updates Archives - Page 10 of 10

What To Do When Windows Update Won’t Work

Office ITsecurity, updates, WindowsOphtek, LLC

Mar 2015

Windows updates are always around the corner. Fixing Windows update when Windows update isn’t working is as important as keeping your antivirus up to date.

Just when you’ve finished installing that large update that took forever finish, another 20 pop up the next time you boot. It’s annoying but it is a necessary evil for every PC user. The updates patch security holes in your system so hackers and other cyber criminals can’t exploit them to gain your information or take control of your computer. Sometimes Windows update won’t work however. Not being able to install these updates leaves the users computer vulnerable to attack.

Here are a few ways to make sure the updates are pushed through to maintain your business’ security and stability.

1. Use a system restore

A system restore point is a snapshot of your computer’s working state at that moment in time. Many Windows events automatically create restore points of your system but you can also manually create your own.

Chances are that you have a few restore points in your system already. To restore your system to an earlier state, you need search for system restore using the Start Menu and open it. Once open you will be greeted with a page to start a restore, click Next. Check the box on the bottom left to show more restore points.

Each restore point will have a date and time stamp to indicate when it was created. All you need to do is pick one prior to when you were having the Windows Update issue and restore to that point. This should fix most of your issues.

2. Manually download the update installer

Each Microsoft update also comes in its own installer package that you can download directly from the Microsoft website. In order to download the update you must know its update KB number, which you can find from the windows update page on your computer.

Next all you need to do is install the update like you were installing any other program and hopefully your windows update will come out of its rut.

3. Download the Windows Update and Automatic Update Reset tool

If all else fails you can install this handy tool created by the Microsoft Fix it team. This program should resolve most of your issues. You can run the program in default mode first and if that fails then you can run it again in aggressive mode to make sure everything gets patched.

For more ways to keep your business data safe and your operations running smoothly, contact your local IT professionals.

Windows 7 Update Causing Lock Ups – KB2952664

Security, Softwarepatches, security, updates, windows 7Ophtek, LLC

Apr 2014

A recent Windows 7 update meant to make the transition from Windows 7 to Windows 8 easier has been causing systems to freeze up according to many user accounts online. Microsoft released this update on April 22nd as KB2952664. There have been updates in the past which have caused the operating system to lock up, freeze or malfunction such as this Microsoft Security Essentials update for Windows XP which was pulled by Microsoft after user’s started having issues.

Although the patch has been labeled as an “important” update on some systems and “optional” on others, it isn’t necessary to keeping Windows 7 operating properly. It is best for users to hide this update completely.

If you haven’t installed it yet, here’s how you can avoid this update and avoid issues with your Windows 7 System:

Go to Start and type “Windows Update” without the quotes in the search box. Click on Windows Update at the top of the list:

You will need to look in both the Important Update and the Optional Updates for this patch:

Search for the patch with id KB2952664 in the updates list, right click on it and select Hide Update:

If you have already installed the update, or don’t see the update listed in the Important Updates or Optional Updates section, you may need to uninstall it manually.

You can do this by going to Start -> Control Panel -> Programs and Features -> View Installed Updates. Then find the patch with ID KB2952664, right click on it and select uninstall. Then follow the steps above to hide it from future updates.

All monthly maintenance clients will have this done for their systems during their next update cycle. For further support or questions about this issue, contact your local IT professionals.