Avast Windows 7 RE: Meltdown & Spectre

[TheSniggler]

Any word on what is going on with updates for Windows 7?
Checked for Windows updates several times today, nothing…
Has any Win7 Avast user been successful with the new patches??

[Rundvleeskroket]

I’m on Win7. What version should the patch be in?

[system]

I am on windows 7 and have the avast version in this board’s sticky, it hasn’t updated yet (been looking for the registry key that should have been included). The patch for windows is available but I haven’t installed it yet because of this

[TheSniggler]

From what I understand, the Windows Update 7 checks your registry when you start the search for updates process. If it finds the reg entry, then it notifies you that the patch is ready to be downloaded. I believe that if you try this outside of the Windows Update process, say manually, you could be asking for trouble. I have done check for updates on two machines, twice today, with no results. I will keep trying.

[Hopper15]

@The Sniggler post:4

From what I understand, the Windows Update 7 checks your registry when you start the search for updates process. If it finds the reg entry, then it notifies you that the patch is ready to be downloaded. I believe that if you try this outside of the Windows Update process, say manually, you could be asking for trouble. I have done check for updates on two machines, twice today, with no results. I will keep trying.

Why is that?

[system]

@Hopper15 post:5

@The Sniggler post:4

From what I understand, the Windows Update 7 checks your registry when you start the search for updates process. If it finds the reg entry, then it notifies you that the patch is ready to be downloaded. I believe that if you try this outside of the Windows Update process, say manually, you could be asking for trouble. I have done check for updates on two machines, twice today, with no results. I will keep trying.

Why is that?

I think the registry update from third party AV’s is required for the update to be initiated via Windows Update. I think without it, it can and probably will causes issues

[Alikhan]

Refer to this thread: https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=212664.0

Avast released a micro update yesterday and now they’re waiting for Microsoft.

[Hopper15]

@lgreg post:6

@Hopper15 post:5

@The Sniggler post:4

From what I understand, the Windows Update 7 checks your registry when you start the search for updates process. If it finds the reg entry, then it notifies you that the patch is ready to be downloaded. I believe that if you try this outside of the Windows Update process, say manually, you could be asking for trouble. I have done check for updates on two machines, twice today, with no results. I will keep trying.

Why is that?

I think the registry update from third party AV’s is required for the update to be initiated via Windows Update. I think without it, it can and probably will causes issues

Thanks.

I received the registry update on both my PC’s. Checked windows update a few times today and nothing so far.

[system]

@Hopper
I think I have it also but it’s not coming through for me yet either. It might be the way windows update delivery happens.

[TheSniggler]

@Hopper15 post:5

@The Sniggler post:4

From what I understand, the Windows Update 7 checks your registry when you start the search for updates process. If it finds the reg entry, then it notifies you that the patch is ready to be downloaded. I believe that if you try this outside of the Windows Update process, say manually, you could be asking for trouble. I have done check for updates on two machines, twice today, with no results. I will keep trying.

Why is that?

Start reading here: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/list-of-meltdown-and-spectre-vulnerability-advisories-patches-and-updates/

[TheSniggler]

Here’s a clear explanation of why I am waiting for the patch to appear in regular Windows 7 Updates Checking:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4072699/important-information-regarding-the-windows-security-updates-released

[system]

How do I obtain this micro-update? I do not have the registry key needed to install the windows update. I am on windows 7 and using avast free.

[TheSniggler]

No update on either machine today… I plan to still wait it out.

Ain’t no way I am messing with the registry on something like this, don’t need a BSOD on top of it all.

While the anticipated update is supposed to slow PC speed by approx. 30%, I read where Intel will be releasing firmware upgrades this week. Maybe just wait for Intel??? See:

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/hardware/intel-promises-firmware-updates-for-most-modern-cpus-by-the-end-of-next-week/

Not really much info out there on what to do except general media hype.

[Hopper15]

@The Sniggler post:13

No update on either machine today… I plan to still wait it out.

Ain’t no way I am messing with the registry on something like this, don’t need a BSOD on top of it all.

While the anticipated update is supposed to slow PC speed by approx. 30%, I read where Intel will be releasing firmware upgrades this week. Maybe just wait for Intel??? See:

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/hardware/intel-promises-firmware-updates-for-most-modern-cpus-by-the-end-of-next-week/

Not really much info out there on what to do except general media hype.

You can the run Intel-SA-00086 Detection Tool in the link below and see if your PC is vulnerable.
https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/27150

Luckily I don’t have to install those firmware updates.

[Asyn]

→ https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=212691.0

[Rundvleeskroket]

@Hopper15 post:14

You can the run Intel-SA-00086 Detection Tool in the link below and see if your PC is vulnerable.
https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/27150

Luckily I don’t have to install those firmware updates.

Intel-SA-00086 is a completely different issue. Please stop spreading misinformation!

You’re talking about the IME-bug. That has nothing to do with Meldown and Spectre.

[TheSniggler]

Finally got the January rollup update thru Windows Update service today. Download and install ran slower than most, but everything working OK on both PCs. Wonder if there will be an Intel BIOS update and if this will be distributed thru Windows update?

[Rundvleeskroket]

BIOS update via Windows Update? That would be a first (I think).

[TheSniggler]

@Rundvleeskroket post:18

BIOS update via Windows Update? That would be a first (I think).

That would be the logical thing to do… If no BIOS update thru routine Windows Update, then the vast majority of users will not get that BIOS update.

What regular user stays close to Intel?

Perhaps Dell or the OEMs will provide notification or advise when it is available.

[Rundvleeskroket]

Updating the BIOS can be dangerous. If it doesn’t complete properly the system is hosed. And it will be reset to defaults. So the sytem still might not even boot afterwards or find all drives, networks, etc. All this shouldn’t even be done without a full backup.

It would be a recipe for disaster.