WinXP: after 2 yrs, only have 1 Windows critial update?!

[JEDI]

i haven't powered up my winXP laptop since 2012.

because of the impending WinPX cutoff by microsoft, I decided to turn it on to get critical updates.

the only update I got was the malicious tool removal for march 2014.

WTF?!

 

[Elixer]

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/security/dn481339 is useful if you want to get everything, and don't want to use windows update.

However, having said that, even with all the updates they have, that still don't protect you from the tons of malware floating around out there...
Maybe it is time to stick a fork in it, or don't use it for anything that requires online access.

 

[cubby1223]

Disable the automatic updates & bits services, delete the entire softwaredistribution folder, re-enable services. Usually resets the system to check again for new updates.

Also, depending on where you are with updates, XP can take extraordinary times seeking out, downloading, and installing updates. The algorithms to check for updates, I believe it grew exponentially the more updates that get released. If you do a fresh install with an SP3 cd, the initial update process afterwards easily runs 4 or 5 hours.

 

[JEDI]

Disable the automatic updates & bits services, delete the entire softwaredistribution folder, re-enable services. Usually resets the system to check again for new updates.

Also, depending on where you are with updates, XP can take extraordinary times seeking out, downloading, and installing updates. The algorithms to check for updates, I believe it grew exponentially the more updates that get released. If you do a fresh install with an SP3 cd, the initial update process afterwards easily runs 4 or 5 hours.

if I delete the entire softwaredistribution folder, wont it download EVERYTHING from since SP3 was introduced last decade?

or it wont download updates that are already installed?

 

[Rio Rebel]

In 21 days, those updates will be even harder to come by.

 

[Mantrid-Drone]

In 21 days, those updates will be even harder to come by.

That's not what MS or most other sources, including those on this forum, have said.

 

[G73S]

if I delete the entire softwaredistribution folder, wont it download EVERYTHING from since SP3 was introduced last decade?

or it wont download updates that are already installed?

NO

deleting that folder is not deleting your currently installed updates. That folder is simply the temp download folder for windows updates. often deleting everything in it resolves issues where Windows update doesn't work

After your updates are installed and you rebooted, it is always safe to delete it

in fact, I have it set as a custom folder in CCleaner to delete

 

[bunnyfubbles]

In 21 days, those updates will be even harder to come by.

microsoft just won't create any more new updates, the old ones will still be available

 

[DrGreen2007]

Dont delete the folder, delete the contents of SoftwareDistribution folder
You also dont have to disable the services, just stop them, delete the contents, start them