DigitMemo.com

The stealth updates by Microsoft in July and August could prevent Windows XP users from installing up to 80 recent patches.

Microsoft officials say they are investigating reports that files the company deployed this summer prevent Windows XP users who run a built-in “repair” function from installing as many as 80 of the company’s latest security patches.

“We are aware of reports about customers not being able to download some updates from Windows Update when using the latest version of the Windows Update client and after reinstalling Windows XP system files from CD. We take this issue very seriously and are investigating the root cause of this behavior and what options are available to address it.” “We have tested and confirmed that the silent updates actually prevent a repaired copy of Windows XP from loading the latest patches. We initially thought Microsoft’s stealth update, though unwise, was harmless. But that is not the case, because it cripples the updating process on XP after the repair option is used.”

The issue was brought to light by Scott Dunn, a writer and associate editor with Windows Secrets Newsletter. According to Dunn, the problem is stealthy updates deployed by Microsoft in July and August. The files prevent Windows XP users who utilize the repair function from installing recent patches.

Microsoft, based in Redmond, Wash., urged customers that are experiencing this issue to contact customer service.