Windows update always turns itself on

Entheogenic · 29 Jul 2016

I am puzzled by windows update on my Windows 7 machine. I turned it off in control panel -> windows update settings and set "Important updates" to "never check for updates (not recommended)". I also unchecked everything below that ("give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates" and "Allow all users to install updates on this computer").

Several days ago this didn't do the trick and windows update turned itself on and installed a ton of updates while I was away from computer. Then I reinstalled windows 7 and turned this all off again, but also switched "windows update" in services.msc (start menu -> run -> services -> stop windows update and disable it)..

I was shocked to find today that everything regarding windows update has been turned on again! Both in control panel and in services (windows update is not disabled anymore). I switched it back to off, but if it tends to turn itself on by its own volition, something is really not right there.

Additionally, I discovered that in "Power options" my monitor has been set to turn off after 15 minutes although I put there "never turn off". Also, currently "high performance" is selected and not as I set "balanced (recommended).

It really looks as if someone messed with my computer, which should be impossible since only I have physical access to it. Is it possible to change these settings online (by e.g. microsoft)?

How do I turn off windows update permanently? How can I stop these changes to my settings?

torchwood · 29 Jul 2016

Hi Entheo,
what version of W7?,
In Pro and Ultimate versions, GPO settings can over-ride custom settings
I dont think anyone has control of your system, those changes are not detrimental to your system.

Go into system and turn off Remote Access
Do you have any Tune-up facility installed, some AV's include them (check the default settings if so).

Roy

Entheogenic · 29 Jul 2016

Hi Torchwood,

Thanks for the answer. My windows 7 is the Ultimate edition, 64 bit, with Service Pack 1 installed.

I see that when I go to System -> Remote Settings and on the "remote" tab, under Remote Assistance the "Allow Remote Assistance connections to this computer" was ticked (switched on). Also, under "Advanced" I saw that under "Remote Control" "Allow this computer to be controlled remotely" was also ticked. I have switched off both of these things (Allow Remote Assistance is now unticked).

However, below under "Remote Desktop" I see that "Don't allow connections to this computer" was checked. Does that mean that my computer was capable or incapable of being remotely controlled?

Do you think that these settings under System -> Remote Settings could explain the fact that both in the control panel and in services.msc windows update was switched on without even asking me anything? Do you think that some human did that remotely, or was it more likely done through some script that runs automatically on Microsoft's servers?

As for tune-up software, I don't have any. I only have Webroot Secure Anywhere installed. Not sure if that antivirus software has something that can interfere with windows update settings... according to their website (support forum) they seem to claim it doesn't affect win update in any way.

Thanks again for the clarification of this matter... it's certainly much better if this was done remotely by someone who doesn't want to harm my PC than if someone had physical access to my computer.