| Monday, May 11 2009 |
Having propagated Windows 7 RC to a sizable amount of users, Microsoft has created an ideal environment to test the operating system's update system. To test it, Microsoft will release up to ten mock updates this week, starting from Tuesday. The updates do not affect the system in any way, except that they are used by Microsoft to test how the update system itself is able to deal with the various kinds of updates to the OS and its components, in various scenarios generated by people's different hardware configurations and software environments.
These however, won't be the first updates Windows 7 RC received so far. On May 7, Microsoft released a critical-update that fixes an important stability issue with the 32-bit version of Windows 7 RC. Most mock-updates will install automatically. A certain mock-update will also test a notification feature. This particular update will not install automatically, but rather the user will be prompted to install it (which is what is being tested). To decline from testing the updates, users must toggle Automatic Updates to a setting other than what the OS recommends. Under the hood, the mock-updates simply replace system files with their exact duplicates that are downloaded, hence the system isn't affected in any way. Tests such as these will help Microsoft come up with a much more stable OS when it finally releases.
Sources: WindowsTeamBlog, PC World
These however, won't be the first updates Windows 7 RC received so far. On May 7, Microsoft released a critical-update that fixes an important stability issue with the 32-bit version of Windows 7 RC. Most mock-updates will install automatically. A certain mock-update will also test a notification feature. This particular update will not install automatically, but rather the user will be prompted to install it (which is what is being tested). To decline from testing the updates, users must toggle Automatic Updates to a setting other than what the OS recommends. Under the hood, the mock-updates simply replace system files with their exact duplicates that are downloaded, hence the system isn't affected in any way. Tests such as these will help Microsoft come up with a much more stable OS when it finally releases.
Sources: WindowsTeamBlog, PC World
User comments
Cool, Microsoft doing smart things once again to make sure that they don't put out another crappy product.
Just say 'release' man, LOL!
Just say 'release' man, LOL!
Ops nice one Microsoft telling your beta users that this is a drill, wonder how that will effect the test? Especially those with usage/bandwidth caps.
by: GzeroThose worried about their bandwidth should disable Automatic Updates or keep it from automatically downloading the updates.
Ops nice one Microsoft telling your beta users that this is a drill, wonder how that will effect the test? Especially those with usage/bandwidth caps.
by: Gzerosee below
Ops nice one Microsoft telling your beta users that this is a drill, wonder how that will effect the test? Especially those with usage/bandwidth caps.
by: StudabakerAny user with a download limit should already have those disabled.
Those worried about their bandwidth should disable Automatic Updates or keep it from automatically downloading the updates.
Hell, i dont see any situation for a home user where having it anything thats not manual is a good idea. Gaming? alt tabbing to the desktop to let you know of an update causes crashes.
Typing an office doc? i've hit enter before right as the popup appeared, restarting my PC and erasing all my work.
Well you know what happens when it is left to manual? I'll tell you a real life example. My little sister's friend wanted to play WoW. I noticed her Vista was well out of date (sp1 still had to be installed). Guess what? Her PC stopped 'working'. Her dad blamed WoW... what a genius...
by: Gzeroi have mine set to "notify" - it has a popup when updates are available, but doesnt automatically download them. Much better option than disabled, or auto download.
Well you know what happens when it is left to manual? I'll tell you a real life example. My little sister's friend wanted to play WoW. I noticed her Vista was well out of date (sp1 still had to be installed). Guess what? Her PC stopped 'working'. Her dad blamed WoW... what a genius...
Updates are working smoothly so far for me... the manual one required for "Windows XP Mode" went through fine, it updated the graphics driver on my Eee, etc.
Are you kidding me? Anyone browsing this site is far above an average user and knows that updates are important. Your typical user though, without automatic updates, won't even think to update their computer because they're technologically retarded. Then you run into problems like idiots getting Conficker even though it was patched months ago.
by: Mussels
Hell, i dont see any situation for a home user where having it anything thats not manual is a good idea. Gaming? alt tabbing to the desktop to let you know of an update causes crashes.
Typing an office doc? i've hit enter before right as the popup appeared, restarting my PC and erasing all my work.
Are you kidding me? Anyone browsing this site is far above an average user and knows that updates are important. Your typical user though, without automatic updates, won't even think to update their computer because they're technologically retarded. Then you run into problems like idiots getting Conficker even though it was patched months ago.
by: somestranger26How you get that?
Updates are working smoothly so far for me... the manual one required for "Windows XP Mode" went through fine, it updated the graphics driver on my Eee, etc.
by: MusselsMe too! :D
i have mine set to "notify" - it has a popup when updates are available, but doesnt automatically download them. Much better option than disabled, or auto download.
Shame I have to battle (well log off and then log on again or restart explorer) through the system tray disappearing icons on some boot ups. Nice how MS never fixed that for XP.
by: somestranger26
Are you kidding me? Anyone browsing this site is far above an average user and knows that updates are important. Your typical user though, without automatic updates, won't even think to update their computer because they're technologically retarded. Then you run into problems like idiots getting Conficker even though it was patched months ago.
I couldn't agree more!! I do internet support for a huge cable provider in the U.S. and you wouldn't believe how many people ignore their "yellow shield" or don't even know what it is. I find out about it when I want them to find their "network connection" icon by having them hover over them all to tell me what the pop-up balloons say and they blurt out "updates are ready for your computer" I ask "when was the last time you installed updates for your computer" and they say "never"!!!! Oh god!!:rolleyes:
It's good to see that M$ is finally doing it right this time around by allowing all users to preview their new OS and not just Technet and MSDN members...afterall, it is the regular user's habits that are the most important as they are the majority and they depend much more on the OS for drivers and such than us folks!
by: GzeroNever had that issue with XP 32bit or 64bit, although task manager disappears on me in win 7 time to time.
Me too! :D
Shame I have to battle (well log off and then log on again or restart explorer) through the system tray disappearing icons on some boot ups. Nice how MS never fixed that for XP.
It's a well known bug with explorer and SSDP/UPNP services (great for media and auto port mapping). I'm not gonna cry over not finding my remove hardware safely icon though since I know how to find the safe removal window elsewhere.