Korean company Samsung addresses the issue about its SW Update tool that disables Windows Update from automatically updating Microsoft's operating system on Samsung computers. The company stated that it would be releasing a patch through the Samsung Software Update notification so that Samsung computers running Windows will return to default and Microsoft's recommended settings of automatically installing Windows updates.
Earlier this week, Microsoft researcher Patrick Barker documented on his blog that he discovered a file named Disable_Windowsupdate.exe after assisting a user in troubleshooting his Samsung computer. With this program installed, Windows users will have to manually install Microsoft's patches to update their computers. Barker also discovered that with Disable_Windowsupdate.exe, even if Samsung users already re-enabled the "Install updates automatically" option on Windows Update, once the computer rebooted, the program will inconveniently return the Windows system to manual updates.
"As part of our commitment to consumer satisfaction, we are providing our users with the option to choose if and when they want to update the Windows software on their products," according to a statement issued by Samsung.
It has not been clarified how many Samsung computers were affected by the Disable_Windowsupdate.exe, but it has been programmed to work on all computers with Windows XP and higher, across different language settings. Some reports mentioned that Samsung users have been complaining about this issue since April.
When Barker contacted Samsung's support team, the company explained that it had to create a program that would prevent Windows Update from overwriting Samsung's default hardware drivers such as those for its USB 3.0 ports. This reply implies that Microsoft's default drivers were the reason for Samsung's laptop components to malfunction and the company's quick solution was to outright disable all Windows updates.
However, this quick fix by Samsung not only disabled Windows drivers, it also stopped other Windows Update functions, and most importantly, the day-to-day security updates that protect computers against malicious software.
Microsoft and Samsung have teamed up to address the issue. Microsoft's stand on security matters prevailed over Samsung's hardware concerns.
Samsung users were reassured that the company's soon-to-be released patch would update their computers' drivers and improve its functionalities without compromising Windows security functions.
Photo: Microsoft Sweden | Flickr
