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re: Microsoft Software Distribution Service 3.0 Sunday, December 23, 2007 at 7:58 am Posted by Steve (22228 messages posted) I don't know about the particular update, but I suggest you turn off Auto Update. Updates can cause problems for some. If you don't like troubleshooting computer problems then why expose yourself. [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Microsoft Software Distribution Service 3.0 Thursday, December 27, 2007 at 12:00 pm Posted by Nayatwa (3 messages posted) Thanks, Steve for your suggestion. I checked, and turned off automatic updating, selecting the option "Notify me, but don't automatically download or install them." I thought my problem would be solved, but a few days later I had to reboot my computer. During the reboot process, my computer was "kidnapped," and a number of updates were automatically performed (without my having been given an opportunity to decide whether or not to install them. After that my double-click was again broken! I check the System Restore utility, and Microsoft had AGAIN surreptitiously downloaded the dreaded "Software Distribution Service 3.0" (on December 24). Am I relegated to a lifetime of trying to restore my system every time Microsoft downloads junk to break my machine? What is this thing anyway? If any other company repeatedly did something like that to my machine, it would be classified as a virus or trojan horse or something much more malevolant than an "upgrade." [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Microsoft Software Distribution Service 3.0 Friday, December 28, 2007 at 6:51 am Posted by Nayatwa (3 messages posted) So, this morning, I woke up to check my computer. To my surprise, it had crashed. The monitor was on, the computer fan was running, but I had a black screen. I rebooted. The computer did its thing, and when Windows resurrected, there was one of those little bubbles down in the corner. I started copying it down manually, but then tried to copy so I could paste it, but as soon as I clicked over it, the whole bubble disappeared. Here is my best paraphrase: "Windows recently downloaded and installed an important security update to protect your computer. Your computer was rebooted to complete the installation of the update..." I had turned OFF the Automatically Install Updates switch. Microsoft did not care. I checked my System Restore utility. Sure enough, last night after midnight, Microsoft invaded my computer, again downloaded and installed Software Distribution Service 3.0, and rebooted my computer, which instead of rebooting, crashed. The only evidence is the System Restore checkpoint for December 28, 2007 that says: "Microsoft Software Distribution Service 3.0." Interestingly, this time, my doubleclick was not broken. Nevertheless, I am annoyed that Microsoft again infiltrated my computer when I told it not to, and in the process crashed my computer. I did almost nothing to the computer since the last restore point before this latest infiltration, so I again restored it to before the attack. In doing so, I clicked on an item that shows files that were renamed. In the interest of documentation, here are the files that were replaced (with renamed files being saved on my machine): iexplore.exe advpack.dll mshtmled.dll url.dll urlmon.dll webcheck.dll All are in c:\windows\system32, except the first, which is in c:\program files\internet explorer [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Microsoft Software Distribution Service 3.0 Monday, December 31, 2007 at 8:42 am Posted by Steve (22228 messages posted) I don't install updates, so not sure what the problem update is about, but I still suggest you completely turn off auto updates, and even Disable it in the Services section. Microsoft only releases updates once a month. So if you really want to install them, then just visit their Web site once a month, review what they have. Then download the ones you want, and watch them install. [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Microsoft Software Distribution Service 3.0 Sunday, February 3, 2008 at 5:04 am Posted by Joyce (1 messages posted) This same issue has been plaguing me for months even though I shut off Automatic Update long ago. I always know my system has been over-taken on boot because the sound is shut off, the clock is an hour behind and the name is changed to the original name I gave it when configuring it on my network. I am ready to throw it out the window! (Preferrably at Bill Gates' head!) On Monday, December 31, 2007 at 8:42 am, Steve wrote: >I don't install updates, so not sure what the problem update is about, but I still >suggest you completely turn off auto updates, and even Disable it in the Services >section. Microsoft only releases updates once a month. So if you really want to install >them, then just visit their Web site once a month, review what they have. Then download >the ones you want, and watch them install. [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Microsoft Software Distribution Service 3.0 Thursday, February 14, 2008 at 8:40 am Posted by michele2007 (131 messages posted) I'm working on the same problem. I am forever turning off Windows Update but then when I turn off McAfee Security System stuff temporarily, it always enables Windows Update again. So Windows Update installed 4 files. I Restored but then it installed them again (even though I had updated turned off) when I closed down my computer. This morning I had 1 screen and then blank. I hit F2 (Setup) and chose Default for my hard drive and things are okay for the time being. I don't use Internet Explorer (I use Avant Browser). I have Windows XP Home. By going to Start, Control Panel, Add or Remove Programs and then checking the box at top for Show Updates, these are the 4 files Windows keeps installing: Security Update for Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 (KB928365) no date it was installed Security Update for Windows Internet Explorer 7 (KB944533) Installed on 2/14/2008 Security Update for Windows XP (KB946026) Installed on 2/14/2008 Security Update for Wiindows XP (KB943055) Installed on 2/14/2008 I think the problem is the Internet Explorer 7 update or the NET Framework update. Can anyone tell me if it would be okay to remove these two? On Thursday, December 27, 2007 at 12:00 pm, Nayatwa wrote: >Thanks, Steve for your suggestion. I checked, and turned off automatic updating, >selecting the option "Notify me, but don't automatically download or install them." >I thought my problem would be solved, but a few days later I had to reboot my computer. >During the reboot process, my computer was "kidnapped," and a number of updates were >automatically performed (without my having been given an opportunity to decide whether >or not to install them. After that my double-click was again broken! > >I check the System Restore utility, and Microsoft had AGAIN surreptitiously downloaded >the dreaded "Software Distribution Service 3.0" (on December 24). > >Am I relegated to a lifetime of trying to restore my system every time Microsoft >downloads junk to break my machine? > >What is this thing anyway? If any other company repeatedly did something like that >to my machine, it would be classified as a virus or trojan horse or something much >more malevolant than an "upgrade." [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Microsoft Software Distribution Service 3.0 Thursday, February 14, 2008 at 3:55 pm Posted by MrAngry (1 messages posted) I'm having the same problem, and it's driving me crazy! I am so sick of microsoft installing things without our knowledge. I wish Microsoft would start worrying about their own software to make sure it's going to work for everyone, rather than things like buying Yahoo! [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Microsoft Software Distribution Service 3.0 Friday, February 15, 2008 at 5:38 am Posted by michele2007 (131 messages posted) I read on another message board to do the following so Microsoft will never update without your permission again. I went to Start, My Computer, C:\Windows\System 32 and looked for verclsid.exe and changed the file extension from .exe to .old. I also Removed the three latest updates (one for Internet Explorer 7 (KB944533) and two for Windows XP (KB946026 and KB943055). So far I have absolutely no problems other than when going to one website with my Avant browser I got an "Internet Explorer Script Error" message but didn't see anything wrong with the web page. I'll wait a few days and one at a time I'll install back the two Windows XP security updates and see if they cause any problems. Besides knowing what exteme problems one or more of these latest updates has caused, I am guessing it's the same reason why my Google Earth won't load and why I can't watch large Utube videos I downloaded and was once able to watch. About 6 months ago Microsoft updates installed something that hogs or hinders my very large memory. I'll never be able to figure that out. [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Microsoft Software Distribution Service 3.0 Tuesday, April 15, 2008 at 12:41 am Posted by Joseph Martel (3 messages posted) Microsoft is the greatest corporation that has ever existed. They will rule all computer users and they will have nothing to say about it. Systems Restore, what a laugh! They will control it and you. [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Microsoft Software Distribution Service 3.0 Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at 6:03 am Posted by michele2007 (131 messages posted) I only got around to re-installing KB946026 back in February and things worked fine. Today I re-installed KB944533 and things work fine. KB943055 may be the problem. I have 10 more updates to install so I'll do those one a day if I remember and just never re-install KB943055. [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Microsoft Software Distribution Service 3.0 Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at 1:06 pm Posted by Joseph Martel (3 messages posted) I had to do a clean install of Windows XP. Everything worked fine until I updated Windows. And there it is in the Sytem Restore panel. The dreaded Microsoft Software Distribution Service 3.0 and it will block the System Restore. Microsoft reputation is bad and it is getting worse. I will try to find out how to delete, KB943055, Thanks a million. On Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at 6:03 am, michele2007 wrote: >I only got around to re-installing KB946026 back in February and things worked fine. > Today I re-installed KB944533 and things work fine. KB943055 may be the problem. > I have 10 more updates to install so I'll do those one a day if I remember and just >never re-install KB943055. [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Microsoft Software Distribution Service 3.0 Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at 9:15 pm Posted by michele2007 (131 messages posted) To get rid of a Security Update: Start Control Panel Add or Remove Programs check the box at top to "show updates" go down until you find the Security Update number you want to remove. Click on it and click Remove Walla! Somewhere in this thread I think I told of what I did to NEVER have windows automatically update for me again no matter what. It works. Now I go to Windows Update when I want and pick what I want. [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Microsoft Software Distribution Service 3.0 Thursday, April 17, 2008 at 2:33 am Posted by Joseph Martel (3 messages posted) It worked. I had never done that before. I found the number of the one to delete in the Windows Update. It got rid of Software Distribution Service 3.0 which was screwing up my System Restore. I don't understand how Microsoft could screw up their System Restore like that. I have It right, now. Is there anyway we could get 100 thousand grateful fans of this forum to contribute $10 a peice to somebody about this. Would be a million dollars and I have mine ready right now. Just tell me where to mail it to. On Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at 9:15 pm, michele2007 wrote: >To get rid of a Security Update: >Start >Control Panel >Add or Remove Programs >check the box at top to "show updates" >go down until you find the Security Update number you want to remove. >Click on it and click Remove >Walla! >Somewhere in this thread I think I told of what I did to NEVER have windows automatically >update for me again no matter what. It works. Now I go to Windows Update when I >want and pick what I want. [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Microsoft Software Distribution Service 3.0 Thursday, June 5, 2008 at 2:36 am Posted by david australia (1 messages posted) thanks for all you guys' help but i too suffer from the dreaded Microsoft Software Distribution Service 3.0 curse! i saw joseph said he found the offending update and removed it. Do we assume that was KB943055? which was the one recommended by the previous poster? I have clicked ready to remove it and i got: securuty update for windows (KB941683) ""(KB944338) Mozilla Firefox (2.0.0.14) Windows Live Installer plus countless others and a message said if KB943055 is removed these programs might not run properly. Do you want to continue? I chickened out! Did the previous 2 posters get this too and were more brave than me? Or what do others get? Should I go ahead and not worry? Thanks any answer appreciated particularly those who have tried On Thursday, April 17, 2008 at 2:33 am, Joseph Martel wrote: >It worked. I had never done that before. I found the number of the one to delete >in the Windows Update. It got rid of Software Distribution Service 3.0 which was >screwing up my System Restore. I don't understand how Microsoft could screw up their >System Restore like that. I have It right, now. >Is there anyway we could get 100 thousand grateful fans of this forum to contribute >$10 a peice to somebody about this. Would be a million dollars and I have mine ready >right now. Just tell me where to mail it to. > > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Microsoft Software Distribution Service 3.0 Thursday, June 5, 2008 at 4:35 am Posted by RM Weston (14 messages posted) Here's good info re: this MS "trick" updating... http://windowssecrets.com/search?cx=017937947691920082874%3A_ilcm6kdy_y&cof=FORID%3A11&q=stealth+update&sa=Search&advWS=1&advByDate=1&advPages=25 [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Microsoft Software Distribution Service 3.0 Thursday, June 5, 2008 at 1:00 pm Posted by michele2007 (131 messages posted) I would chicken out too if it says something else might not run if you remove KB943055. I never got that message. For myself, after installing back the other three (KB928365, KB944533, and KB946026) I have never installed anything except KB945553 and I can't remember why I installed that one. I don't know why your KB943055 is entwined with other programs. I have to have Internet Explorer (Ver 7.0.5730.11) for Avant Browser to work but may not have the latest version and never update it. Good luck. Sorry I can't help. On Thursday, June 5, 2008 at 2:36 am, david australia wrote: >thanks for all you guys' help but i too suffer from the dreaded Microsoft Software >Distribution Service 3.0 curse! > > >i saw joseph said he found the offending update and removed it. Do we assume that >was KB943055? which was the one recommended by the previous poster? I have clicked >ready to remove it and i got: > >securuty update for windows (KB941683) >""(KB944338) >Mozilla Firefox (2.0.0.14) >Windows Live Installer > >plus countless others >and a message said if KB943055 is removed these programs might not run properly. >Do you want to continue? > >I chickened out! Did the previous 2 posters get this too and were more brave than >me? Or what do others get? >Should I go ahead and not worry? > >Thanks any answer appreciated particularly those who have tried > > > > > > > [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Software Distribution Service 3.0 Saturday, August 23, 2008 at 7:15 am Posted by Don Stevenson (1 messages posted) I have the same problem,If this thing is from Microsoft could it be it is designed to pee people off with Xp to make them want to get Vista,or is thing happening with Vista too? On Thursday, December 27, 2007 at 12:00 pm, Nayatwa wrote: >Thanks, Steve for your suggestion. I checked, and turned off automatic updating, >selecting the option "Notify me, but don't automatically download or install them." >I thought my problem would be solved, but a few days later I had to reboot my computer. >During the reboot process, my computer was "kidnapped," and a number of updates were >automatically performed (without my having been given an opportunity to decide whether >or not to install them. After that my double-click was again broken! > >I check the System Restore utility, and Microsoft had AGAIN surreptitiously downloaded >the dreaded "Software Distribution Service 3.0" (on December 24). > >Am I relegated to a lifetime of trying to restore my system every time Microsoft >downloads junk to break my machine? > >What is this thing anyway? If any other company repeatedly did something like that >to my machine, it would be classified as a virus or trojan horse or something much >more malevolant than an "upgrade." [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Microsoft Software Distribution Service 3.0 Saturday, August 23, 2008 at 12:36 pm Posted by michele2007 (131 messages posted) I think the offender is KB943055 because like I said in previous posts, I removed it and only added back a few other updates. But just recently I went to Windows Update and installed all the critical updates it said I needed and all the other updates not critical but didn't install KB943055. I didn't get the Software Distribution 3.0 error. I did, however, have problems using my Excel and Word and it kept wanting me to insert the disk. Not knowing which update was the culprit, I went back and uninstalled every single update it installed and am back to everything working good again. I didn't really uninstall them, I just used System Restore because I had made a restore point before I installed their updates. You might try that. Create a System Restore point (start, Help and Support, Undo changes to your computer with Restore, Create a restore point) and then uninstall KB943055. If you find problems, just restore and KB943055 will be back installed. [Reply or follow-up to this message] re: Microsoft Software Distribution Service 3.0 Tuesday, November 4, 2008 at 6:40 pm Posted by michele2007 (131 messages posted) Well now it's November 2008 and I never installed any more updates and permanently turned them off. I have been roaming the internet with only the Windows Firewall and no virus program and got a Trojan virus. So I downloaded Avast and got rid of that and thought I should install a few of the Windows Security Updates. I went to http://secunia.com where they will scan your computer and tell you what updates you need (without having to go to Windows Update). They test these updates first to let you know which ones will be giving you problems. So they listed 11 for Windows XP Home I should have and 1 Internet Explorer 7.x. I turned the Windows Update back on (didn't even change c:\Windows\System32\verclsid.old back to verclsid.exe which I had done to stop Windows from downloading stuff without telling me.) Updates listed what I needed. I only checked to download the one for the Explorer KB956390 and got that and LOW AND BEHOLD....it also downloaded Software Distribution 3.0 again. I'm not sure but I think if you don't have Software Distribution 3.0, it will install it the next time you download an update. So I went back to the restore point I had made before I downloaded this update and hope it is gone. I think I'll just turn off the updates again and forget about it and just keep using Avast anti-virus. Because I remember all the trouble Software Distribution 3.0 gave me, a lot more than this virus. Software Distribution 3.0 made my computer practically useless. [Reply or follow-up to this message] Tip: Use one of the [Reply or follow-up to this message] links above to add a message to this thread Search this forum Start a new thread on a different subject Report abuse of the forum Return to the Windows XP Discussion Forum