Microsoft says automated 'Fix it' is working
Microsoft says that rather than struggle to fix their own PC problems, computer owners have proved themselves more than willing to just click a "Fix it" button and let the computer take care of itself.
Since about January, Microsoft has been adding the automated fixes for an array of PC problems for which there is a single known solution. In the past six months, it has added more than 300 "Fix its" to automate the steps needed to solve problems, change settings, and even protect against viruses.
Recently, Microsoft used the approach to help people defend against a serious unpatched flaw.
"If we know what those 15 steps are, why shouldn't we just script it," Lori Brownell, Microsoft's general manager of product quality and online support, said in a February interview.
The effort is working, Microsoft said this week, noting that more than 7 million people have used the automated fixes and in 95 percent of cases, the "Fix it" button completely solved the issue.
Microsoft said the fixes are now available in 23 languages and have shown up in the company's advertising. There's even a "Fix it" page on Facebook and a feed on Twitter.
During her years at CNET News, Ina Fried has changed beats several times, changed genders once, and covered both of the Pirates of Silicon Valley. These days, most of her attention is focused on Microsoft. E-mail Ina. 
And since when has a 5 yr old referred to IE as IE. Scripted or what?
And I own a small PC repair company and I think this is wonderful. I'll be able to focus on actual issues and have people stop calling for things like "The printer I want to print to isn't set as my default printer." If people would learn how to use Bing and fix it, I would have much fewer headaches.
I hope you're getting my sarcasm.
The real problem is conditioning people to click the "Fix it" button. We are now going to see an ever increasing "Fix it" buttons popping up on websites.
Think about this: Bad guys sets up website to look like crap. "Does this web page look broken? Fix it here!" etc...
You wanna spend your time fixing your computer manually?
Quote from the article. So I would say a good amount less than 5% of users had their machine destroyed.
Microsoft knows their own registry. And unlike update patches, which add code to the kernel, these "fix its" are basically just scripts. I don't see these fixes creating more problems than they solve. And from the looks of things, I'd be inclined to say I'm right.
But what do people say??
Of course MS will say it is working.
I hope MS gives you a list of problems to "fix" before it goes and does it because I wouldn't want an IE shortcut everytime I press the button.
By contrast, put all that crap on a linux box or OSX and it drives the computer to a halt. But a mainstream OS needs to be able to run all that crap.
By contrast, put all that crap on a linux box or OSX and it drives the computer to a halt.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Nice way to flush your credibility down the drain.
- by maniopas October 1, 2009 8:44 AM PDT
- Well, I think this is really a breakthrough.
- Like this Reply to this comment
-
(33 Comments)It is just like programs that can solve certain categories of mathematical problems; most do not trust them because they are not human, but they do their work all right and much faster.
I am only concerned about security issues if such things started appearing in non-safe or non-reliable websites. Should I use them then? But I positively believe that I am overreacting a bit, since bogus active scripts are easy to pick-up with any filter (anyway, I suppose that this is so, since I can a write basic protection program for them myself).
But I think that FIX IT buttons are just great.
PS: Really, some months back I would never imagine that I would say this, but MS is simply awesome lately!!!!!!!! They hove some very cool ideas!!!!!!!!