Windows 7 Offer ??

I always ignore those updates as they are usually not from Microsoft and Window is not really receiving updates as far as I know. I am still using Windows 7 and see no need to update anything except 3rd party security

It is possible that it is from Microsoft to get your computer ready for the Win 10 free upgrade.
You could open Windows upgrade and manually do the upgrades that are optional.

I still run Win 7 on my work machine and I get forced security updates from MS every 2-3 weeks, so they are definitely still updating Win7. That said, I have never known MS to offer to just update drivers or to have a popup tell you about it. I would ignore the "kind" offer.

Dave

haydoracin wrote:
Running Windows 7 using Google as browser. This morning while online a new window popped up supposedly from Microsoft offering a download to update drivers on Windows 7. I'm always skeptical of these offers. Are they really from Microsoft? If so why don't they just update with normal automatic updates? Any thoughts?

If you do that you'll be sending bit coins as payment to some "software" company in RU to "fix" your machine. Anything that pops up in your browser while surfing is NOT legit!

Click "yes" and you're in for a world of hurt. All Microsoft updates come in through your regular Update app in your Control Panel and very few of those updates are driver related unless through OEM channels which are usual best avoided updating from Microsoft anyway.

I sure would report it as a screen shot to Microsoft. They tend to get very cranky with fraudsters. They have a big fist and prosecute. Years ago a computer guru told me, Microsoft has hackers that effectively deal with foreign scumbags. Don't know if that's fact but I wouldn't put it past them...

If it is a legitimate "Windows Update" then it is different from scams and ransomware. I don't use "Windows Update" to update hardware drivers, I prefer to do it myself.

fj12ryder wrote:
If it is a legitimate "Windows Update" then it is different from scams and ransomware. I don't use "Windows Update" to update hardware drivers, I prefer to do it myself.

And you are the exact type of user to become "infected". It is always best to keep Windows updated through Windows Update!

sch911 wrote:

fj12ryder wrote:
If it is a legitimate "Windows Update" then it is different from scams and ransomware. I don't use "Windows Update" to update hardware drivers, I prefer to do it myself.

And you are the exact type of user to become "infected". It is always best to keep Windows updated through Windows Update!

I don't mean to offend, but that is a ridiculous statement. Updating your device drivers through Windows Update is a good way to bork a system. And device drivers have basically nothing to do with the security of your system. Do a little more reading and you'll understand.

USAFBILL wrote:
I always ignore those updates as they are usually not from Microsoft and Window is not really receiving updates as far as I know. I am still using Windows 7 and see no need to update anything except 3rd party security

This is exactly the thinking that keep those of us who work in Enterprise IT shaking our heads? Windows 7 will continue to receive regular security patches and updates until Jan 2020.

Blocking MS security updates is playing vulnerability roulette, in which the odds overwhelmingly favor hackers. I seriously doubt anyone would consciously want to open a backdoor that compromises one's own system. Worse when a compromised system is used as a zombie to attack other users.

haydoracin wrote:
Running Windows 7 using Google as browser. This morning while online a new window popped up supposedly from Microsoft offering a download to update drivers on Windows 7. I'm always skeptical of these offers. Are they really from Microsoft? If so why don't they just update with normal automatic updates? Any thoughts?

Windows doesn't use popups in "browsers" for system updates. So could have been a scam? However, you may get browser notifications for plug-in updates such as Flash or Silverlight for instance.

You can always check the status of WIN updates by clicking the Start Orb, and in Search type "Windows Updates". Click the link to check what MS updates are available.