seen on the Start menu when going to check for the latest. For large service packs those I tend to download in stand alone releases and manually create a system restore point just before putting them on.

Yet I still have never had to use a restore point when installing either one of those. And I bought Vista here on the first day it came out. The update option also found the board drivers for Vista since the manufacturer only had XP drivers available for that model. And no spyware infections here.

Gee? I must be doing something wrong since I never seem to catch any bugs. Maybe it's my paranoia and smart browsing habits.

I did have restore points although SP1 somehow blocked system restore. This is not the point. You haven't responded. I made the point about Updates itself changing the functionality of my machine and that I think that is unacceptable.
When you buy something off the shelf, you don't expect it to morph into something else, without your express permission. Here is my question. Answer it if you dare. Why have I never had an instance of spyware in two years without Updates, without even using a spyware blocker at all and then as soon as I load all the updates at once, am immediately deluged in spyware?!

Why have I never had an instance of spyware in two years without Updates, without even using a spyware blocker at all and then as soon as I load all the updates at once, am immediately deluged in spyware?!-------------
I would think that the spyware was already on your system before the download of the SP1 and updates.

I think you already had something hidden on your system there waiting to be awakened. Once the system processes were allowing updates to go on that also opened the system up to any bugs waiting in the shadows like a trojan downloader to bring more stuff onto the system.

Your best move now is to run a full system sweep with a few security tools/malware removers to see them gone. Even with XP and now seeing updates for the 7 beta going on as well as having both service packs for Vista I've never seen bugs included with any updates from MS. You had to get those from somewhere else.

Howdy, This is my first post here. I decided to take a break from Linux for a while, and use only Vista which came pre-installed. I have learned to smell trolls very well after spending years giving support on Linux forums. It is best not to feed them.