3 strikes for Windows 10 forced Automatic Updates policy

[ky331]

It's happened for the 3rd time in just 9 days: a forced update that's crashing Windows 10 systems :-(


1) an unstable graphics driver (for Nvidia graphics cards) which switched off monitors http://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonkelly/2015/07/25/windows-10-automatic-update-problems/

2) a buggy security patch (KB3074681) which corrupted Windows Explorer http://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonkelly/2015/07/27/windows-10-automatic-update-security-problems/ , and now

3) KB3081424 (ironically enough a cumulative roll-up of bug fixes) which [for some users] itself fails, leaving systems caught in endless reboot loops http://news.softpedia.com/news/windows-10-cumulative-update-kb3081424-fails-to-install-stuck-in-reboot-loop-488638.shtml .


Source:  http://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonkelly/2015/08/08/windows-10-forced-updates-causing-endless-crash-loop/

[JDBush61]

I think that I'll just stop reading these Windows 10 threads and let Corrine inform me as to when it's safe to upgrade.  :wink:

[ky331]

(Just a little humor here....)

[Basil]

I must say that I had no problems with this update!None at all!....But then, I have a brand new laptop with no crap-ware on it. Just ESET NOD 32 A/V8 and MBAM.

[Corrine]

I didn't have any problems with the cumulative update either.  There is an "independent" fix posted for it but it comes with a BIG WARNING, because doing it wrong will require a full reininstall. Fix for Looping Windows 10 Cumulative Update | Windows 10 content from Windows IT Pro.

For drivers, I prefer the vendor site and have changed the driver update setting: Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers > right-click PC > select Device Installation Settings > Toggle "Never install driver software from Windows Update & check "Automatically get device app and info provided by device manufacturer.

[pastywhitegurl]

Why is it a bad idea to let windows 10 update your drivers?


I've kind of had the opposite experience as ky.  My Nvidia drivers had been being updated through Windows update, and once I was offered a driver update through Secunia (while on XP, I think).  It resulted in some huge gaming program being installed that I didn't want and I couldn't uninstall it without ruining my monitor display.

I don't have Secunia anymore, but maybe I should get some other update notifier program.

[ky331]

Just to clarify... the opening post I made was a summary of the article I cited as my source... and is NOT based on any personal experience/problems I've encountered:

I personally have NOT upgraded any of my eligible systems to Win10... nor do I plan to do so:
My Win7 Laptop does not have a touchscreen... and I'm satisfied with Win7 there;
My Win8.1 tablet has (I believe) a "compressed" operating system, and insufficient free space remaining on the SSD... meaning it would be risky to even attempt the upgrade there.

[pastywhitegurl]

Sorry...should have said "as ky reported..."

Anyway, that alone is probably a good reason not to let Windows update drivers for other programs.

[Pete!]

.........For drivers, I prefer the vendor site and have changed the driver update setting: Go to Control Panel > Devices and Printers > right-click PC > select Device Installation Settings > Toggle "Never install driver software from Windows Update & check "Automatically get device app and info provided by device manufacturer.

FYI: The same settings are available in Windows 8.1, and accessed in pretty much the same manner.

[Corrine]

Correct, Pete, and is actually based on a KB Article for Windows 7, http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2500967.  Windows 7 doesn't have the option to "Automatically get device app and info provided by device manufacturer".

[plodr]

pastywhitegurl, I've had first hand experience with MS giving me a bad driver and from that point on, I've refused to accept any driver listed in updates.

It was probably 10 years ago. I was running Windows 2000 on an HP laptop. MS offered me a "better driver" for my NIC. At that time, laptops did not have built in wifi. You had to either connect a phone cord or a CAT cable if you wanted to surf. I installed the NIC driver and immediately lost my internet connection. I was able to roll back the driver so I did. I figured I must have done something wrong so I let Windows install the driver again. The exact same thing happened. I could not connect to the internet. I rolled back the driver and that was it. I was not about to try for the 3rd time.

Currently there are nVidia drivers from MS sitting in the "optional" updates. no way do I want to chance another bad driver, especially video and lose my display!
There are also suggested drivers for the Acer and eMachine monitors I have attached to two of our desktop computers. They won't get installed either. The display works fine so I can't see loading a driver for a monitor that is working.

[ky331]

Welcome to some unwanted deja vu. Last week Microsoft has released KB 3081436, a cumulative bug fix for Windows 10 and it caused endless crash loops. Now Microsoft has released ‘KB 3081438’ to address this and guess what? It is also causing Windows 10 computers to crash over and over again…

http://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonkelly/2015/08/17/windows-10-new-crash-loops/