IMPORTANT: Defective Windows Update Software: KB3004394

 

The latest Windows Update is causing a range of problems:

“KB 3004394 blocks the installation or update of graphics drivers such as AMD’s new Catalyst Omega. Nvidia users are also reporting difficulty installing GeForce drivers.” – Jason Evangelho

It has been recommended to remove it manually. and MS agrees.

What other problems does it cause?

“USB 3.0 drivers are broken and User Account Control (UAC) prompts have gone haywire. Microsoft has acknowledged that it even prevents the installation of future Windows Updates.

Perhaps most troubling is that the Windows Defender service – crucial software that blocks viruses and malware — has been disabled by the update.” –ibid

MS has already issued a patch for this patch. Sheesh. It’s KB3024777. You might well have been fixed already.

If not: To remove KB3004394, go to Control Panel -> Windows Update -> View Update History -> Installed Updates. Then, highlight the update named KB3004394 and click the “Uninstall” button.

This is confirmed to resolve the issues, and Microsoft has removed the original update from Windows Update.

“The moral of the story is this: Return to your main Windows Update area and change your settings from “Install updates automatically” to “Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them.”- ibid

I’d suggest just one modification of that: If there are “Critical Updates”, especially of the RCE variety (remote code execution) and/or “Zero Day” patches or fixes, install them immediately. Remember, Evangelho is talking about “System patches”, NOT “Security patches”.

73,567 views 19 replies
Reply #1 Top

:thumbsup:

Reply #2 Top

I had to turn off updates. The update you mention is listed along with many others that say failed dated 12/9. I don't get uninstall only "view details" or "copy" If I start windows update it just runs and runs forever till I stop it. Think I will just reformat my computer and start over. Hate the thoughts of doing that but oh well.

Reply #3 Top


“Install updates automatically” to “Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them.”- ibid
End of quote
ALWAYS!

Thanks for the heads up, Doc, I have both KB3004394 and KB3024777 showing as installed.

Reply #4 Top

I checked and I don't have either patch, the bad one of the fix.  So "system patches" are not really needed?  

Reply #5 Top

Barb...they are needed, you just don't have to hurry to install them...waiting a bit won't really hurt.

However, that means you should read about them here: http://blogs.technet.com/b/msrc/

and then make note to download and install them a couple of weeks after they're issued...and to look for reports of problems encountered with them.

Reply #7 Top

TY, Doc!

Reply #8 Top

I don't have either waiting to install.

I definitely don't allow auto-updating....not since both IE10 and IE11 fragged FSX....I'm still on 9 which is likely why I don't have the updates listed...;)

Reply #9 Top

Quoting Wizard1956, reply 3


“Install updates automatically” to “Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them.”- ibid

ALWAYS!

Thanks for the heads up, Doc, I have both KB3004394 and KB3024777 showing as installed.

End of Wizard1956's quote

 

Same Here

Reply #10 Top

Aussie007...

You have a choice...leave things as they are. or uninstall KB3004394 and then KB3024777.

If something screws up, reinstall KB3024777. 

Reply #11 Top

Hmm now I understand why I couldn't update my video card drivers (NVidia) few weeks ago.. it was all about the Far Cry 4 so I reinstalled my Windows..

Reply #12 Top

Quoting DrJBHL, reply 10

Aussie007...

You have a choice...leave things as they are. or uninstall KB3004394 and then KB3024777.

If something screws up, reinstall KB3024777. 
End of DrJBHL's quote

 

Thanks Doc

Things are working OK at the moment so I will leave it alone unless something happens.

Reply #13 Top

From what I see, this only affects Windows 7 service pack 1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1.  Microsoft is saying to leave the update if your operating system is something different.

Reply #14 Top

Quoting c31marius, reply 11

Hmm now I understand why I couldn't update my video card drivers (NVidia) few weeks ago.. it was all about the Far Cry 4 so I reinstalled my Windows..
End of c31marius's quote

Marius...I don't think so. It would have been only since this past Tuesday or Wednesday.

Reply #15 Top

It may be that MS pulled the offending update relatively quickly so only us 'early birds' got stung.

Reply #16 Top

you do realise kb3024777 is basically just an uninstaller for kb3004394?

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/3024777 

"The KB 3004394 update that was dated December 10, 2014 can cause additional problems on computers that are running Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1. This includes the inability to install future updates. This new update is available to remove KB 3004394 from your computer."

 

ps... i saw the 777 very early (wed i think) and was trying to google it.... (given the ms page for it wasn't even up XD) ... the result was...

www.sevenforums.com/.../355004-non-existent-windows-update-kb3024777-even-google-cant-find.html

 

XD

Reply #17 Top

You're right! lol. It's always the the one thing I didn't consider.  :grin:

Reply #18 Top

I agree it appears kb3024777 is an 'uninstaller' for kb3004394, but after kb3024777 is 'installed', kb3004394 remains in the 'installed' updates list.

Gotta love MS.

Makes me almost miss Ballmer.  Almost.

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Reply #19 Top

i don't know... i think it's actually a fairly good way of doing things.

think about this.. it's aiming for the lowest common denominator, so to speak. non-technical people ain't going to faff around uninstalling anything...

trouble would be those who installed the uninstaller and then go around looking to manually uninstall the dodgy patch because they read somewhere that they should be uninstalling things... but don't read enough into the details.... maybe ms has disabled uninstallation for those with the 2nd patch installed?

 

oddly.. i installed the amd catalyst omega (as well as flash updates) before patch tuesday... good thing. :)