Unauthorized 'Windows Self-Healing Tool' app could cause more harm than good

[Batu69]

As the Windows 10 Anniversary Update rolls out to PCs around the world, many are bound not only to get new features the update packs, but also run into a few problems, like the much-talked about freezing problem, upon installation. With this in consideration, a tool called 'Windows Self-Healing Tool' has been recently circulating on several technology news websites, posing itself as a fix to any problems associated with Windows 10. However, it seems that the software might not be legitimate after all.

 

According to Ed Bott of ZDNet, the tool does not do anything to solve problems in the Windows 10 Anniversary Update, and is an unauthorized software developed within Microsoft. In his investigation, he initially found out through the file's properties that the program had been developed by 'Microsoft Mobile Oy' in the year 2015. Bott points out that this Microsoft subsidiary has been almost disbanded already, which raises the first issue with the tool.

 

 

Also, while he found out that program is indeed being distributed on Microsoft's servers, Bott further states that it does not have anything to do with the recently launched Windows 10 Anniversary Update, and was apparently only built by a single tech, without any authorization from the Windows Support group.

 

Moreover, the 'self-healing' app reportedly only runs a number of Powershell commands, automating a set of tasks in resetting a Windows 10 device. Bott further noticed that the app looks a lot like the Device Recovery Tool used for Windows phones.

 

In a report by Pureinfotech, the program was suggested to Windows Insider 'MarkMazzetti' after he contacted the company over the widespread freezing issue on Windows 10 AU. Microsoft Support reportedly said that the software was created to resolve such an issue. Upon running the tool, he claims that the freezing has stopped. However, he now supposedly gets random flashes on his Surface Book's screen.

 

While no surefire fix for the freezing issues on the Windows 10 Anniversary Update has been discovered as of yet, we advise our readers to steer clear from using the app, and wait for further official announcements from Microsoft, in order to prevent PCs from running into more issues. Source: ZDNet, Pureinfotech.

 

Article source

[RejZoR]

I have SFC and DISM commands scheduled to run every night. I don't get it why Windows doesn't have this by default. It's critical to keep system in top shape at all times, it's how you avoid errors.

[SPECTRUM]

36 minutes ago, RejZoR said:

I have SFC and DISM commands scheduled to run every night. I don't get it why Windows doesn't have this by default. It's critical to keep system in top shape at all times, it's how you avoid errors.

 

Windows have it in a task, that also cleanup the system using cleanmrg and defrag the hdds automatically.

[pc71520]

And some claim that this tool is useful...

 

http://www.thewindowsclub.com/windows-software-repair-tool

 

 

[RejZoR]

5 hours ago, SPECTRUM said:

 

Windows have it in a task, that also cleanup the system using cleanmrg and defrag the hdds automatically.

 

By default? Are you sure? Checked all of them and couldn't find any related to SFC or DISM.

[Ballistic Gelatin]

So, after invoking this so-called tool, "...he now supposedly gets random flashes on his Surface Book's screen."

Perhaps Micro$soft's technician was mistakenly trying to fix menopause, instead. 

[straycat19]

One of the problems identified with freezing is if you have an SSD as your primary drive and use a second SSD/HDD for your data such as programs and documents.  When these systems updated then they would freeze.  The only fix for this is if you move your programs and documents back to the c drive.  Small SSDs are why most people did this.  Matter of fact I have 39 personal computers at home, both desktops and laptops, and every single one of them has an SSD and an HDD regardless of the size of the SSD.  I always pull the DVD out of the laptop and use an adapter to add a 2 TB HDD that I store documents and programs on and if the original drive is not an SSD I change it for one.  So I am basking in my genius that I didn't fall for the free Windows 10 and thus would have had 39 doorstops.

[Holmes]

Ignoring the troll in this thread there are three articles discussing this tool two are saying it can hurt your system dont use it one is saying and introducing this tool.  This tool does what windows all-in-one repair does and I recommend you use windows all in one repair made by shane of www.tweaking.com dont use this one a tech at microsoft made this supposedly and its not beta it technically alpha (for those that dont know what alpha means if its alpha that means its not been tested internally by microsoft and that means its not beta and ready to be tested by consumers).  Dont use this tool if you wish to anyway use this tool at your own risk.

[PrEzi]

8 hours ago, Holmes said:

Ignoring the troll in this thread there are three articles discussing this tool two are saying it can hurt your system dont use it one is saying and introducing this tool.  This tool does what windows all-in-one repair does and I recommend you use windows all in one repair made by shane of www.tweaking.com dont use this one a tech at microsoft made this supposedly and its not beta it technically alpha (for those that dont know what alpha means if its alpha that means its not been tested internally by microsoft and that means its not beta and ready to be tested by consumers).  Dont use this tool if you wish to anyway use this tool at your own risk.

You forgot to add that the whole freakin' OS is not beta and technically an alpha.

Which other OS have (to such extend) required repair-tools after _normal_ windows updates ? I can remember one or two cases where an update broke the system --- was enough to roll back to restore point or to deinstall the update from the shell.

[pc71520]

Another Review of the respective "tool" by Martin Brinkmann

[SPECTRUM]

On ‎20‎-‎08‎-‎2016 at 2:12 PM, RejZoR said:

 

By default? Are you sure? Checked all of them and couldn't find any related to SFC or DISM.

 

it's called maintenance or smt like that.