Microsoft has changed the content of Microsoft update, you now need a UPS.

[johnwhelan]

Microsoft are now including BIOS updates in Microsoft update. If you get a power outage whilst updating the bios you can brick your computer. There have been a number of instances of this happening. It's rare but if you get affected it's very real.

Ideally you want something like a cyberpower UPS running the cyberpower software set to instruct windows to power down the machine when there is five minutes of power left. This is the default.

Cheerio John

 

[pware]

I could find nothing on this from Microsoft but other sites offered the following (or similar) general advice:-

"Windows updates don't explicitly require a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) but it's highly recommended to have one."

I suspect that this has always been the case. Power interruptions have always been a risk - here we have experienced just two during the last 5 years, one due to storm damage (which may be an increasing risk) and the other due to an errant motorist bringing down a power pole. The odds are low but theoretically the next one could happen while I am typing this post.

I don't have a UPS and do not feel the need for one. Where I last worked a UPS powered the network file server and only provided enough power to allow for an orderly and immediate shut down, not enough to continue its operation (no other computers on the network would have had any power so what would be the point?). From my limited experience and knowledge of them (which is not up-to-date I will admit) they do not have the battery capacity to keep a modern desktop computer running for an extended period of time so operating long enough for a major BIOS or system update to be completed may not be possible.

 

[pcas1986]

The latest Windows update I got has caused havoc for me. I'm about to head off for a holiday and yesterday got out my HP Omen laptop to take with me. It hadn't been run for several months so MS decided to update it for me. Without asking it copied all my shortcuts on my regular PC to my laptop. These were pointing to several versions of Trainz, Blender and a bundle of other stuff I don't have on my laptop. So, I decided to clean it up on my laptop. You can probably guess what happened next. All those links I deleted also got deleted on my regular PC. (insert any number of expletives here)

I'm sure all those wonderful and very clever people at MS with their focus groups, teams working, and all the new business ideas, that aren't really new at all, think they are doing me a favour by duplicating my desktop but for someone like me that makes zero sense. I don't really want my stuff backed up to the MS Cloud as well as Apple trying to do the same thing. It's no surprise that I can go have a cup of coffee, breakfast, and a shower while my PC starts up in the morning.

On my newly up to date laptop I can see how NASDEQ is doing, links to the latest Washington news, a story about the Patriots coach, etc before I even get a chance to log on. I'm not in control of my life anymore.

 

[pware]

Without asking it copied all my shortcuts on my regular PC to my laptop

That looks like you have not correctly configured your OneDrive. I have 4 computers connected to my OneDrive but they are set to only sync (share) the OneDrive data files, not desktop icons or pictures.

Google Syncing Microsoft OneDrive for guides on how to do this.

 

[pcas1986]

That looks like you have not correctly configured your OneDrive. I have 4 computers connected to my OneDrive but they are set to only sync (share) the OneDrive data files, not desktop icons or pictures.

Google Syncing Microsoft OneDrive for guides on how to do this.

There was no synchronisation before all this started so I had no reason to change anything. Afterwards I did go into both machines to check what was being uploaded and both had desktop synchronisation disabled.
I manage my backups to a local NAS mirrored set of drives so I don't need my stuff up in the cloud.

I don't think much of Microsoft's on-line help. I just wish MS would put out a bare bones Windows without all the rubbish they think we need.

 

[johnwhelan]

If you are running a laptop with a reasonable battery you don't need a UPS, if you're running a Dell supportassist gives you much more control over software updates such as BIOS updates and also includes a few driver updates that Microsoft may not include.

I use a Microsoft account as an admin account but work in a normal non-micrososft account for day to day stuff. That way Microsoft does not copy over anything from my work accounts from one machine to another and doesn't keep quite the same track on what I'm doing.

Cheerio John

 

[HPL]

To prevent Windows to update drivers (including BIOS/UEFI), open the Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc)

• In left panel go to: "Computer Configuration" => "Administrative Templates" => "Windows Components" => "Windows Update" => "Manage updates offered from Windows Update"

• In right panel enable "Do not include drivers with Windows Updates"

 

[johnwhelan]

To prevent Windows to update drivers (including BIOS/UEFI), open the Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc)

• In left panel go to: "Computer Configuration" => "Administrative Templates" => "Windows Components" => "Windows Update" => "Manage updates offered from Windows Update"

• In right panel enable "Do not include drivers with Windows Updates"

Yes but make a mistake whilst doing this and it doesn't work. For most people just adding a UPS is a simpler, more robust solution and there are reasons why you might want the latest BIOS update which is probably why Microsoft started adding them in the first place.

Cheerio John

 

[RetroRails12]

That looks like you have not correctly configured your OneDrive. I have 4 computers connected to my OneDrive but they are set to only sync (share) the OneDrive data files, not desktop icons or pictures.

Google Syncing Microsoft OneDrive for guides on how to do this.

this is the EXACT Reason NOT to use One Drive from MS......

 

[pdkoester]

UPS is great for people with power problems. I have had one for 12 years, replaced every 4-5 years. Where I am living now does not have power issues, but I am not about to decommission the UPS yet. I have never heard of BIOS updates from Microsoft, sounds a little suspicious to me. Is this newer operating system integration with newest motherboards? Mine is likely over year old, running a 12th Gen Intel. I know there is a setting for DRIVERS but not of BIOS.

 

[norfolksouthern37]

To the title of this thread: This has been a delivery method for over a decade. Seems like this was an impulse post with no real new information.

Updates to BIOS over windows update are not typical, especially if you don't tend to use certain mfrs products, but UEFI encapsulation can usually be disabled in your mainboard's bios if you do have it. This will prevent windows update from doing anything there.

or just have a UPS. I have used one for 15 years and never regret it. I can get 30-45 minutes run time at low CPU use. If the power ever goes out while working or gaming there is plenty of time to wrap things up and safely store data.

 

[autodctr]

I have UPSs on all of my machines, the Xfinity box, and my TV.

 

[JCitron]

Updating BIOS will occur if you have the option checked in Windows updates to include 3rd-party applications. The hardware manufacturers will put up their drivers, and BIOS images too, for download and then you'll end up updating your machine.

As a habit, I always check for Windows updates when I start up my machines and keep an eye on them until they complete. The biggest mistake people make is to turn off their machines during the update and not pay attention to the process. During a BIOS update, the display turns black until the progress bar appears and at that point, it's too late when the machine has been turned off mid-stream.

If you happen to brick a Dell laptop, and live in the US, there's someone in Texas who will repair your machines. https://www.parts-people.com/

The owner of the company has a YouTube channel where he shows videos on how to perform your own repairs as well as himself performing board repairs including replacing BIOS chips or reprogramming them. He has a substantial inventory of boards and parts for Dell laptops.

Having a UPS is indeed important and always has been. I have used a UPS ever since they were made available for homes and small offices and many times they have saved my hardware from disaster. I replaced my last one a couple of years ago and so far the new one is working fine and all our machines and Xfinity router is connected to one. I can't stress the importance of them enough.

 

[johnwhelan]

To the title of this thread: This has been a delivery method for over a decade. Seems like this was an impulse post with no real new information.

Updates to BIOS over windows update are not typical, especially if you don't tend to use certain mfrs products, but UEFI encapsulation can usually be disabled in your mainboard's bios if you do have it. This will prevent windows update from doing anything there.

or just have a UPS. I have used one for 15 years and never regret it. I can get 30-45 minutes run time at low CPU use. If the power ever goes out while working or gaming there is plenty of time to wrap things up and safely store data.

I run Dell computers and normally use supportassist to update the bios, however recently I noticed that a BIOS update had been included in a Microsoft update. You could be correct that Microsoft have been doing this for sometime and I and others weren't aware of it but there seems to be a certain amount of discussion floating around the web at the moment on the subject so it's not untimely.

Cheerio John

 

[OddRails]

I normally disable OneDrive. I have no desire for MS to be putting my files on a cloud.

After a recent update, I learned belatedly that MS had relocated my desktop folder and other folders to OneDrive. I actually deleted them thinking they were duplicates and backups. Oops. Suddenly the folders were no longer on my computer or anywhere else. Windows let me undo my deleted folders. But now Windows has mapped those folders to the cloud, an outcome i was deliberately trying to avoid.

Linux is looking much more attractive now!

 

[Stonegate]

I normally disable OneDrive. I have no desire for MS to be putting my files on a cloud.

After a recent update, I learned belatedly that MS had relocated my desktop folder and other folders to OneDrive. I actually deleted them thinking they were duplicates and backups. Oops. Suddenly the folders were no longer on my computer or anywhere else. Windows let me undo my deleted folders. But now Windows has mapped those folders to the cloud, an outcome i was deliberately trying to avoid.

Linux is looking much more attractive now!

I recently took the plunge on one of my machines and updated to Windows 11. As part of the process I disabled bitlocker, and removed OneDrive, CoPilot and Recall (just in case). I also severely limited what Edge can and cannot do (I never use it but left it in case some obscure software decides it can't operate without it).

So far, everything seems to be working OK apart from getting used to the changed UI and Microsoft's stupid decision to hide or making difficult to find the most useful apps.

Mike