From Windows Secrets e-mail
windowssecrets.com
The situation with the weird shutdown logic of Windows 7 isn't security-related, but is just an important to many of us. When an issue like this comes up, I wish every bug tester had the ability to muster public support the way Long did. I recall many times when Microsoft has shut down any discussion of bugs by simply labeling them "by design."
Microsoft has already closed at least one bug ticket on the shutdown behavior in exactly this way: calling it "by design." I disagree with Microsoft's decision, and I think you will, too.
Here's the problem: when you set Windows 7's update settings to Download but do not install, the new OS behaves much differently than the same settings in XP and Vista. If I happen to be in a situation where I don't have time to install patches, the shutdown buttons in XP and Vista currently let me turn the machine off without installing patches.
...
In build 7000 of the Windows 7 beta, however, there's no option on the shutdown button to quit without installing the updates. You see only a button for the normal shutdown process, which applies the patches before the machine powers off.
I was caught off guard and found that patches were being installed as the system shut down. I had to turn the system back on to confirm that this is what had happened; it was caused by the lack of an "install patches later" choice.
Workaround for a no-update Windows 7 shutdown
Here's the secret: the only way to shut down Win7 without installing patches is to press Ctrl+Alt+Del and then click the up-arrow by the red shutdown button. This allows the system to shut down without installing patches.
I'm aware that build 7000 is only a beta of Win7 and not a release candidate. I honestly don't know whether this behavior will be included in the final version. If it is, though, I consider it to be a bad design decision that will give many Windows 7 users an unsatisfactory patching experience.
I'm not the only Win7 beta tester with concerns about the way Microsoft is passing over bugs in its zeal to get the product out the door. Don't get me wrong: I like Windows 7 and think you'll like it as well, once you see it in action. However, I'm concerned that a squeaky wheel is what it takes these days to goad Microsoft into making some required alterations. I hope I'm wrong and that Win7's lack of this important shutdown option will get fixed. |
