Free Windows Security Update CD from Microsoft

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Originally posted by Nix
Hey, here's a thought maybe this thread should be a sticky since WU are kind of important.

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Wellll... the update downloads from the other sticky (which I'm about to take down, since it's been up for over a week) are verrry important, and they're not included. Can't glean from the site what updates are included. Secondly, I have a feeling there's a big money angle in this since they give you "free antivirus and firewall trial software" and they require all your contact information. Still, I admit it's nice to have this available for the folks with slow connections, or who have several computers to update.

We are not forgotton afer all :D

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Hello and thank you for contacting us at Microsoft.com.
We're sorry for the inconvenience this has caused you.
This mistake has been corrected. The UK now appears in the drop down.
The direct link to the UK offer is:
http://www.microsoft.com/uk/security...ct/update.mspx
Thank you for your time and understanding.
If you have other concern, please feel free to write us back.

Sincerely,

Jackie
Microsoft.com Customer Support

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Last free CD I can think of that they made available was for the 2K problem.Guess that means we`ll have to wait four years for the next update.

Nix: "Got mine" as in 'got my order in'. (Was having trouble accessing the site. ) Should have clarified, was running on little sleep. Sorry.

Agree with VerLux about the money angle. At the risk of sounding cynical, M$ is going to get something out of this. But it's a trade off I'll take. Can't get high speed in my area yet. I just did a format/reinstall of XP in January, if it weren't for the Update Rolllup bundle I had stored on CD, I'd still be downloading updates :D

I'm about to ramble, indulge me ;) The catch, perhaps: If they mail out a million CD's worldwide, and 2% of recipieints (20,000) subscribe to the AV or Firewall on the CD at $50/year, then they've generated $1,000,000 in revenues from the CD. Pocket change for M$, but not a bad way to recoup some of the cost of doing us this favor (No such thing as a free lunch, they're going to get that $ back somehow.) Another theory: A friend of mine feels with all the recent security leaks that M$ is going to start hurting, that more 'security savvy' customers are going to jump ship and switch to Linux. Maybe M$ spin doctors went to work and this is a way to spruce up their image. 'Microsoft is looking out for it's customers.' A dose of good P.R., if you will.

I dunno, whatever the reason, it's a CD worth having, IMHO.

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Another theory: A friend of mine feels with all the recent security leaks that M$ is going to start hurting, that more 'security savvy' customers are going to jump ship and switch to Linux.

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I think you naild the pin on the donkey. Linux is the current buzzword, a million bucks is pocket change for them, especially if it means keeping customers buying Windows instead of Linux.

Maybe there's a Budweiser ad on the CD. Here's an example of MS generating capital whereever they can.

"Microsoft Announces Ads for BSOD"
http://bbspot.com/News/2002/10/bsod_ads.html

weren't the motherboard manufacturers going to have add space on the bios chip at one time?

Adendum:
Here you go

Phoenix to sell Windows' launch ads
June 20, 1999, 5:00 PM PT

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Trying to find a new revenue source, Phoenix said it plans to modify future versions of its software to let Internet companies offer their services, without having to strike deals with Microsoft or PC manufacturers. For instance, an Internet-service provider such as America Online Inc. (NYSE:AOL) could theoretically put its sign up icon directly on the desktop of any PC that uses the Phoenix start-up software.

Phoenix officials said AOL and several other major Internet companies, including Yahoo! Inc. (Nasdaq:YHOO) , CNET Inc. (Nasdaq:CNWK) , and Excite@Home Corp. (Nasdaq:ATHM), have already agreed to use the new technology. In exchange, Phoenix will receive a share of the revenue generated by customers who sign up for Internet services using its technology.

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Originally posted by DuaneB
Maybe there's a Budweiser ad on the CD. Here's an example of MS generating capital whereever they can.

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I can just imagine it "Your system has crashed please reboot and relax with a cup of Tettly tea" or "Kill those bugs with Rentokill services"

Thanks!

I just received my CD :D

Good for you, Nix!

I did not get mine, yet!

Nix, how long did it take to get it? Sent for mine about two weeks ago. thanks.

Does anyone know if this includes sp2 and such for IE 5.5? At a 70mb download on dialup that's not happening around here anytime soon.:(

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Originally posted by jmtjet
Nix, how long did it take to get it? Sent for mine about two weeks ago. thanks.

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Order 19th Feb, received 8th March

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Originally posted by A31Chris
Does anyone know if this includes sp2 and such for IE 5.5? At a 70mb download on dialup that's not happening around here anytime soon.:(

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I don't know what it contains, but I can tell you I did 70mb downloads and more on dialup many times.

70mb @ 45,333b/s (my old connection speed) - less than 6 hrs, leave it overnight or while I was at work

The key is to download through a resumable medium, so if the connection is interrupted you don't lose the whole thing. Opera's transfer manager works well, as does Kazaa(lite).

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Originally posted by VerLux
I don't know what it contains, but I can tell you I did 70mb downloads and more on dialup many times.

70mb @ 45,333b/s (my old connection speed) - less than 6 hrs, leave it overnight or while I was at work

The key is to download through a resumable medium, so if the connection is interrupted you don't lose the whole thing. Opera's transfer manager works well, as does Kazaa(lite).

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Kazaa... I guess that shows the RIAA that kazaa has a legal use :D