Updates trying to install over and over again (KB2760411, KB2760588, and KB2760583)

My list of looping updates for XP SP3 with Office 2003 and the various Office Readers:

KB2760411

KB2760583

KB2760588

KB2760590

KB2810048

For the moment I have removed all the updates using "Add/Remove Programs" and hidden the updates using the Windows Update interface.

On my computer KB2760411 had to be removed from THREE different places in "Add/Remove Programs" (Office Suite and two Readers). Never had to do that before.

... Select "Custom Install" ...

'Fraid to say, this is merely the workaround, not the solution.  If you essentially "hide" the update you will always be told that you have done so - worse, at some point in the past I found that the hiding of "security" updates (as opposed to "requested" updates) could adversely affect following updates.  You can get into the situation that following security updates start failing because earlier "prerequisite" updates were not installed: leading to rejected attempts to install the prerequisite because you have hidden it!   So it's ok as a workaround in the short term (and it is also what Microsoft are recommending at the moment), but in the long term we still all have to await Microsoft's patch that (hopefully) will sort out the problem.   I just hope that whatever that patch entails, it will automatically take into account that some people will have hidden the earlier updates and some will have not.  I could see that causing some knock-on headaches.  I also hope that Microsoft will recognise that they need a better mechanism (and a will) to let people know what is going on.  I imagine a huge number of less than tech-savvy people will simply turn automatic updates off.  Outcome? Well, we'll get a rise in successful virus attacks.

Again, see Microsoft's statement: http://news.softpedia.com/news/Microsoft-Offers-Statement-on-KB2760411-KB2760588-and-KB2760583-Updates-382294.shtml

We have the same problems.

Is there already a solution?

Afraid not.  Only Microsoft can fix this one.

OK, here's what worked for me:

1. Click on the Updates icon in systray to open up the Updater window.

2  Select "Custom Install" (note: I didn't write this down as I went, so that may not be the exact name, but it's the alternative to "Express Install.")

3. Uncheck all three updates and click "Next."
4. You should get a pop-up warning that nothing will be installed. At the bottom of the window is a check box with "Do not notify me of these updates again." Check the box and click "Next."

The Updater window closed and the Updates icon went away from the systray. I've rebooted the computer since then and the update icon hasn't come back after an hour. The last couple of days it's come back in a few minutes. I think I've found the solution.

Seems so simple, but I always just accept the "Express Install (Recommended)" and click on "Continue," so it took me a while to try the alternative.

I don't have Office 7 installed, and I don't have the Excel Viewer 7 installed and the damned updates have been installed at least a dozen times over three days so I don't think I'm leaving myself vulnerable here.

And they should pay. An airline company that causes you delays in your travel plans pays so why not MS.

Well, a more honest apology would be nice - not one that belittles the extent  (grovel grovel Dustin Childs!)  http://news.softpedia.com/news/Microsoft-Offers-Statement-on-KB2760411-KB2760588-and-KB2760583-Updates-382294.shtml

I suppose I should apologise too: I'm getting distinct feelings of "Schadenfreude" about this one :-)

Maybe someone aught to mention all this to the BBC?