No More Samsung Windows Updates
SAMSUNG uses Disable_Windowsupdate.exe, part of Samsung’s SW Update software, to prevent Windows updates. SW Update is an OEM updating software that update Samsung drivers and bloatware. The only difference between other OEM updaters is that Samsung’s disables Windows update.
SW Update after can be located in Windows’ Add/Remove (or Uninstall a program) list, which can be uninstalled like any other software on your system. If you uninstall it from Windows’ Add/Remove (or Uninstall a program) list, and restart, it doesn’t appear to uninstall properly. The SW Update Service is still active and running, as well as the existence of the \ProgramData\Samsung folder which would still inevitably contain “Disable_Windowsupdate.exe“.
Security researcher talked with Samsung technical representative and posted the scrap of chat:
You are now chatting with ‘Rep’. There will be a brief survey at the end of our chat to share feedback on my performance today.
Your Issue ID for this chat is *purged*.
Rep: Hi, thank you for reaching out to Samsung technical support. How may I assist you?
ringzero: Hi Rep, I have a question regarding your SW Update software.
Rep: Hi Ringzero, please go ahead with your question.
Rep: I’ll be glad to assist you.
ringzero: Thanks Rep! My question is, why does this software actively monitor the registry and deliberately cripple Windows Update by forcefully disabling it?
Rep: SW Update tool helps in automatically detecting the hardware on the laptop and installs the supporting drivers for them. I am afraid; this tool has directly no effect on the registry of your laptop or Windows Updates.
ringzero: Rep, I am afraid that you’re incorrect. SW Update drops an exe named “Disable_Windowsupdate.exe”
ringzero: When SW Update is installed, Windows Update is always disabled. If it’s enabled, or set to a setting of your liking, it’ll be re-disabled on reboot.
ringzero: If SW Update is uninstalled, Windows Update stays enabled persistently throughout reboots.
Rep: Thank you for waiting. I’ll be with you in just a moment.
ringzero: Sure.
Rep: When you enable Windows updates, it will install the Default Drivers for all the hardware no laptop which may or may not work. For example if there is USB 3.0 on laptop, the ports may not work with the installation of updates. So to prevent this, SW Update tool will prevent the Windows updates.
It is clear that Samsung’s decision to prevent Windows Update is a measure to ensure that Microsoft system updates don’t break Samsung’s bloatware. Unfortunately Lenovo’s Superfish incident didn’t teach a lesson to other manufacturers.
Source http://bsodanalysis.blogspot.com/2015/06/samsung-deliberately-disabling-windows.html