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30 Jan 2009
Microsoft is planning to end a facility which allows users to block the automatic installation of Windows service packs.
The company revealed on Thursday that it will remove the option of blocking the Windows XP SP3 and Windows Vista SP1 updates from the Automatic Update service.
Microsoft first created the blocking feature to allow administrators to keep the service packs from reaching end-users while the updates could be tested for possible compatibility and stability problems.
Windows Vista will be the first to have the update blocking taken down. The company will remove the feature for Vista SP1 updates on 28 April. Users will still be able to block the Vista SP2 release. For Windows XP SP3, the unblocking option will lifted on 19 May.
In other Windows news, Microsoft announced on Friday that the Windows 7 beta programme has come to an end, and that the next publically released version of the operating system will be a release candidate, usually considered the last step before a formal release of a product.
While the company has yet to name a specific date or month for release, Windows 7 is expected to reach the market some time in the first quarter of 2010.
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Do you agree?
Users being able to block downloads whatever next
I for one block automatic updates for various reasons. It may be I don't want silverlight installed or version 1.0 of anything else for that matter. It may be that I know that the patch for my raid controller will screw the disks (again). It may be that downloading 800Mb of service pack once and copying it to other PCs makes more sense. Especially when ISPs count that download as part of your quota. Two auto-downloads of 800Mb and the ISP throttles you back to 64kbps for the next fortnight - no thanks that's why I moved away from a certain cable company. If Microsoft introduces this override then Auto-Updates gets turned off completely.
Posted by: Steve Messenger 24 Feb 2009
SP3
SP3 hasnt been blocked by microsoft anyway,i downloaded this from ur site to start with ,but then found out i couldnt use system restore as as far as i know i still cant as SP3 wont let u,so i removed sp3,but they it was showing in the auto up-dates of which i ignored seeing the problem with it,but accidently let it install by auto up-dates,but still dont think its working correct,,and to use system restore microsoft recommends u remove sp3 as it states this on their site
Posted by: Edgar Mills 04 Feb 2009