Windows Updates

[Dave_07]

Hey all,

I've just downloaded an update (KB870669) via the automatic update system tray thingy and it's gone and done it again !
It downloads the file then prompts for it to be installed, clicked the install button, then the installation progress bar comes up but those little green block things don't move along the bar, it pauses, then it says it was installed successfully.. ? This is the third time it's done it, all with different sized files some 3.0mb some smaller. At first i thought it was just a clitch, but upon checking my add/remove programs list, none of the last three supposedly successfull updates are in th list, usually no matter how small the update file it always appears in the list.. am i going mad or is this just how updates are now being delt with ?

PS. logged on to the windows update site and clicked check for updates to doubly make sure, and it says no further updates are need, but there not in the programs list lol.. whats going on ??

A confused Dave.

[Paul Adams]

It doesn't make an entry in Add/Remove Programs as it's only a registry fix, there are no replacement files.

The KB article describes the manual method to fix the registry and if you check using regedit you should see the key has been created.

As for the Windows Update site it will be slow to respond right now as thousands of people will be doing their updates.

[Dave_07]

What about the critical update for windows media player script commands (KB828026) & security update directX 9.0 (KB839643), they are probably program fix's ? shouldn't they appear in the programs list ? as all those hotfix things do.

Cheers, Dave.

[Paul Adams]

Well, if it makes you feel better, those entries aren't in my Add/Remove Programs list either

However, so long as Windows Update reports 0 critical updates then it should be satisfied that you've got them installed.

If you check in your Windows folder with "show hidden files" enabled, you should see 2 folders:
$NtUninstallQ828026$
$NtUninstallKB839643-DirectX9$

If you ever need to remove the updates, the routines to do it are inside there.

Maybe Microsoft have decided people get confused if they think Windows has installed loads of products - it does make the Add/Remove Programs list a little long...

[Dave_07]

Oh, nice one, thx Paul all the updates i've downloaded are now showing in the windows folder. I'll cheak there in future to make sure updates have been installed correctly. Thx for the heads up on un-installing the updates if needed.

PS, I too hate long add/remove program lists, and personally would have preferd some sort of run command/start menu option for a pop up box to check on installed update files, rather than them showing up in the add/remove list. Was only asking because all the updates i've installed befor have always showed up in the add/remove list, and so i was just a little supprised when these did not.

Thx again, Dave.

EDIT: while where on the subject i might as well ask, what are those WinHotFix things anyway ?

[Paul Adams]

'tis one of the reasons I like installing service packs, just to tidy up the hundreds of entries in that list, LOL.