Windows 7: Too much automation

Currently, I have 2 issues with Windows 7.



1. When I inserted a memory card into the built-in card reader, something called "Save Image Wizard" opens. The only Save Image Wizard I need is ME. How do I stop it from opening?

2. After closing the above window, the image processing program that came with my camera was on the screen and all the images from the card were in it.
I only want that to open when I want it to open. How can I fix that?

I have never heard of save image wizard. It sounds like both problems have the same cause. Your image processing software. Go to control panel>administrative tools>system configuration>Start up tab. In the start up tab is programs that run when you first login. Look for what ever software is popping up and make sure it is unchecked. Hit OK. You will then have to restart for this to take effect. You don't have to restart immediately, but the program will remain running until you do.

EDIT: if you use category view in control panel, admin tools is in the system and security category.

Thanks. I found that program and turned it off. Then I went to Admin. Tools/Syst. Config./Services.
There is a huge list of "things". I found three that I don't think I need or want.
1. Windows Backup (I want to decide if and when).
2. Windows Image Acquisition. ( this might be that "Save Image Wizard", but I don't know).
3. Windows Update. (I don't want to do any Windows Updates.)

Should I just uncheck those three?
How do I determine which things should be running?

That would be a BIG mistake. Most updates are security updates. I don't think you want to miss those.

Windows backup is what does restore points. Some people don't use if they have very limited disc space, but there are thousands of problems that a system restore can fix. Windows update should be set to ask you before doing anything. A lot of the security updates can be really helpful, but once again it up to you. I'm not sure about the image acquisition. Most services need to be left alone. The only ones I mess with are remote registry, which should be disabled to prevent someone from hacking your registry, and superfetch because it can slow your computer down. If you don't use the search function much (more than twice a week), you can also turn off indexing.

Ah, that brings up something I asked about some time ago and never got a good answer.
Around 09:15 I set a new Restore Point 7/5/2010 5:00AM.
It did its thing and here's the resulting message.

"System Restore completed successfully. The system has been restored to 7/9/2010 9:11:16 AM. Your documents have not been affected."

How can this happen?

I;m not really sure what your discribing. Did you do a system restore or did you set a restore point?

It was a while ago, but as I recall, I set the restore point then I clicked "Restore".
That resulted in this message. It seemed to "restore" to 7/9/2010 9:11"16 instead of 7/5/2010 5AM.

"System Restore completed successfully. The system has been restored to 7/9/2010 9:11:16 AM. Your documents have not been affected."

It looks like you did not pick the 7/5 restore point but let the system pick the latest one (which is default). There are not only restore points that you set, but the system sets them on different occasions too (e.g. if you install or uninstall a program or update, at certain time intervals, etc). If you want to look at the restore points you have, open an elevated Command prompt (run as administrator) and type (or paste) vssadmin list shadows and hit Enter.

I agree. Either it did the default action or you accidently clicked the wrong one. I'm guessing it did the default action, as it is really easy to have it do the default even though you think you picked a particular date.