Ramblings of an old Doc

 

The latest Windows Update is causing a range of problems:

“KB 3004394 blocks the installation or update of graphics drivers such as AMD’s new Catalyst Omega. Nvidia users are also reporting difficulty installing GeForce drivers.” – Jason Evangelho

It has been recommended to remove it manually. and MS agrees.

What other problems does it cause?

“USB 3.0 drivers are broken and User Account Control (UAC) prompts have gone haywire. Microsoft has acknowledged that it even prevents the installation of future Windows Updates.

Perhaps most troubling is that the Windows Defender service – crucial software that blocks viruses and malware — has been disabled by the update.” –ibid

MS has already issued a patch for this patch. Sheesh. It’s KB3024777. You might well have been fixed already.

If not: To remove KB3004394, go to Control Panel -> Windows Update -> View Update History -> Installed Updates. Then, highlight the update named KB3004394 and click the “Uninstall” button.

This is confirmed to resolve the issues, and Microsoft has removed the original update from Windows Update.

“The moral of the story is this: Return to your main Windows Update area and change your settings from “Install updates automatically” to “Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them.”- ibid

I’d suggest just one modification of that: If there are “Critical Updates”, especially of the RCE variety (remote code execution) and/or “Zero Day” patches or fixes, install them immediately. Remember, Evangelho is talking about “System patches”, NOT “Security patches”.


Comments (Page 1)
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on Dec 13, 2014

on Dec 13, 2014

I had to turn off updates. The update you mention is listed along with many others that say failed dated 12/9. I don't get uninstall only "view details" or "copy" If I start windows update it just runs and runs forever till I stop it. Think I will just reformat my computer and start over. Hate the thoughts of doing that but oh well.

on Dec 13, 2014


“Install updates automatically” to “Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them.”- ibid
ALWAYS!

Thanks for the heads up, Doc, I have both KB3004394 and KB3024777 showing as installed.

on Dec 13, 2014

I checked and I don't have either patch, the bad one of the fix.  So "system patches" are not really needed?  

on Dec 13, 2014

Barb...they are needed, you just don't have to hurry to install them...waiting a bit won't really hurt.

However, that means you should read about them here: http://blogs.technet.com/b/msrc/

and then make note to download and install them a couple of weeks after they're issued...and to look for reports of problems encountered with them.

on Dec 13, 2014

okay!

on Dec 13, 2014

TY, Doc!

on Dec 13, 2014

I don't have either waiting to install.

I definitely don't allow auto-updating....not since both IE10 and IE11 fragged FSX....I'm still on 9 which is likely why I don't have the updates listed...

on Dec 14, 2014

Wizard1956


“Install updates automatically” to “Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them.”- ibid

ALWAYS!

Thanks for the heads up, Doc, I have both KB3004394 and KB3024777 showing as installed.

 

Same Here

on Dec 14, 2014

Aussie007...

You have a choice...leave things as they are. or uninstall KB3004394 and then KB3024777.

If something screws up, reinstall KB3024777. 

on Dec 14, 2014

Hmm now I understand why I couldn't update my video card drivers (NVidia) few weeks ago.. it was all about the Far Cry 4 so I reinstalled my Windows..

on Dec 14, 2014

DrJBHL

Aussie007...

You have a choice...leave things as they are. or uninstall KB3004394 and then KB3024777.

If something screws up, reinstall KB3024777. 

 

Thanks Doc

Things are working OK at the moment so I will leave it alone unless something happens.

on Dec 14, 2014

From what I see, this only affects Windows 7 service pack 1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1.  Microsoft is saying to leave the update if your operating system is something different.

on Dec 14, 2014

c31marius

Hmm now I understand why I couldn't update my video card drivers (NVidia) few weeks ago.. it was all about the Far Cry 4 so I reinstalled my Windows..

Marius...I don't think so. It would have been only since this past Tuesday or Wednesday.

on Dec 14, 2014

It may be that MS pulled the offending update relatively quickly so only us 'early birds' got stung.

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