I had a call from Microsoft Legal this morning and they have told me that we are no longer allowed to endorse AutoPatcher on Neowin.

Microsoft will only allow updates to be downloaded from its own servers.

AutoPatcher started in 2003 and has been redistributed in some of the worlds best computer magazine cover CD/DVD's. I have no explanation for why Microsoft allowed it to continue unchecked for 4 years before making this decision.

I asked the representative if Windows Genuine Advantage had anything to do with it and he categorically told me this was not the case, he added that Windows Update for pre-Vista versions of Windows can now be accessed using Firefox and that the concern at Microsoft had more to do with the possible malicious code that could be redistributed with certified Microsoft updates.

We have no grounds to challenge the decision by Microsoft.

I'd like to thank the whole AutoPatcher team for their continued work, unfortunately none of the team is online, but they have been contacted via the AutoPatcher.com website by Microsoft Legal.

The AutoPatcher forums have been disabled for guests and members.

Wow, that's harsh. I can't believe they would pull a move like this. Probably will be some serious backlash from the community!

This is truelly sadly news! AutoPatcher was one of my most appreciated applications and I never had a problem with it.

A big thank you goes out to the AutoPatcher team, you guys did a great job!

Idiots

I think microsoft will change their mind.

It saves us the effort of having to visit their site.

I doubt if this will be finished.

It's great for packaging offline patches, portability, and in many ways more flexible than updating through Windows Update. What does Firefox access on WU have to do with that?? That's not nearly the reason I believe most are using AutoPatcher, and I think Microsoft is missing the problem here, or more likely, they either pretend or don't want to realize the problem. I mean, all Windows users have IE installed anyway, including Firefox users.

AP is more for system administrators and experienced users wanting to package files for easy offline installs, possibly on a network scale.

And of course they'll deny it's for WGA reasons. They don't want to get into the debate of locking in users to their services out of inefficient antipiracy methods again. They'd probably even lie to not have to.

sad to hear this has happened. i think autopatcher is great. i hope that MS changes their minds. and thanks to the team for all their hard work on the program.

Great, just great... We will need to download 100+ patches every time we install XP now?
Seriously, that SUCKS Microsoft!

looks like some windows around will not be updated/ patched anymore... too bad... microsoft will regret and re-consider this stupid decision

While I don't see the need for MS to ban support for AutoPatcher, it is after all a great utility and something that has saved me hours and hours when repairing clients machines, I'm sure they (MS) must have their reasons for this.

I'll continue to support it as long as I can, but it is a massive blow to myself and to the community as a whole that MS have decided to take this action. But, as I've said there must be a good reason why, I'm sure it will all become clear in due course.

I'd like to express my thanks to all the team behind AutoPatcher for the sheer amount of hard work and dedication that they have all shown in making this product, and like others have said, it's a massive blow and it sucks - I feel for you guys.

Ad

This is sad. Odd it took 4 years, and a real shame - this was a well received tool!

Thanks Microsoft, way to **** off a community!

****.

F***ing shocking

corporate bull

****ing ****, they can't do that.
I have to subscribe to neowin now...

Lets hope MS come up with there own solution for it I vaguely remember before XP SP2 they did a security rollup where several updates where in the one download.

I think it would be nice if they offered this every now and then a single download that has all the updates in it after SP2 perhaps they could have it make you register the PC after you have ran the updates on it making it possible to update peoples PC’s for them when they are on dial up etc.

Release the buildprocess & source code to the public.
Then we can make our own builds and µSoft can't stop it anymore.

Long live open source.

this is a real shame. maybe the autopatcher crew can continue to package 3rd party software (like java and flash and the cool tweaks) until microsoft come to their senses.

The single download isn't the point of AutoPatcher though. The cool thing about AutoPatcher is that you have a disc ready with the updates and you don't need to actually download the updates when setting up the computer, which can take quite a long time as it seems the XP update system seems to slow everything down. It also includes several optional updates that are never included in the infrequent rollups that Microsoft puts out. All in all, it's much more convenient to use AutoPatcher when compared to any solution Microsoft has ever provided.

This is a poor decision by Microsoft. I can understand their concern of being blamed if malicious code were distributed with their updates, but the AutoPatcher project has been going for 4 years without incident, so I'm at a loss as to why they would be concerned about this now.

Very disappointing move by Microsoft i must admit. However the cache function on google has helped me out slightly

Wow, thats a real shame. I only just started using it and realised what a great application it is. How very sad

I second this!

Hi Guys,

It's a sad day and I don't mind saying that I am in shock here regarding the AP news.

I appreciate that the AP project is now dead as far as Neowin concerned, however I am wondering if there could be a future for it in another form?

Perhaps if the hotfixes and patches themselves are not re-distributed then MS would be able to live with it?

There are other projects which list the hotfixes for download or automate the download of the hotfixes directly from MS servers for offline use. If this could be combined with the AP framework then we could still have a viable project.

Folks would need to download the hotfixes themselves however once this is done the AP framework could still be useful for installing the hotfixes offline.

I have PM'ed some of the AP team with my suggestions so we will see what will come of it.

At the end of the day this is an attempt by MS to close down a freeware project that competes with their own automated patch distribution systems.

Anyone who thinks this has anything to do with security of the patches is deluding themselves.

Giving that MS had no issues with this project for over 4 years it seems strange for them to object now based on security concerns.

I am also disappointed that the Neowin Staff has let MS run roughshod over this project and done little to fight this action by MS.

Regards

Simon

Is this Microsoft trying to kill off Windows XP on purpose? I really don't understand their objection. Maybe they should release quarterly patch rollups then. Not that they will.

Thumbs down to Microsoft for this Big Brotherish move.

Why would MS allow firefox users to access windows update? I even stopped using nightly builds and switched back to 2.0.0.6 ... nothing.

What a crock of sh**. What is the crap about neowin is not allowed. Is Microsoft telling you what to do now neowin? Cant believe neowin will just do whatever it is told by Microsoft. Who is your daddy neowin lol. Wonder what will happen to http://www.ryanvm.net/msfn/ and sites like that if "Microsoft will only allow updates to be downloaded from its own servers."

Looks like Ryan has pretty much abondoned his pet project anyway. It's been months since the last update.

Are you kidding? Neowin can be taken down faster than you can blink an eye if they don't listen to Microsoft. Go ahead and make your own website as popular as Neowin and then get on some large corporation's bad side, let alone Microsoft's. Let's see how well you do

So Neowin should fight for the right to redistribute what belongs to Microsoft in the first place? Please think before posting, it is Microsoft's software and they can do with it what they wish, they are simply locking down all sources to get patches from so that they can control and ensure that the patches that people receive are genuine.

Shame that Ryan has stopped supporting his project, was a great fan of it combined with nLite.

I could be completely wrong here but perhaps the real reason behind this is SP3 (for XP)? as in since SP3 is essentially just all the updates for XP from SP2 onwards and nothing new (correct me if I'm wrong) and they feel AP would undermind SP3 so they decided to stop AP?? but this is only what I think so take with a grain of salt.

Whoa calm down buddy. You do know when a big corporation with $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ goes after a puny (compared to MS) site you know who loses right? Besides it's MS's softwares they have rights to it if you don't like it then don't use it, simple.

That raised an eyebrow, so I thought I'd test it. Yep, it worked, but only because I set *.microsoft.com to open in an IETab (I don't even have microsoft on my allow list for NoScript because of that). Switching back to the Gecko engine got me a "To use this site, you must be running Microsoft Internet Explorer 5 or later" message.

So I thought of trying a clean installation of FF (in a 2000 Pro VM) without any addons, just in case it was my setup throwing things off: Nope, exactly the same thing. So I call bollocks on that. It only "works" if you've gone to the effort of downloading extra addons and configured them a certain way. Being able to access the Download Center in non-IE doesn't count.

Using the "may contain dodgy code" excuse is pathetic. If we extrapolated that, we'd not use Windows at all due to all the crappy code that needs patching on a monthly basis.

Autopatcher also helps out when WU just refuses to work properly and hangs the CPU (like it does on my fully validated, compliant yadayada XP installation) and also when you don't want to waste bandwidth (and a few hours) by downloading several hundred megabytes of updates since SP2 when you reinstall. And don't get me started on the "Dynamic Update" during installation: last time I tried that (with a Ethernet cable attached) I got Blaster before the install completed as my XP installation disc doesn't have SP2 on it.

Microsoft are extremely unlikely to provide an equivalent. And then they wonder why there is antipathy towards them.

I would say this is obviously an attack by microsoft for me on three front's. Stop people who either refuse (by piracy) / or do not wish to use "windows genuine" to have access to updates, to stop people from thinking windows XP has a future (it'll live past vista!), and lets face it it's a good idea, perhaps it's microsoft's next "original" idea?

It specifically says "malicious" code, and no matter how bugged Windows may be, it's not containing malicious code. I can understand your animosity toward Microsoft, but you're really reaching with that

I would have considered that to be the case as well but since XP SP3 release date is still aimed for 1st Half 2008 according to the Microsoft website i think it's unlikely unless the release schedule has changed.

ABSOLUTELY! Is'nt XP support supposed to end 2009? Will we now be f_o_r_c_e_d onto Vista?

Official support isn't ending until 2009 or whenever (can't remember the official date) and how does this force anyone on to Vista? All they have to do is connect to the Microsoft website and download the patches instead or order the SP2 disc from Microstoft and then install all patches post SP2 whenever they do a clean install. Yes this is going to take longer than just using the autopatcher but in the great scheme of things its not like its going to take days to sort out.

Not really. Many people don't have a problem with sitting through all those updates. Though AutoPatcher is quite popular with the technically-minded crowd, many people deal with the regular Windows Update process on a daily basis and don't complain. AutoPatcher is simply a convenience that is now being taken away by Microsoft and unfortunately we'll just have to deal with it.

wow im blown away ! this sucks AP owned

I wish I was better with Linux, cause this is about the last strike for Microsoft. Vista suckin @ss, now this horrible decision.

The average person who buys a new computer would want automatic updates and support and would not have a "choice". They would have to get Vista when XP support ends.(much too soon!)

Why MS don't recruit AutoPatcher team as they made with Mark Russinovich and Sysinternals?
Keep AutoPatcher ALIVE, this is teh best thing you can do, seriously.

****in bad Microsoft!! **** this is enough!!!!!!

I vote for that !

Sad day =/

I don't get why everyone is so annoyed, I'm shocked auto-patcher was allowed to continue for so long in the first place. Is anyone really surprised by this?

I'm not reaching as I said it was an extrapolation. Since this is by definition hypothetical it isn't something that is the norm (except in Linux zealot camps perhaps). As PsiMoon said it has nothing to do with the authenticity of the patches.

Oh, and many people DO have a problem with sitting through the updates because not everybody is on an all-you-can-eat fatpipe broadband connection. Fancy re-updating XP when you're at the end of a dial-up connection where you get charged by the second? Didn't think so.

Most people have autoupdate on anyway, so it "doesn't matter" so long as their installation doesn't crap out for whatever reason. When it does, they normally call on a more technically minded friend / family member to fix it for them rather than some character to fiddle around and say "it needs a reinstall" and charge £200 minimum for the whole deal. That's where I come in and, yes, Autopatcher is the way to go as it saves hours and hours and hours of piddling about.

And now they've effectively killed it. Here's my bill for the extra wasted bandwidth and time.

Well the torrents are still active so if people still want to get their hands on the latest released versions before the torrents die down people can. All you need to do is know where to look

Awww, damn. What a blow

* * * *...

@DaveLegg, i'd have thought you'd forgive me considering the news...

i'm in a state of shock...

If Neowin had not gone along with what Microsoft has demanded of them in the past, Neowin would not be here now for us to ahve this conversation.

Microsoft monitors Neowin and has a certain amount of say over what happens on the site. The same as is with Bink.nu and others.



Its a great idea, however do you think Autopatcher would stay a free software? They would find some way to say people should pay for the product and/or that it is only for use by companies and not the end user.