A
recurring bug comes back even stronger than before for Windows XP. The bug
travels with this month’s round of Automatic Updates on recently installed
Windows XP SP3 machines running Windows Update. When Automatic Update is turned
on, your machine will stall twice.
The first stall will be when Windows Update accesses the Microsoft Website and gathers a list of available updates, many users’ have reported a 5-20 minute lock on their machines, with the fan and CPU running at full power. The second stall occurs when the customer waits for the updates, clicks to install them, and their machine freezes for another 5-10 minutes.
Apparently, Microsoft has known about this particular bug for months, without bothering to fix it, possibly as incentive for both individuals and organizations to update their operating systems. In September, discussions on a support forum suggested that the bug originated back in 2004. The recent Black Tuesday patches in November 2013 didn’t attempt to fix the problem.
In addition, it’s actually simple to find the source of the problem. In most cases, wuauclt.exe – the Windows Update Agent – running in a SVCHOST package takes over the computer, suggesting that the bug resides in wuauclt on Windows XP or in the way wuauclt is handled by Microsoft’s servers on Windows XP.
It’s a good idea to turn off Automatic Update, however, the problem won’t be solved. Once you manually enter Windows Update, the problem reoccurs and your machine will freeze up. Another solution involves manually updating Internet Explorer by installing an IE update. It’s important to manually download and apply the patch for your specific version of IE.
The best solution would be to upgrade your operating system. Most of us are aware that the end of support date is approaching on April 8th, 2014. When Windows XP support ends, Microsoft will stop maintaining and updating the operating system. However, this recurring unsolved problem makes many of us wonder: has Microsoft already stopped maintaining the operating system?
Of course, without support for Windows XP, there will be nothing to stop the vulnerabilities and bugs that occur, and reoccur, on a regular basis. Businesses running Windows XP will not be protected or secure. In fact, many of them aren’t secure right now, as the current bug proves.
Despite the constant warnings, many organizations continue to use Windows XP. According to the software consultancy Camwood, approximately 40% of businesses are running the operating system. Surprisingly, one in five of those organizations intend to continue with Windows XP after the end of support date. Organizations of all types and sizes must prepare for April 8th, 2014. Windows XP is not secure enough to continue running, and the migration process must begin as soon as possible.
To learn more about Windows XP vulnerabilities and discuss your migration options, IT experts are best for it.
The first stall will be when Windows Update accesses the Microsoft Website and gathers a list of available updates, many users’ have reported a 5-20 minute lock on their machines, with the fan and CPU running at full power. The second stall occurs when the customer waits for the updates, clicks to install them, and their machine freezes for another 5-10 minutes.
Apparently, Microsoft has known about this particular bug for months, without bothering to fix it, possibly as incentive for both individuals and organizations to update their operating systems. In September, discussions on a support forum suggested that the bug originated back in 2004. The recent Black Tuesday patches in November 2013 didn’t attempt to fix the problem.
In addition, it’s actually simple to find the source of the problem. In most cases, wuauclt.exe – the Windows Update Agent – running in a SVCHOST package takes over the computer, suggesting that the bug resides in wuauclt on Windows XP or in the way wuauclt is handled by Microsoft’s servers on Windows XP.
It’s a good idea to turn off Automatic Update, however, the problem won’t be solved. Once you manually enter Windows Update, the problem reoccurs and your machine will freeze up. Another solution involves manually updating Internet Explorer by installing an IE update. It’s important to manually download and apply the patch for your specific version of IE.
The best solution would be to upgrade your operating system. Most of us are aware that the end of support date is approaching on April 8th, 2014. When Windows XP support ends, Microsoft will stop maintaining and updating the operating system. However, this recurring unsolved problem makes many of us wonder: has Microsoft already stopped maintaining the operating system?
Of course, without support for Windows XP, there will be nothing to stop the vulnerabilities and bugs that occur, and reoccur, on a regular basis. Businesses running Windows XP will not be protected or secure. In fact, many of them aren’t secure right now, as the current bug proves.
Despite the constant warnings, many organizations continue to use Windows XP. According to the software consultancy Camwood, approximately 40% of businesses are running the operating system. Surprisingly, one in five of those organizations intend to continue with Windows XP after the end of support date. Organizations of all types and sizes must prepare for April 8th, 2014. Windows XP is not secure enough to continue running, and the migration process must begin as soon as possible.
To learn more about Windows XP vulnerabilities and discuss your migration options, IT experts are best for it.
