Here we go again. Microsoft appears to be trying to sneak telemetry into Windows 7 again, this time by disguising it as a "security-only" update.
Released on Patch Tuesday earlier this week, the update (July 9, 2019—KB4507456 (Security-only update) is billed as having the following "key changes": "Security updates to Windows Server, Microsoft Graphics Component, Windows Storage and Filesystems, Windows Shell, Windows Input and Composition, and Windows Kernel".
There is no mention of the bundled Compatibility Appraiser element (KB2952664), and this "security-only" update which includes non-security elements, coupled with Microsoft's usual lack of transparency has raised suspicions once again.
Woody Leonhard was among those to speak out about the issue:
Contacted by ZDNet's Ed Bott, Microsoft responded with a "terse no comment".
If you've installed the update and want to avoid the appraiser, you can simply disable the following tasks in the Task Scheduler:
https://www.zdnet.com/article/micro...ding-telemetry-files-to-security-only-update/
Released on Patch Tuesday earlier this week, the update (July 9, 2019—KB4507456 (Security-only update) is billed as having the following "key changes": "Security updates to Windows Server, Microsoft Graphics Component, Windows Storage and Filesystems, Windows Shell, Windows Input and Composition, and Windows Kernel".
There is no mention of the bundled Compatibility Appraiser element (KB2952664), and this "security-only" update which includes non-security elements, coupled with Microsoft's usual lack of transparency has raised suspicions once again.
Woody Leonhard was among those to speak out about the issue:
Microsoft included the KB2952664 functionality (known as the "Compatibility Appraiser") in the Security Quality Monthly Rollups for Windows 7 back in September 2018. The move was announced by Microsoft ahead of time.
With the July 2019-07 Security Only Quality Update KB4507456, Microsoft has slipped this functionality into a security-only patch without any warning, thus adding the "Compatibility Appraiser" and its scheduled tasks (telemetry) to the update. The package details for KB4507456 say it replaces KB2952664 (among other updates).
Come on Microsoft. This is not a security-only update. How do you justify this sneaky behavior? Where is the transparency now.
Contacted by ZDNet's Ed Bott, Microsoft responded with a "terse no comment".
If you've installed the update and want to avoid the appraiser, you can simply disable the following tasks in the Task Scheduler:
- \Microsoft\Windows\Application Experience\ProgramDataUpdater
- \Microsoft\Windows\Application Experience\Microsoft Compatibility Appraiser
- \Microsoft\Windows\Application Experience\AitAgent
https://www.zdnet.com/article/micro...ding-telemetry-files-to-security-only-update/