Microsoft and Samsung speak out
Samsung made headlines yesterday when it was discovered that its own software update utility that keeps drivers up to date and installs third-party programs (bloatware) was intentionally disabling Windows Update. If you thought that wouldn't sit well with Microsoft, you were right.
"Windows Update remains a critical component of our security commitment to our customers," a Microsoft spokesperson told VentureBeat. "We do not recommend disabling or modifying Windows Update in any way as this could expose a customer to increased security risks. We are in contact with Samsung to address this issue."
After the story broke, Samsung said it was investigating the issue, though the conclusion it came to isn't one that makes a whole lot of sense.
"It is not true that we are blocking a Windows 8.1 operating system update on our computers," Samsung said in a statement to numerous media outlets. "As part of our commitment to consumer satisfaction, we are providing our users with the option to choose if and when they want to update the Windows software on their products. We take product security very seriously and we encourage any Samsung customer with product questions or concerns to contact us directly."
Samsung's statement amounts to a half-assed denial, though what's quirky about the wording is that the issue never had anything to do with blocking a Windows 8.1 OS update. Instead, it was discovered that Samsung's utility was disabling Windows Update altogether, and if users tried to change the setting, it would revert back upon the next reboot.
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