Posted on 01/12/2019 8:19:09 AM PST by dayglored
Activation server fiddling on day of monthly update... really?
Microsoft has said that activation errors seen by Windows 7 users should not be chalked up to Tuesday's patch, but rather were an entirely different cockup.
Windows Activation Technologies is the Jiminy Cricket of Windows 7, chirping at you if it thinks you might not be paying for your licensing. Combining Jiminy with the Key Management Service (KMS) on Windows 7, as many enterprise customers likely do (even though Microsoft wishes they wouldn't), hasn't caused too many headaches.
Until this week.
A tweak to the Activation Servers saw happily licensed Windows 7 users suddenly presented with "Windows is not genuine"-type notifications from 10:00 UTC on January 8, surprising BOFHs already dealing with loss of folder sharing for some users thanks to the January update.
Even Microsoft was initially confused, before finally updating its known issues for the iffy update to insist that just because activation errors appeared to start happening just after the update was installed, it didn't mean that was the cause.
"The timing of this issue coincides with the release of the January updates (KB4480960 and KB4480970) that were released on Tuesday, January 8, 2019. These events are not related."
After a long day of head-scratching, someone at Microsoft had a lightbulb moment and at 04:30 UTC on 9 January, the activation server change was reverted, fixing the issue for many. Microsoft would still very much like enterprise users to uninstall the Jiminy Cricket update (aka KB971033) because it is aimed at consumers.
Borkage of the activation servers is nothing new in the Windows world. Lucky Windows 10 Pro users suddenly found themselves relegated to Home status last November.
However, updating the servers Windows uses to check it is the real deal on the same day that users get their important patches takes a special kind of planning. ®
It WASN'T the update, says Microsoft: Windows 7 suffers identity crisis as users hit by activation errors
What is this ‘Windows’ of which you speak?
In a world without walls, who needs windows?
Reason 1 million why I went to Linux. I can’t risk that kind of shutdown.
The update is waiting to install on my computer. Think I’ll keep it waiting.
I generally avoid updating software to the extent possible so as to avoid breaking working software.
The good news is that MS has promised to quit rolling out updates for Win7 next year, so it should finally become stable.
Well, that's one (valid) way to look at the support cutoff.
The other is that we "What? Take My Win7 Away? FMCDH!" users will not get the benefit of security updates. After Jan 2020, surf with greater care.
My Win10 got slower and slower. I tried all kinds of virus software and nothing helped. I was driven to Linux. It is just as fast now as the day I installed it.
It was the dog, honest!
“Even Microsoft was initially confused, before finally updating its known issues for the iffy update”
I do not believe this for one minute. They tried to pull something to force everyone to upgrade to 10 and got caught. But the opposition and attention it got made them cover it up. MS NEVER does anything wrong or make mistakes. Just call customer service and they will tell you this straight up with no flex. It’s always your fault never theirs.
Yes, I’m still mad about your last MS post... Just the word “windows” sets me off anymore. lol
[[After Jan 2020, surf with greater care. ]]
I do- by using linux to surf the net with lol- only use windows for windows only games, and photoshop
This article might be of use if the one that cobbled it together was more interested in giving fact instead of trying to be so cute!
We should start a Linux group here to collaborate...
The Register does have a penchant for cutesy, sarcastic writing. OTOH they also have an excellent record of coming out with tech scoops hours or days ahead of most everyone else, which can be advantageous in the case of problems.
I find that following their links to the original articles/papers have drier but more complete descriptions.
ShadowAce runs the (mostly-Linus) Tech Ping List. I suggest you start there, if you're not already on it.
Oops. s/(mostly-Linus)/(mostly-Linux)/
I’ve got to reinstall Windows 7 on a PC tomorrow. I’ll let you know how it goes.
We had multiple instances of this last week. It coincided with a change of KMS (virtual) server. It was fun to watch them squirm!
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