Microsoft's New Security "Strategy" leaves you with little information.

It would be nice if there was a one-stop location for all the information we need.

I note your link to the Security Update "Guide" really goes to the Security Update "Summary" page.

The actual Security Update Guide page seems a little easier to follow.

 

That's hardly a fair comparison. You are talking two totally different hardware platforms to begin with. Second, Windows 7 does not include Windows Defender or Edge and other features which where also updated with W10. If yours took an hour to update, there's also a good chance it included the Creators Update which is now being distributed. That's a HUGE version update.

Most steps by Microsoft are not backwards. But nobody remembers the 100s and 100s of updates that go off without a hitch, or the fact that the vast majority, 100s and 100s of millions of users have had no problems with Windows Update at all. That includes me on my 5 systems here. Considering virtually every single one of those 100s and 100s of millions of Windows computers are unique with their own unique hardware and security configurations, user customizations, and installed apps, and so few people (when looking at the big picture) have had problems, I think the developers at Microsoft are miracle workers. But they are human. They are not perfect. Nor can they be expected to test for every single one of those unique scenarios.

The fact of the matter is, if users would just leave Windows alone and keep the default settings instead of dinking with the settings because they think they are smarter than Microsoft, or if they would stop treating W10 like they did XP, fewer people would be having problems. I am not saying I am running in full default mode (I use Start10 and never use Cortana, for example), but I'm not a PhD or Comp Sci, or a master OS programmer with decades of empirical data to draw on either.

Do you think you would have greater control if you had an Apple? Do you have absolute control over your smart phone updates?

Did these updates break your laptop and desktop? Or did they make them more secure?

Frankly, I don't like and have been very vocal about many of the [IMO] misguided marketing and executive decisions at Microsoft over the years - especially some of their marketing ploys. The forced upon us new "Metro UI" in W8 is a prime example. But it was not because it didn't work! W8 actually worked great because the developers did a great job, as they typically do. But it was a misguided marketing ploy to get users to automatically like (and buy) the Windows Phone with its similar UI.

I have a shop. And I know many with shops. And I can tell you business is way down starting with W8 and especially with W10. Why? Because the number of infected computers needing cleaning has dropped significantly in a big part because Windows keeps itself current.

I like to be in control too. But security trumps all. Microsoft would much rather be bashed for taking some of our control away and keeping us safe, than getting blamed relentlessly for us getting infected (even though it is the bad guys doing the infecting). And I applaud Microsoft for that!

 

Well, the thread is about Microsoft's new "strategy" of providing less information about updates! The subject has absolutely nothing to due with this version of Windows being better than that version, or about any improvements in performance.

 

You say "not so well received", but that is a minority opinion. Maybe not on this site, but for sure, it is globally.

The vast majority of Windows users want their computers to just work - without needing to intervene at all. Just like their microwave oven, toaster, TV, coffee pot or any other "appliance" in the house. And that is how it should be. Users should not need to be computer, Windows, or security experts. Especially home users using off-the-shelf software. We are not there yet, but W10 is much closer to that end than any previous Windows version. And it will continue to evolve to that end. And that's a good thing.

The big issue for Microsoft's new strategy is really for corporate networks using custom/proprietary software where IT and sysadmins need to control their "workstations" to ensure that software continues to support productivity, on their schedule - not Microsoft's.

For those of us who are enthusiasts, there's always Linux.

 

So, this is why I can't find April's security-only updates for Windows 7? I'll have to give it another go.

EDIT: Is this what I am looking for?...

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4015546

I noticed that there is a list of additional updates on the left, but nothing for .net framework.

 

OK, I've updated Windows 7, IE 11, and most everything else except for .net framework (4.6.1 on this laptop), and I found the security-only update for it, but the download box shows 4 files. Am I supposed to download all four, and does it matter what order they are installed?

 

Is is important to note that NET Framework versions are dependent on what your version of Windows and the programs you have installed. That is, Ver 4 is NOT an upgrade or replacement for V 3.5, for example. Different programs use different libraries. This is the same for Visual C++ libraries.

Side comment. It seems Arie's thread has been hijacked again. Shouldn't James's problem be split into it's own topic?

 

I thought about that, but I figured it was OK since we were discussing this month's updates - and the difficulty in finding them.

Course, the staff can relocate my portion if need be.

 

Windows admins, has Microsoft completely ******* up its security reports?

 

Two of them wouldn't install, so I did a system restore and installed the quality and security update (about 60MB) on the laptop. The desktop only required about 8MB of .net framework quality & security updates.

Microsoft's new approach to finding and installing security-only updates leaves a lot to be desired.