I disabled Windows Update once & for all

Hi,
Since the June update, Windows Update is causing me trouble:
About 100% of CPU resources used by svchost.exe.

I completely disabled the Windows Update service and my machine works well
again.

It has been mentioned by so many people by now !
Why does it take so long for MS to do something about it?

Regards,
Geo

Geo <> wrote:

> Since the June update, Windows Update is causing me trouble:
> About 100% of CPU resources used by svchost.exe.
>
> I completely disabled the Windows Update service and my machine works
> well again.

Can you be clear whether you are referring to "Windows Update" or "Microsoft
Update": which version were you running before the trouble developed?

> Why does it take so long for MS to do something about it?

Have you reported this problem to Microsoft? Talking about it here will not
achieve that.

--
Robin Walker [MVP Networking]

Hi Robin,

Sorry for the confusion : I am talking about Microsoft Update

How can I report a problem to MS ?
I thought that MVPS did that with the info that they gathered in the
newsgroups from ordinary people like me .

Regards,
Geo

"Robin Walker [MVP]" wrote:

> Geo <> wrote:
>
> > Since the June update, Windows Update is causing me trouble:
> > About 100% of CPU resources used by svchost.exe.
> >
> > I completely disabled the Windows Update service and my machine works
> > well again.
>
> Can you be clear whether you are referring to "Windows Update" or "Microsoft
> Update": which version were you running before the trouble developed?
>
> > Why does it take so long for MS to do something about it?
>
> Have you reported this problem to Microsoft? Talking about it here will not
> achieve that.
>
> --
> Robin Walker [MVP Networking]
>
>
>
>

Geo <> wrote:

> Sorry for the confusion : I am talking about Microsoft Update

I suspected as much. You can revert from Microsoft Update to Windows
Update, and I hear from other reports that doing so clears the problem. (You
will first need to re-enable the services you disabled). In MU, click
"Change settings" in the left-hand sidebar, then check "Disable Microsoft
Update software and let me use Windows Update only", and click "Apply
changes now".

Now, the real result worth knowing would be to see what happens if, having
reverted to "Windows Update", you then again upgrade to "Microsoft Update".
Is the old problem now fixed, or does it return?

> How can I report a problem to MS ?

This differs according to the country you are in. Start at
http://support.microsoft.com/ , make sure it is configured correctly for
your country, and look for a telephone or e-mail support option. Despite
the posted prices, if the problem arose from Windows Update or Microsoft
Update, support is supposed to be free of charge.

> I thought that MVPS did that with the info that they gathered in the
> newsgroups from ordinary people like me.

There is very little that MS could do just on the basis of reports of 100%
processor utilization: they would need to investigate the exact state of the
PCs in question, which only you have access to.

For instance, it is possible that this problem is related to the state of
the MU data structures on your hard disk, or it might be an interaction with
some third-party application that you have installed (e.g. anti-malware?).
Can you experiment with disabling some third-party startup applications to
see if that cures the problem?

--
Robin Walker [MVP Networking]

Hi Robin,
Thank you for that fast and accurate support/solution !!

Changing from MS Update to Windows Update solved indeed my problem.
I will run like this during the weekend in order to see if things remain
stable.
Monday, I will change back to MS Update and see if the old problem comes back.
And yes, I will report here about the outcome - I ow you that much !

You also asked if I am running anti-malware programs : I use the following
ones
- Ccleaner - I use it manually, it never runs in the background.
- Ad-Aware SE Personal : Same thing, I use it manually only. It never runs
in the background.
- EZ Antivirus : This one runs in the background and checks files and mail.

Appart from that, there is no new software added to my system since mid 2005.

Thanks again for your help Robin.
I will report back on Monday next when I re-installed MS-Update.
B.T.W. - How do I do that ?

Geo





"Robin Walker [MVP]" wrote:

> Geo <> wrote:
>
> > Sorry for the confusion : I am talking about Microsoft Update
>
> I suspected as much. You can revert from Microsoft Update to Windows
> Update, and I hear from other reports that doing so clears the problem. (You
> will first need to re-enable the services you disabled). In MU, click
> "Change settings" in the left-hand sidebar, then check "Disable Microsoft
> Update software and let me use Windows Update only", and click "Apply
> changes now".
>
> Now, the real result worth knowing would be to see what happens if, having
> reverted to "Windows Update", you then again upgrade to "Microsoft Update".
> Is the old problem now fixed, or does it return?
>
> > How can I report a problem to MS ?
>
> This differs according to the country you are in. Start at
> http://support.microsoft.com/ , make sure it is configured correctly for
> your country, and look for a telephone or e-mail support option. Despite
> the posted prices, if the problem arose from Windows Update or Microsoft
> Update, support is supposed to be free of charge.
>
> > I thought that MVPS did that with the info that they gathered in the
> > newsgroups from ordinary people like me.
>
> There is very little that MS could do just on the basis of reports of 100%
> processor utilization: they would need to investigate the exact state of the
> PCs in question, which only you have access to.
>
> For instance, it is possible that this problem is related to the state of
> the MU data structures on your hard disk, or it might be an interaction with
> some third-party application that you have installed (e.g. anti-malware?).
> Can you experiment with disabling some third-party startup applications to
> see if that cures the problem?
>
> --
> Robin Walker [MVP Networking]
>
>
>
>

Geo <> wrote:

> I will report back on Monday next when I re-installed MS-Update.
> B.T.W. - How do I do that ?

At Windows Update home page, there is a link to upgrade to Microsoft Update.

Or you can go to http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=40747

--
Robin Walker [MVP Networking]

Pardon the interruption ...

> - Ccleaner - I use it manually, it never runs in the background.

What settings are you using for CCleaner ... Registry Issue Cleaning,
Application Cleaning, etc. ?
That *may* be where the issue is stemming from, Geo.

MowGreen [MVP 2003-2006]
===============
*-343-* FDNY
Never Forgotten
===============


Geo wrote:

> Hi Robin,
> Thank you for that fast and accurate support/solution !!
>
> Changing from MS Update to Windows Update solved indeed my problem.
> I will run like this during the weekend in order to see if things remain
> stable.
> Monday, I will change back to MS Update and see if the old problem comes back.
> And yes, I will report here about the outcome - I ow you that much !
>
> You also asked if I am running anti-malware programs : I use the following
> ones
> - Ccleaner - I use it manually, it never runs in the background.
> - Ad-Aware SE Personal : Same thing, I use it manually only. It never runs
> in the background.
> - EZ Antivirus : This one runs in the background and checks files and mail.
>
> Appart from that, there is no new software added to my system since mid 2005.
>
> Thanks again for your help Robin.
> I will report back on Monday next when I re-installed MS-Update.
> B.T.W. - How do I do that ?
>
> Geo
>
>
>
>
>
> "Robin Walker [MVP]" wrote:
>
>
>>Geo <> wrote:
>>
>>
>>>Sorry for the confusion : I am talking about Microsoft Update
>>
>>I suspected as much. You can revert from Microsoft Update to Windows
>>Update, and I hear from other reports that doing so clears the problem. (You
>>will first need to re-enable the services you disabled). In MU, click
>>"Change settings" in the left-hand sidebar, then check "Disable Microsoft
>>Update software and let me use Windows Update only", and click "Apply
>>changes now".
>>
>>Now, the real result worth knowing would be to see what happens if, having
>>reverted to "Windows Update", you then again upgrade to "Microsoft Update".
>>Is the old problem now fixed, or does it return?
>>
>>
>>>How can I report a problem to MS ?
>>
>>This differs according to the country you are in. Start at
>>http://support.microsoft.com/ , make sure it is configured correctly for
>>your country, and look for a telephone or e-mail support option. Despite
>>the posted prices, if the problem arose from Windows Update or Microsoft
>>Update, support is supposed to be free of charge.
>>
>>
>>>I thought that MVPS did that with the info that they gathered in the
>>>newsgroups from ordinary people like me.
>>
>>There is very little that MS could do just on the basis of reports of 100%
>>processor utilization: they would need to investigate the exact state of the
>>PCs in question, which only you have access to.
>>
>>For instance, it is possible that this problem is related to the state of
>>the MU data structures on your hard disk, or it might be an interaction with
>>some third-party application that you have installed (e.g. anti-malware?).
>>Can you experiment with disabling some third-party startup applications to
>>see if that cures the problem?
>>
>>--
>>Robin Walker [MVP Networking]
>>
>>
>>
>>

Hi and point taken MowGreen.

I am now running Windows-update, not MS-update.
And I will run later this evening Ccleaner, the same way as usual (including
a registry cleanup).
If does not provoke any problem then we know that Windows-update & Ccleaner
are compatibel.

My next step will be the following (to be done tomorrow) :
Re-install MS-update.
See if the 100% CPU-load problem comes back.
If no problem, then I will run Ccleaner again.
I wonder what will come out of this.

But your question makes me think about something else MowGreen :
I one ran a Clean-up from the Life Safety Center (from MS).
And I remember that one of my programs did not work anymore (I do not recall
which one that was, but I can try to reproduce this).
I cannot remember however if it was after that clean-up that my 100%
CPU-load started when MS-backup was installed (I can reproduce this situation
as well).

I hope that my "English" is a bit understandable.
If not, please let me know what I should clarify.
Just know that I am prepared to do some testing in order to find the real
culprit for this "100% CPU-load" problem.
I constantly have several images of my system-disk, so no problem for me to
screw up my system during test-procedures.

Kind regards
Geo



"MowGreen [MVP]" wrote:

> Pardon the interruption ...
>
> > - Ccleaner - I use it manually, it never runs in the background.
>
> What settings are you using for CCleaner ... Registry Issue Cleaning,
> Application Cleaning, etc. ?
> That *may* be where the issue is stemming from, Geo.
>
> MowGreen [MVP 2003-2006]
> ===============
> *-343-* FDNY
> Never Forgotten
> ===============
>
>
> Geo wrote:
>
> > Hi Robin,
> > Thank you for that fast and accurate support/solution !!
> >
> > Changing from MS Update to Windows Update solved indeed my problem.
> > I will run like this during the weekend in order to see if things remain
> > stable.
> > Monday, I will change back to MS Update and see if the old problem comes back.
> > And yes, I will report here about the outcome - I ow you that much !
> >
> > You also asked if I am running anti-malware programs : I use the following
> > ones
> > - Ccleaner - I use it manually, it never runs in the background.
> > - Ad-Aware SE Personal : Same thing, I use it manually only. It never runs
> > in the background.
> > - EZ Antivirus : This one runs in the background and checks files and mail.
> >
> > Appart from that, there is no new software added to my system since mid 2005.
> >
> > Thanks again for your help Robin.
> > I will report back on Monday next when I re-installed MS-Update.
> > B.T.W. - How do I do that ?
> >
> > Geo
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > "Robin Walker [MVP]" wrote:
> >
> >
> >>Geo <> wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >>>Sorry for the confusion : I am talking about Microsoft Update
> >>
> >>I suspected as much. You can revert from Microsoft Update to Windows
> >>Update, and I hear from other reports that doing so clears the problem. (You
> >>will first need to re-enable the services you disabled). In MU, click
> >>"Change settings" in the left-hand sidebar, then check "Disable Microsoft
> >>Update software and let me use Windows Update only", and click "Apply
> >>changes now".
> >>
> >>Now, the real result worth knowing would be to see what happens if, having
> >>reverted to "Windows Update", you then again upgrade to "Microsoft Update".
> >>Is the old problem now fixed, or does it return?
> >>
> >>
> >>>How can I report a problem to MS ?
> >>
> >>This differs according to the country you are in. Start at
> >>http://support.microsoft.com/ , make sure it is configured correctly for
> >>your country, and look for a telephone or e-mail support option. Despite
> >>the posted prices, if the problem arose from Windows Update or Microsoft
> >>Update, support is supposed to be free of charge.
> >>
> >>
> >>>I thought that MVPS did that with the info that they gathered in the
> >>>newsgroups from ordinary people like me.
> >>
> >>There is very little that MS could do just on the basis of reports of 100%
> >>processor utilization: they would need to investigate the exact state of the
> >>PCs in question, which only you have access to.
> >>
> >>For instance, it is possible that this problem is related to the state of
> >>the MU data structures on your hard disk, or it might be an interaction with
> >>some third-party application that you have installed (e.g. anti-malware?).
> >>Can you experiment with disabling some third-party startup applications to
> >>see if that cures the problem?
> >>
> >>--
> >>Robin Walker [MVP Networking]
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
>

Hello again MowGreen

I promised to come back after some testing - here I am.

I did about all the tests that I mentioned in my previous post.
The one and only culprit remains "Microsoft Update" - so I disabled it until
MS is coming with a propper solution.

There is one other thing going on :
WGA is phoning home at every bootup in order to check whether my system is
still guinine. I have admitted to do that check when MS started with it
because I have nothing to hide. Every piece of software on my machine is
legal (MS-software as well as other software).
The fact that MS decides to do this check over and over again ****es me off.
If MS is trusting me so little then I don't trust them any longer neither.
So no more Big Brother looking over my shoulder any longer - I wiped the WGA
check from my system as well.
I have been a fervent addict to MS since 1986, but when I see how they are
spying on me (an honest legal user) this might change very rapidely in the
very next future.
Sorry for this but I had to get it off my chest.

Kind regards
Geo



"MowGreen [MVP]" wrote:

> Pardon the interruption ...
>
> > - Ccleaner - I use it manually, it never runs in the background.
>
> What settings are you using for CCleaner ... Registry Issue Cleaning,
> Application Cleaning, etc. ?
> That *may* be where the issue is stemming from, Geo.
>
> MowGreen [MVP 2003-2006]
> ===============
> *-343-* FDNY
> Never Forgotten
> ===============
>
>
> Geo wrote:
>
> > Hi Robin,
> > Thank you for that fast and accurate support/solution !!
> >
> > Changing from MS Update to Windows Update solved indeed my problem.
> > I will run like this during the weekend in order to see if things remain
> > stable.
> > Monday, I will change back to MS Update and see if the old problem comes back.
> > And yes, I will report here about the outcome - I ow you that much !
> >
> > You also asked if I am running anti-malware programs : I use the following
> > ones
> > - Ccleaner - I use it manually, it never runs in the background.
> > - Ad-Aware SE Personal : Same thing, I use it manually only. It never runs
> > in the background.
> > - EZ Antivirus : This one runs in the background and checks files and mail.
> >
> > Appart from that, there is no new software added to my system since mid 2005.
> >
> > Thanks again for your help Robin.
> > I will report back on Monday next when I re-installed MS-Update.
> > B.T.W. - How do I do that ?
> >
> > Geo
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > "Robin Walker [MVP]" wrote:
> >
> >
> >>Geo <> wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >>>Sorry for the confusion : I am talking about Microsoft Update
> >>
> >>I suspected as much. You can revert from Microsoft Update to Windows
> >>Update, and I hear from other reports that doing so clears the problem. (You
> >>will first need to re-enable the services you disabled). In MU, click
> >>"Change settings" in the left-hand sidebar, then check "Disable Microsoft
> >>Update software and let me use Windows Update only", and click "Apply
> >>changes now".
> >>
> >>Now, the real result worth knowing would be to see what happens if, having
> >>reverted to "Windows Update", you then again upgrade to "Microsoft Update".
> >>Is the old problem now fixed, or does it return?
> >>
> >>
> >>>How can I report a problem to MS ?
> >>
> >>This differs according to the country you are in. Start at
> >>http://support.microsoft.com/ , make sure it is configured correctly for
> >>your country, and look for a telephone or e-mail support option. Despite
> >>the posted prices, if the problem arose from Windows Update or Microsoft
> >>Update, support is supposed to be free of charge.
> >>
> >>
> >>>I thought that MVPS did that with the info that they gathered in the
> >>>newsgroups from ordinary people like me.
> >>
> >>There is very little that MS could do just on the basis of reports of 100%
> >>processor utilization: they would need to investigate the exact state of the
> >>PCs in question, which only you have access to.
> >>
> >>For instance, it is possible that this problem is related to the state of
> >>the MU data structures on your hard disk, or it might be an interaction with
> >>some third-party application that you have installed (e.g. anti-malware?).
> >>Can you experiment with disabling some third-party startup applications to
> >>see if that cures the problem?
> >>
> >>--
> >>Robin Walker [MVP Networking]
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
>

Geo wrote:
> Hello again MowGreen
>
> I promised to come back after some testing - here I am.
>
> I did about all the tests that I mentioned in my previous post.
> The one and only culprit remains "Microsoft Update" - so I disabled it until
> MS is coming with a propper solution.
>
> There is one other thing going on :
> WGA is phoning home at every bootup in order to check whether my system is
> still guinine. I have admitted to do that check when MS started with it
> because I have nothing to hide. Every piece of software on my machine is
> legal (MS-software as well as other software).
> The fact that MS decides to do this check over and over again ****es me off.
> If MS is trusting me so little then I don't trust them any longer neither.
> So no more Big Brother looking over my shoulder any longer - I wiped the WGA
> check from my system as well.
> I have been a fervent addict to MS since 1986, but when I see how they are
> spying on me (an honest legal user) this might change very rapidely in the
> very next future.
> Sorry for this but I had to get it off my chest.
>
> Kind regards
> Geo

If it makes you feel any better, the new WGA/N only checks every 19 days.

Alias