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Last week, Microsoft released two updates that it described as "prerequisite updates needed to install Windows Vista SP1". Both of the updates - KB937287 and KB938371 - were marked as important and installed automatically on machines using Windows Update.

Now Microsoft says its withdrawing the first of those updates after receiving complaints from customers. "We've heard a few reports about problems customers may be experiencing as a result of KB937287, the servicing stack update I blogged about last week, and I wanted to provide a quick update for you," says Microsoft's Nick White on the Windows Team blog.

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"Immediately after receiving reports of this error, we made the decision to temporarily suspend automatic distribution of the update to avoid further customer impact while we investigate possible causes."

Readers on the Windows blog are complaining that the update has forced them to reformat their hard disk or leaves them in a continuous update loop. "It keep reappearing on my Windows Update after I installed it," reports one user. "I even rebooted my computer and did a full shut down, and the update is still there. After each update, Window Update says it was successfully installed. After installing it four times, I decided to hide it, so that it stop updating uselessly."

Others are reporting that Microsoft's suggested System Restore fix also fails to solve the problem. "After Microsoft told me that it is a good thing to use automatic update, I did that on a client's customer, which is now almost dead," reports another disgruntled customer.

Microsoft insists the problem "only affects a small number of customers in unique circumstances."

"We are working to identify possible solutions and will make the update available again shortly after we address the issue," adds White.

Whether the update problems will delay the arrival of Service Pack 1 - which is due to be made available to the public in mid March - is unclear.