Microsoft fires up security update beta project

Spinner

Microsoft has launched a new project called Windows Update IU Control, set at aiding the company in its attempts to prevent a repeat of the Blaster worm disaster. The below quote is a message beta testers have recieved from the software giants beta crew.

Dear Beta Tester:

We are starting a new short project called Windows Update IU Control and Automatic Update (AU) Control Refresh (IUAU). We will be verifying the updated version of the Windows Update site control and Automatic Update (AU) control files.

For tips on how to configure and use Automatic Updates in Windows XP, please refer to the Microsoft Knowledge Base article at .

As you test, please focus on the following test scenarios:

1. Evaluate the current version of the control files. You can do this by accessing the Windows Update site without removing the older versions of the control files first.

a. Note the current control file versions for IU The previous control file version(s): Current iuengine.dll version: 5.4.3630.2550 Current iuctl.dll version: 5.4.3630.2550

b. Access the site with the previous control files

c. Check the control file versions to verify the control files were updated to: iuengine.dll 5.4.3790.14 (5.3.3790.13 for 98/ME) iuctl.dll 5.4.3790.14 (5.3.3790.13 for 98/ME) Wuaueng.dll 5.4.3790.14 Wuauclt.exe 5.4.3790.14

2. Evaluate the new control file version(s) after removing all previous control files. :

a. Run the Regupdate tool to remove the site control files

i. Remember IE must be closed when you run this tool

ii. Select No to go to the Live site first - this selection will remove your older control files

iii. Run the Regupdate tool again and select Yes to go to the Beta site

b. From the C:\Program Files\WindowsUpdate\V4 directory,

i. Save the iuhist.xml file
ii. Delete the V4 folder
c. Access the v4beta site
d. Check the control file versions. They should now be: iuengine.dll 5.4.3790.14 (5.3.3790.13 for ansi - 98/ME) iuctl.dll 5.4.3790.14 (5.3.3790.13 for ansi - 98/ME) Wuaueng.dll 5.4.3790.14 Wuauclt.exe 5.4.3790.14

3. After the new AU control files are on your computer, Stop and restart AU

4. Verify the overall performance of AU

5. Verify the overall performance of the v4beta site, detection, URLs, download/install, etc.

Note (sign in with your passport) (sign in with your beta ID and password)

Reset the Registry Key for V4beta Site Access

Most Windows Update beta testers know of the need to set the registry key prior to accessing the v4beta site, but some from the Office Update beta team might not. So please, before you access the v4beta site, go to either under Downloads (sign in with your passport) or (sign in with your beta ID and password) under Tools. You will find the instruction text file within the regupdate*.zip tool file. Please follow the instructions closely when running this tool. When finished, you should have no difficulty accessing the v4beta site.

Newsgroup

We created a special newsgroup for this beta project. We hope you find it helpful. You can access it at microsoft.beta.windows_updatev4.general.

Requirements for Filing a Bug Report

To file a bug report for IUAU, please do the following: 1. Include "IUAU" at the start of the bug report title
2. Make the title informative and descriptive, but brief
3. Describe the problem clearly
4. Detail the information and repro steps
5. Attach related files:
· Windows Update.log, found at C:\Windows · IUhist.xml found at C:\Program Files\WindowsUpdate\V4 (this is a hidden file) · Screenshot files - if they support your bug report

Thank you!

Windows Update Beta Program

Source - The Inquirer