RSSMicrosoft Slims Down Windows Updates
By David Worthington | Published June 30, 2005, 9:50 AM
From here on out, downloads from Microsoft Update and Automatic Updates will seem just a little bit faster. That is because Microsoft has released a non-security "critical" Windows update that places a permanent copy of the Package Installer for Windows on an end user's computer.
As a result, the footprint of downloads is made significantly smaller.
The Package Installer for Windows, version 6.1.22.4, may be obtained through Microsoft Update or the Microsoft Download Center before it is made mandatory in the near future.
The resident installer will not strip redundant code from software updates released before it went into production, but will allow for smaller downloads in the future, Microsoft says.
Another bandwidth saving measure for updating Windows is the Background Intelligent Transfer Services (BITS) designed for Microsoft Update. BITS downloads software updates in the background using available bandwidth without completely saturating an Internet connection.
More information about the Package Installer for Windows update can be found at the Microsoft Support Knowledge Base.
Funny, they make a permanant installation file..and at the same time...they want to buy Claria...an ad-ware company...sounds fishy.
Kramy u need to make them set to "Automatic" not "Manual" and make sure they are all started.
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|>> I have the following 3 services running on automatic
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|I don't know why, but ever since they updated from Windows Update v4 to v6, I haven't been able to get any updates. I have the following 3 services running on automatic, and it still doesn't work:
Automatic Updates
Background Intelligent Transfer Service
Event Log
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|I've found some others that aren't listed that ms requires, of course you must be an admin, you need those dcom services running and you need some ipsec service if I recall (I had the same problem, I forget which service it was I needed that wasn't on the list). Oh and I apologise in advance, but I must ask the question: You have rebooted the PC AFTER setting the services to auto, right?
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|>> You have rebooted the PC AFTER setting the services to auto, right?
Ofcourse.
>> ipsec service
That be the one apparently - "IPSEC Policy Agent"
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|Check out the notice on the MS download page:
This change in behavior applies only to express installation packages that are downloaded from the Windows Update site or through Automatic Updates for Microsoft Windows XP. Downloads from the Windows Update Catalog site are not affected.
So if you use Windows Update (custom installation) or download your updates directly, then this package is of no use to you. Thanks for pointing this out to us in the post.
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|Whew. Thanks for finding out that info and posting it - many thanks.
What a glaring omission by David Worthington for a _news_ story!
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|I manually go to Windows Update Site and get what updates I decide to get. This new package will help me. The catalog site is a totally different process and thus not covered by the new package. The author was quite correct in the information provided.
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|This is good for people who are on 56k modem still and people who are just average pc users with no knowledge of how their pc works - and that's great news for them.
Me? I don't want something permanent on my pc just so I'm able to install security updates. Security updates I might add that are only necessary because the code is insecure - and that's not my fault. Additionally - "BITS downloads software updates in the background using available bandwidth without completely saturating an Internet connection" - now I know what this is. But how many average pc users will? I don't want this turned on without any say in the matter. In point of fact I presently have this turned off and I don't want it turned on just so I can download security updates.
Great for others - not for me. At all.
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|I got news for you, its been there all along. This is just a newer version. Pacakage Installer has been there since Windows 2000. So you don't want permanent updates? Why are you people so resistent to change? If it makes things better, who cares? Like you are going to really be worried there are some updated files on your computer that will enhance Windows.. Give me a break!
You know, there is a MAC with your name on, I think you should start using it...
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|Hey, you should try finding out what programs use the BITS before you go changing it. If you just figured out what it is, most likely you will need to research it more fully. Somethings are really great to have and utilize. I will say this . . . leave it alone. You are not being spied on or served ads. It serves a purpose.
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|I know it serves a purpose but I still have it disabled. I don't need it running - don't second guess me please.
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|BITS is not something that I use either. If you like autoupdates then keep it, if not lose it.
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|If your pc is secure and you aren't downloading crappy P2P adware, there isn't a problem with BITS. Simple solution if you don't believe me: Click Start...Run, type services.msc, and click OK. Find the Background Intelligent Transfer Service and go to properties. Choose to ENABLE before going to windowsupdates, then after your done choose DISABLE (also set to Manual otherwise it'll reenable on restart).
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|It'll be interesting to see if anti-MS people will gripe about this...hey anything like this makes a huge difference--dial-up users need security updates sometimes more than high speed and trust me, having finally just left dial-up myself every single KB saved in download size can make a huge difference!
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|LOL, it has begun!
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|Hey, less time, more money for me! Way to go MS.
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