MS malware tool endless installation problem

[CuRoi]

This problem isn't high on the pain scale; it's really more like an itch. I run XP (home edition) and have MS auto update set to ask me about downloading and installing patches. When the monthly security update and "Malicious Software Removal Tool" show up, I routinely accept both. This month, however, the auto update screen keeps nagging me to install the malware tool even though I've already done it several times. I've taken to watching the screens, and can see the process run from downloading through installation, all the way to an "Installation Completed!" screen -- but about five seconds later, the little yellow shield reappears in my system tray, and there it is again: would I like to download the July 2008 Malicious Software Removal Tool?

No, I would bloody well not like to download it -- it has already been installed several more times than necessary. But I can't find any evidence of this in the "Add and Remove Software" list, and I don't know another way to check.

I don't really think I need this tool -- I have two others doing the same job -- but I don't want to turn off auto update altogether. I'd appreciate advice on how to stop the nagging (whether the malware program gets installed or not) without giving up auto upate.

CuRoi

[glc]

Do a manual Windows Update in the Custom mode and see what it offers.

[CuRoi]

Thanks, GLC.

I did as you suggested, and I can't say it wasn't informative. When I selected "Custom," I got "Searching for the best downloads for your computer," followed by a screen with this message:

To use this latest version of Windows Update, you will need to upgrade some of its components. This version provides you with the following enhancements to our service:

• Express and custom installation: Choose only the most recent critical updates or pick and choose from all available updates.
• Smarter downloads: If downloading is interrupted, the process will start up where it left off the next time you download that update.
• Smaller downloads: Only the files your computer needs are downloaded, saving download time and connection-speed costs.
• (etc., etc.)

Below that was a "Details" button which, when I pushed it, revealed "Windows Genuine Advantage" as the apparent source of all these delights. At least, no other download was listed.

A search of my recent download history showed six successful installations of the July Malicious Software tool yesterday and today.

In the meantime, however, I managed to locate its .EXE file on my HD and clicked it, thinking that this might bring about an installation; instead, the program came up and did a scan.

The little gold shield was still in my system tray, still offering to download unspecified updates. I clicked it yet again and went away from the computer to do an errand. When I returned, the icon was gone, and it hasn't come back yet. So maybe the demon has been slain, either accidentally or on purpose. I don't care which, as long as it doesn't come back till next month.

CuRoi

[glc]

You need to proceed with the manual updates one time until no more critical updates are offered. After the WGA check, it will probably want you to update the Windows Installer - and THAT is what might be screwing you up.

[CuRoi]

I've been using Windows for nearly 20 years, and have paid for every copy as a matter of principle, but when I heard about "Genuine Advantage" a couple of years ago (amid the roaring of many critics) I decided that I didn't want to install a little piece of spyware (that, at the time at least, was said to be "phoning home" daily to let Microsoft know what I was up to). If the purpose of this interference was to keep me honest, I found that kind of insulting.

So since then I've resisted every invitation to download WGA. On the other hand, I have installed service packs and have gone through, and passed, the validation process every time I needed to reinstall the OS, so I guess it's possible that WGA got slipped in sometime.

I respect your expertise, and if you think it's necessary and desirable to download WGA, I suppose I'll do it. The auto update program appears to be insisting on this before it will do any more. But since I have been getting the regular monthly critical update packages and installing them without incident (except as reported in this post), I'm not sure it's necessary.

As for the problem I posted about, it seems to have disappeared. I suspect that at some point, either when I was making inquiries on the "help and support" site or when I found and executed the current anti-malware program, a previously neglected bit got reset, and Windows has, in its wisdom, finally concluded that six successful installations in two days is sufficient to let me off further nagging. This month, anyway.

CuRoi

[glc]

I don't like it either, but you have to go through it in order to get the updated installer.

[Ahura]

How good is the Malicious Ware Removal thing? Like what does it do?

I saw it on the list, but I just never bother to even download it. A lil bit skeptical of such a thing.