Re: Windows XP Updates installing automatically when option disabl

Anothernetworknewbie wrote:
I have set my Windows XP Update option to only download updates
once I have reviewed the updates.

I have used Windows XP for 2/3 years now and generally consider the
experience disastrous. I have not had so many problems running my
own PC (hanging, crashing etc.) since the mid 1980s. I also
consider some of the updates a violation of my privacy and could
cause big problems with other software on my PC (eg. Explorer 7 is
not compatible with eBay's Turbolister 2 which I use extensively in
the on-line selling part of my business).

However, I often find Windows XP Updates install themselves
automatically anyway (and automatically reboot my machine at
inconvenient times too). I found 12 updates automatically installed
themselves on one of my machines yesterday when I logged off,
without me having any opportunity to review the updates being
installed. I just noticed that the same would have happened on one
of my machines if I had not noticed the option to 'Turn off'
without installation. I re-rentered my machine to see if I could
review the Updates and found I could not.

How I stop this? I have definitely set my Update options to allow
me to review Updates before installation, but it seems to ignore
this at times.

Shenan Stanley wrote:
So - don't set it to automatically update at all.

If you want more control over what goes on your system (you did
*not* have to update to IE7 for example) then visit
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ periodically (at least the day
after the second Tuesday of each month) and scan for/install
whatever updates you wish. There is nothing stating you *have* to
setup updates to automatically notify you, download or install. You
can - in Windows XP - turn that off and be responsible for it
yourself.

What you have chosen is perhaps not the option for you. You are
allowing them to download and notify you... Just have it NOTIFY you
and NOT download/install. Then you have more control and still
have the option of having something else remind you to check for
updates.

Anothernetworknewbie wrote:
I thought the option that I have Windows XP set to IS to 'NOTIFY
and NOT download/install', but sometimes it just goes and downloads
anyway, even rebooting my machine to install when I have walked
away from the machine for 5 minutes after chosing the option 'Don't
install now' three or four times.

I know I didn't have to install E7. I did on one machine and
deinstalled it, then was careful to stop it being installed on my
other machines, but I understand it is going to be distributed via
automatic update in September, which is why I'm worried about it.

In any case shouldn't the option do what it 'says on the tin', ie.
give me the chance to review updates before installing. Installing
updates on my machine without me giving permission must surely be
violating some sort of law isn't it?

First off - no law is being broken. In accordance to the agreement you
*agree* to by continued use - you do not OWN the OS anyway. Microsoft is
allowing you to utilize it and they can take that away anytime they please.
(That's heavily paraphrased. hah) You can read more of the EULA (End-User
Licensing Agreement) by Start button --> RUN -->
%systemroot%\system32\eula.txt --> OK.

Secondly - what you said in your last post contradicts what you explained
happens... You have to recheck your settings and let me know which you
have...

Right-Click on "My Computer" and select "Properties". In the "Properties"
window, choose "Automatic Updates". You can have it set to 'Download
updates for me, but let me choose when to install them' (that setting will
get you that 'Install updates and Shutdown' option you mentioned...) or
'Notify me but don't automatically download or install them'. Either way
will get you 'notified' and both give you the ability to review the
updates - but you are more likely to 'accidentally' install with the first -
where it downloads them for you... Because it will show the shutdown option
if nothing else and many people will just click 'ok' before they notice the
option is no longer just "Shutdown"...

My suggestion remains the same if you want full control... I see no reason
to automate the process if you think you can take care of it yourself.
"Turn off Automatic Updates" and then just check
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ periodically.

I manage many thousands of machines - many with WSUS - some without. I have
never seen it 'just install and reboot' unless the settings were set to
automatically install. Was this machine ever part of a domain and possibly
connected to a SUS/WSUS server?

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html


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