Windows “Black Hole” update causes consternation among users
Late on Tuesday, 11th January 2011, some Microsoft Windows users (at least those who have English as the default language) started noticing a strange update appearing in their Windows Update list. The update is listed as KB976902 and is mysteriously described by Microsoft in this way:
“Install this update to enable future updates to install successfully on all editions of Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2. This update may be required before selected future updates can be installed. After you install this item, it cannot be removed.”
The update was not selected by default for automatic installation and users would have to check the update and schedule it for installation if they have their updates set to notify them.
When searching the Internet for more information on this update it appears that Microsoft has not yet released any more information on the update in the form of a knowledge base article as they usually do. This strange behaviour from Microsoft has left many administrators and users to conclude that the update was mistakenly released early by Microsoft and may in fact be a future plan to prepare systems for the upcoming release of Service Pack 1 for the associated operating systems. Some administrators are warning users NOT to install the update.
Even stranger is that some users have reported that the update subsequently disappeared from their update list leading them to dub it the “Black Hole” update. The appearance of this update has already led to the start of numerous conspiracy theories among users with some claiming that it is another anti-piracy tool from Microsoft which will block all future updates on pirated systems. Others have claimed that the update is a heuristic tool to scan for terrorism related information.
Fortunately one voice of sanity among the chaos claims that he has an official update from Microsoft as follows:
“On Tuesday Microsoft released KB 976902 to customers of Windows 7 through Windows Update. This update was pre-maturely released in English and the KB article had not been published yet. We are in the process of releasing the KB Article so users have more information about the update. This update is a Servicing Stack Update, which can’t be uninstalled. The update will be released at a later date, and it will be required to ensure compatibility with some future updates.”
“If you have already installed the update, there is no action required – there is no impact from the update being on your system. We apologize for any confusion this update may have caused.”
“Also, for extra context – Microsoft did a similar update when we were about to release the SP1 beta (what’s known as a “service stack” update – it helps the OS recognize and work better with the service pack code). As things like a service pack in development hit new milestones (i.e. we just hit RC, before that it was beta), the service stack update gets updated. That’s why folks don’t need to worry about removing it.”
So it appears that you have nothing to worry about after all. If the update has appeared in your list you have several options:
- Do nothing and wait for more information to appear regarding the experiences that people have with the update.
- Install the update as it appears safe to do so.
- Hide the update. This is not recommended as it may do what it says it will do and prevent any future updates of your system.
Windows “Black Hole” update causes consternation among users << Comments and views
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