Eep. "New updates are ready to install"

[Michael Fortson]

I'm used to periodically checking "sofware updates" to see what I'm supposed to be updating on my system. But this morning it took the initiative and told me about them itself. I'm not sure if this is good or bad 8) ...it seems harmless and useful enough (and it didn't just go and update on it's own). I'm guessing this new mechanism came along with the XP service pack.

Hmm. Has anyone figured out how to get that option to hide middleware to work? I couldn't find it.... and the omnipresent Messenger icon annoys me.

[Chris Nahr]

I'm used to periodically checking "sofware updates" to see what I'm supposed to be updating on my system. But this morning it took the initiative and told me about them itself. I'm not sure if this is good or bad 8) ...it seems harmless and useful enough (and it didn't just go and update on it's own). I'm guessing this new mechanism came along with the XP service pack.

Using the "traditional" Start Menu, choose Start -> Settings -> Control Panel -> System -> Automatic Updates. Uncheck the "Keep my computer up to date" option to disable automatic updates, or change the options below if you just want to adjust it.

Hmm. Has anyone figured out how to get that option to hide middleware to work? I couldn't find it.... and the omnipresent Messenger icon annoys me.

I don't understand what you mean by "hide middleware to work" (is that English?) but you can disable Messenger's automatic startup from within Messenger. Bring up the Messenger window, then choose Tools -> Options -> Preferences, then uncheck "Run this program when Windows starts". Now Messenger will only appear if you start it manually.

[Desslock]

>Now Messenger will only appear if you start it manually.

...Or if you run a related program, like Outlook Express, or go to hotmail.com.

The "autoupdate" function isn't new to Windows with XP, by the way.

[JeffL]

I got so tired of Messenger finding ways to restart itself I went in and renamed the exe. Kept it, in case I needed it for some oddball reason in the future, but renamed it. Since then, no stealth restarts.

[Michael Fortson]

I don't understand what you mean by "hide middleware to work" (is that English?)

Oh come on :wink: the phrase was "the option to hide middleware"... getting that to work... meaning the option that was added as a result of the settlement with the DOJ, which was supposed to allow you to hide most of the things that MS has added on to windows... things like chat, media player, browser... all that. I'd like to use it to remove Messenger more permanently, although I still have a feeling Outlook will try to convince me that it cannot function without Messenger. But it seems that legally mandated option is well hidden.

The "autoupdate" function isn't new to Windows with XP, by the way

No, but it turning itself on is new. And it's actually something I read in the license agreement... that by installing the upgrade you grant Mircosoft permission to download updates as it sees fit. Somewhat big brotherish :? but seemingly harmless so far.

[Michael Fortson]

I got so tired of Messenger finding ways to restart itself I went in and renamed the exe. Kept it, in case I needed it for some oddball reason in the future, but renamed it. Since then, no stealth restarts.

Ahh... good idea. Found it... hidden file called "msmsgs.exe". Thanks! And shockingly, despite the dire warnings, Outlook continued to function just fine without it :roll:

[Jason Cross]

Ah... what you're talking about isn't what's typically called "middleware," but I know what you mean now.

At the top of your Start -> All Programs menu, there should be something that says, "Set Program Access and Defaults." That's what you're looking for. It's also the bottom option on the left side of the Add/Remove Programs app.

Middleware, BTW, is software that is bought and used as pieces of more ellaborate software. Back-end databases for MMORPGs, Unreal/Quake/Lithtech game engines, Karma or Havok physics engines, LipSync, etc. It's not software the end-user uses, it's software that software developers use (excluding obvious content creation tools like art packages and audio editing).

[Chris Nahr]

...Or if you run a related program, like Outlook Express, or go to hotmail.com.

Oh. Well, good thing I never do such nasty things. :) I'm using Eudora for e-mail and Agent for Usenet, that's probably why I never got those "stealth restarts."

[Michael Fortson]

Thanks Jason :)

Actually though it is extensively called middleware by MS, the DoJ and the states when they're describing the bolt-ons to windows, presumably because they're all defended by MS as conduits to that sort of functionality, which can be accessed by other client applications which derive benefit from their use. For example IE in the case of file and help browsing for various apps, and Passport supplied via Messenger in the case of email clients like Outlook.

Supplying that middleware is discussed as a competitive advantage to MS, which is why Netscape etc are keen on having that layer be replaceable... although the current method of "hiding" access to purportedly crucial integrated functions seems to be pretty superficial, and it's been shown that they can reappear at the launch of certain applications which seem have already gotten into the habit of invoking the service by explicitly calling the executable, rather than relying on protocol or file type references to let the OS handle the request.