Microsoft has admitted that its OneCare Consumer Security software modifies Windows' overall patch options during installation, but claims that the software does warn people that their settings have been changed. Microsoft has been under growing pressure from IT system administrators who are furious that it is crashing their networks with software that they have not even tested yet.

According to the OneCare site, Microsoft admits that any settings will be lost when when a user installs Windows Live OneCare. But it claims that the setup informs the user that by opting to proceed their computer settings will be changed to automatically download and install important updates from Microsoft Update.

This might explain why during the last two weeks there have been reports all over the Internet about Windows patches being installed and systems rebooting without permission. Microsoft said that this action was by design and that it is not unique to the latest version of OneCare. Rather, Microsoft claims that OneCare helps ensure that a user's computer continues to receive important updates as soon as possible after the updates are released.

The OneCare posting has a screenshot of the first installation dialogue, which indicates that by using OneCare the user agrees to let Microsoft make changes to their system, such as enabling features that keep their system up to date and help ensure safer Internet browsing. However, the disclaimer fails to mention that previous user settings will be changed, contrary to the statement in the OneCare blog post, and it also does not mention the Microsoft Update patch service.

More here.