Microsoft needs to know what number of out-of-support copies of Office are put in on Windows PCs, and it intends to search out out by pushing a patch by Microsoft Update that it swears is secure, not that you just requested.
Quietly talked about in a help publish this week, replace KB5021751 is concentrating on variations of Office “including” 2007 and 2010, each of which have been out of service for a number of years. Office 2013 is additionally being requested after because it’s as a consequence of lose help this coming April.
“This update will run one time silently without installing anything on the user’s device,” Microsoft mentioned, adopted by directions on the right way to obtain and set up the replace, which Microsoft mentioned has been scanned to make sure it is not contaminated by malware.
“Microsoft scanned this file for viruses by using the most current virus-detection software that was available on the date that the file was posted. The file is stored on security-enhanced servers that help prevent any unauthorized changes to it,” the Windows large mentioned on the replace discover web page.
No restart is wanted after set up, Microsoft mentioned.
Are you prepared for your thriller replace?
Microsoft’s description of its out-of-support Office census replace leaves a lot to the creativeness, together with whether or not the paragraph describing set up of the replace, instantly contradicting the paragraph above, is merely misplaced boilerplate language that does not apply to KB5021751.
Also lacking is any clarification of how the replace will collect data on Office installations, whether or not it is amassing another system info or what precisely shall be transmitted and saved by Microsoft.
Because the character of the replace is unclear, it is also unknown what could also be left behind after it runs. Microsoft mentioned that it is a single-run, silent course of, however left off point out of traces of the replace which may be left behind.
Ultimately, it is anticipated to cellphone dwelling to Microsoft to let the mothership know when you’re working an previous Office.
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Microsoft additionally failed to say what it intends to do with the information it collects from the replace, although one can guess.
We’ve posed all these inquiries to Microsoft, and we’ll replace this story in the event that they reply.
Opting out
Those uncomfortable working an replace that is gathering and transmitting unknown system data to Microsoft aren’t out of luck, supplied you are snug doing a little Windows troubleshooting. Microsoft’s Show or Hide Updates troubleshooter for Windows 10 and 11 is out there as a obtain from Microsoft, and whereas designed to disable updates that repeatedly fail to put in or are inflicting points, it may also be used to disable undesired ones from being put in.
Disabling any replace can have unexpected penalties so this, clearly, is accomplished at your personal threat. The Register is not recommending you disable Windows updates when you usually routinely or routinely set up them – we’re solely declaring that it is an possibility.
We know that numerous you undergo a cycle of testing updates earlier than deploying them, anyway, for causes apparent to any Windows admin. ®
…. to be continued
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