Update scatter

Question

I run windows 7, and update is set for "windows only". Nevertheless, I continue to get a scatter of updates that seem to have little or no relevance to the applications installed, or the platform windows is running on.  Examples:

1.  on an AMD 4400 cpu-based machine, I get an optional update for "improved microcode for intel cpu's"

2.  on a machine that does not have Silverlight installed, there's an update presented for Silverlight.  Silverlight might be a plug-in for IE, but it is optional and isn't part of windows?

3.  on a machine that has Office 2000 installed, but NOT Office 2010, I get updates for Office 2010 presented.  And when I queried this with the Answers crew, was advised to install it anyway as insurance.  Which really said that they did not know . . . .

Update is supposed to scan the machine and only present updates which are relevant.  In my view, that means if windows only is set, updates for windows applications not part of the OS are excluded, applications that are not installed, are excluded.  It means that components which are infeasible - eg, wrong cpu type - are excluded.  So, with the continual bloat in the size of windows that is regularly complained about by users and published industry experts, the inability of Update to prevent scatter like this should be a major concern.

Why does Update present inappropriate scatter options like the examples outlined?

Davidk03

Answer 1

Hello David,

Thank you for posting your question on Microsoft Community.

I appreciate you for providing details about your queries.

I also appreciate your concerns about Windows updates.

I would like to know some information about the issue so that we could help you better.

1. Are you referring to a single system or multiple systems? If you are referring to multiple systems, are those computers part of a domain network?
2. Did you install any relevant software such as Office 2010 or Silverlight previously in the computer?
3. What is the KB number of the updates that are offered incorrectly to you?

To find the KB number, please follow these steps:

a. Press Windows + R keys, type appwiz.cpl in run window and press Enter.

b. Click "View installed updates".

Please reply with required information so that we can assist you further.

Thank you

Answer 2

Hi,

Thanks for the prompt response.  Response by detail number:

1.  I run 3 PC's all windows 7 sp1, two are 32bit machines (1 desktop and 1 laptop) and the 3rd is a 64bit notebook.  They are all attached to single local LAN but are not otherwise explicitly recognised to each other as part of a domain.  In general, I note that this scatter effect  occurs on all machines, but the query resulted from some work I was doing on the 64bit notebook, and the examples pertain only to that machine.

2.  The 64bit notebook (HP Pavilion g6-2002au) came new from the store with software pre-installed. 

a.  That included an Office 2010 "get started download" item - not the full suite, just the download and pay more setup icon which lived on the desktop.  That seemed to be common for machines at the time. 

b.  Not sure about Silverlight, but it was installed at one time.

c.  Since I use Office 2000 pro for the limited needs I have , including a docx plug-in for it, I uninstalled the Office 2010 item.  Similar for the Silverlight software.  Those items have been gone from the machine for at least 2 years.  Neither of them (Office 2007/2010 and Silverlight) show in the control panel programs and features page.

3.  The KB articles for the examples I referenced are as follows, (all from the 64bit AMD cpu'd notebook):

a.  Silverlight - KB3056819

b.  The upgrade of microcode for Intel cpu's - KB3064209

c.  Office 2010 - in the installed history, these show in the various KB's as "update for the Office compatibility pack" but the text on one dated about April 2014 says Office 2007.  The most recent one is KB2965210.

These are all recent 2015 dated document updates, and I have not installed any of them.

Davidk