Windows Update Agent 7.6.7600.320

Defender will update in the background as well as the update agent.  These a/v file updates are designed to install in the background (as do other a/v updates that is normal for a/v updates)  None of these however will kick a reboot.  Can you post your windowsupdate.log file on a onedrive/skydrive as I can check to see what exactly did kick a reboot - as I will state that it wasn't the windows update agent nor was it the def file that would make a system reboot.

I have Windows Update turned off by default. I always create an Image Backup before installing Windows Updates, Software Updates, installing or un-installing software, Etc.!

I checked Windows Update the other day and the update to the WU engine is not listed as being available or installed at this time, same with my other computer and a friend's computer.

It would appear this is not going to an overnight thing for everybody as there are some reports of this version of the WU engine being installed as early as June of this year.

J W Stuart: http://www.pagestart.com

Defender will update in the background as well as the update agent.  These a/v file updates are designed to install in the background (as do other a/v updates that is normal for a/v updates)  None of these however will kick a reboot.  Can you post your windowsupdate.log file on a onedrive/skydrive as I can check to see what exactly did kick a reboot - as I will state that it wasn't the windows update agent nor was it the def file that would make a system reboot.

Here's the relevant portion of it: 

2014-08-02    16:02:04:883     836    518    Shutdwn    user declined update at shutdown

2014-08-02    16:02:04:883     836    518    AU    Successfully wrote event for AU health state:0

2014-08-02    16:02:04:883     836    518    AU    AU initiates service shutdown

2014-08-02    16:02:04:883     836    518    AU    ###########  AU: Uninitializing Automatic Updates  ###########

2014-08-02    16:02:04:898     836    518    Setup    Performing pre-shutdown installation of agent

2014-08-02    16:02:04:898     836    518    Report    CWERReporter finishing event handling. (00000000)

2014-08-02    16:02:04:898     836    518    Setup    Installing setup package "WUClient-SelfUpdate-Aux-TopLevel~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~7.6.7600.320"

2014-08-02    16:02:12:417     836    518    Setup    Install of setup package "WUClient-SelfUpdate-Aux-TopLevel~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~7.6.7600.320" succeeded and requires reboot

2014-08-02    16:02:12:527     836    518    Service    *********

2014-08-02    16:02:12:527     836    518    Service    **  END  **  Service: Service exit [Exit code = 0x240001]

2014-08-02    16:02:12:527     836    518    Service    *************

2014-08-02    16:20:42:832     548    6b8    Misc    ===========  Logging initialized (build: 7.6.7600.256, tz: -0400)  ===========

2014-08-02    16:20:42:832     548    6b8    Misc      = Process: C:\Windows\system32\rstrui.exe

2014-08-02    16:20:42:832     548    6b8    Misc      = Module: C:\Windows\system32\wuapi.dll

2014-08-02    16:20:42:832     548    6b8    COMAPI    FATAL: Unable to connect to the service (hr=8007043C)

2014-08-02    16:20:42:832     548    6b8    COMAPI    WARNING: Unable to establish connection to the service. (hr=8007043C)

2014-08-02    19:53:44:845     900    19bc    Misc    ===========  Logging initialized (build: 7.6.7600.320, tz: -0400)  ===========

That 3hr gap in the timing is where I freaked out thinking I had a virus.  It did indeed reboot itself.  Shutting down the window I was actively typing in.  I have no idea what that "user declined update at shutdown" is.....

When I contacted MS tech support I was basically told there was nothing wrong.  Which, sorry, there IS something wrong.  Even if this is exactly how MS programmed these software/updates to behave the reaction of people on here shows how wrong it is.  How many more people are freaking out thinking they've picked up a virus cause MS couldn't be bothered to tell people that an update was being forced through??  How many more have interrupted or forced stop on this update and others thinking it was a virus??

I will also add, I have seen no error messages about not being able to install updates, but according to that log there HAVE been attempts to download updates, which have failed.  Even though when I tell windows to check for updates it says that there are none.  Nor does it appear to have installed any on its own.

There is no stand-alone Windows Update Agent available to download. If you have automatic updating turned on, the latest version of the Windows Update Agent is downloaded and installed automatically on your computer.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/949104

Also: Information for network administrators about how to obtain the latest Windows Update Agent

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/946928

I could find no information what problems version 7.6.7600.320 fixes.

J W Stuart: http://www.pagestart.com

@JW

Why not just provide the seminal reason and basis for the Windows Update agent/serivce updating itself without user intervention.

Windows EULA

<qp>

 Consent for Internet-Based Services.

The software features described below and in the Windows 7 Privacy Statement

connect to Microsoft or service provider computer systems over the Internet.

Windows Update. To enable the proper functioning of the Windows Update service in the software (if you use it),updates or downloads to the Windows Update service will be required from time to time and downloaded and installed without further notice to you.

</qp>

i.e. by use of Windows on any pc the user has already agreed to allow Microsoft to download and install updates (without notification) for the Windows Update service.

I have Windows Update turned off by default...I checked Windows Update the other day and the update to the WU engine is not listed as being available or installed at this time

If Automatic Updates is turned off (i.e., set to the Never check for updates option), Windows Update Agent wouldn't be updated.

<QP>

The Windows Update client does not download or install infrastructure updates if the user has selected...“Never check for updates...”

</QP>

Source: http://blogs.technet.com/b/mu/archive/2008/07/03/upcoming-update-to-windows-update.aspx

Judging by related posts in these forums and by my own Win7 box's Update History, [1] it would appear that the Windows Update Client upgrade started being rolled out circa 04:00 UTC on Saturday, 02 August 2014.

It may take a week or more for the "infrastucture" update to be rolled out to a given computer.

PS: Please be sure to let us know what that MS rep has to say about all this in his follow-up email. Wouldn't mind if you Forwarded his email to me either.

<EDIT>

...there are some reports of this version of the WU engine being installed as early as June of this year.

KB2887535 (Update to Microsoft Update client) was released on 23 June 2014 and the corresponding Announcement (same date) doesn't mention a release date. That being said...

KB949104 (How to update the Windows Update Agent to the latest version) has displayed the "latest version of the Windows Update Agent for Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP is 7.6.7600.256" since 23 May 2014.

</EDIT>

===========================================================

[1] The Win7 computer is running & connected to the internet 24/7.