Microsoft has released a Windows “Update” that is designed to remove software from your computer:
After the download, this tool runs once to check your computer for infection by specific, prevalent malicious software (including Blaster, Sasser, and Mydoom) and helps to remove any infection found. If an infection is found, the tool will display a status report the next time you start your computer. A new version of the tool will be offered every month. If you want to manually run the tool on your computer, you can download a copy from the Microsoft Download Center or run an online version from microsoft.com. This tool is not a replacement for an anti-virus product. To help protect your computer, you should use an anti-virus product.
I see their intent behind this, but I still find it disturbing. Although some users don’t know how to determine what software is on their computer, I have no need for this tool. And yet it was still downloaded automatically and is considered a Critical “Update.”
Sept 16, 2005 Update Looks like Microsoft has created a new version of this tool.
Size: 400 KB
After the download, this tool runs once to check your computer for infection by specific, prevalent malicious software (including Blaster, Sasser, and Mydoom) and helps to remove any infection found. If an infection is found, the tool will display a status report the next time you start your computer. A new version of the tool will be offered every month. If you want to manually run the tool on your computer, you can download a copy from the Microsoft Download Center or run an online version from microsoft.com. This tool is not a replacement for an anti-virus product. To help protect your computer, you should use an anti-virus product.
More information for this update can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/malwareremove
I can’t install this update on my XP. If I let the install, after the reboot the computer say me the new update is available (this again). Why?
I use FireFox and and this update removed all my browser’s extentions, Had to restore my computer to before the update.
Shame on Microsoft - again.
It messed up my anti-virus software badly. I can’t update and re-install it!
This update has caused me so many problems that I used system restore and went back to before the install!!! I create a restore point prior to doing ANY updates! Good thing I follow this habit!!! After the update install, my computer ran VERY, very slow. I couldn’t use my start button to open my programs list very well. It took forever to open, if at all on first try, and then the flyouts wouldn’t open very quickly either!!! I couldn’t get my task manager to open from the taskbar either! All shortcuts to my browsers wouldn’t work! What a ridiculous update and I agree with you totally!! Critical? Yea, right!!!