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Windows Update struggling to remain available
April 2004
Microsoft's Windows Update web site has been
experiencing slow response times in the wake of
yesterday's release of critical security updates.
A browser request through Internet Explorer
eventually raises the site after an extended wait,
and in some cases it is possible to successfully
download and install updates over a broadband
connection. Dynamically updating performance
charts for Windows Update are available here.
The service is struggling for availability at a
crucial moment of need for Windows users.
Microsoft yesterday released four security
updates, including three critical patches that
Microsoft urged customers to install immediately.
They include a patch for an SSL vulnerability that
leaves Windows 2000 and NT4 SSL sites open to
remote compromise. The current sluggish
performance of Windows Update is a particular
challenge for Windows users on dial-up Internet
connections, as the Windows XP download is 3
megabytes.
"After the release of yesterday's security
updates, the number of requests to Windows Update
was double the usual volume," said a Microsoft
spokesperson. "The slowdowns didn't last very
long. We've added some system resources to support
Windows Update, and are not seeing much trouble
anymore."
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