Solved Stop Automatic Updates

[kmorrow721]

I have set Windows updates to "download but let me decide to install". Even so I frequently try to shut down my laptop and get a message that updates are being installed and Do Not Turn Off or Unplug" the computer. I often must shut down quickly because I must borad a plane or the order has been given to turn off all elctronics. Why does this keep happening when I have set it the way I did?

 

[Brink]

Hello kmorrow, and welcome to Seven Forums.

It sounds like you have the wrong option selected. Double check to make sure that you have the one below selected so that it will not be the "download and have them ready to install if you decide to instead" option instead.



Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[marsmimar]

Required Updates
If you turn on the Update Services, in order for them to properly function some software components on your system that make up or are directly related to the Update Services will need to be updated from time to time. These updates must be performed before the service can check for, download, or install other updates. These required updates fix errors, provide ongoing improvements, and maintain compatibility with the Microsoft servers that support the service. If the Update Services are turned off, you will not receive these updates.

Update Services are "turned on" if you choose one of the following settings: (i) install updates automatically, (ii) download updates automatically and choose whether to install them, or (iii) receive notifications about updates and choose whether to download and install them. Windows Update service is "turned on" and set to "install updates automatically" when you choose the recommended option during Windows Out Of Box Experience (OOBE) setup.

If you turn on the Update Services, regardless of which "turned on" setting you have chosen, required updates to some components of the service will be downloaded and installed automatically without further notice to you. If you would prefer not to receive required updates, turn off the Update Services.

Source: Microsoft Windows Update

Starting in 2007, Microsoft used what many have called "stealth updates". Even if a user selected "Download updates but let me choose whether to install them" or "Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them", updates would still be installed without any other user input. If memory serves me correctly, Microsoft did this to facilitate updating Windows Update. Users found out that this practice would interfere with automatic backups, etc because computers would re-boot in the middle of a task without any warnings. If this is still the case, and I believe it is, then the only safe option for Updates is to select "Never check for updates (not recommended)". The user would then have to remember to manually check for updates on a regular basis.

 

[Brink]

Ah, thank you Lee.

 

[bigseb]

... then the only safe option for Updates is to select "Never check for updates (not recommended)". The user would then have to remember to manually check for updates on a regular basis.

Isn't a problem is it? I never update anything, only install service packs when they come along and it never hindered my PC experience...

 

[marsmimar]

Isn't a problem is it? I never update anything, only install service packs when they come along and it never hindered my PC experience...

I don't find it a problem to turn Windows Updates off, either. But I still do a manual check a few times a month in case Microsoft issues any Critical or Important updates, patches, etc. These updates usually identify security risks that could compromise a computer no matter how careful a user might be. Since it's usually a year or more between service packs, many folks think that's too long to wait before protecting their machines. But I'm also a firm believer in letting people do whatever works for them.

 

[bigseb]

Isn't a problem is it? I never update anything, only install service packs when they come along and it never hindered my PC experience...

I don't find it a problem to turn Windows Updates off, either. But I still do a manual check a few times a month in case Microsoft issues any Critical or Important updates, patches, etc. These updates usually identify security risks that could compromise a computer no matter how careful a user might be. Since it's usually a year or more between service packs, many folks think that's too long to wait before protecting their machines. But I'm also a firm believer in letting people do whatever works for them.

Absolutely agree. I never bothered much with updating regularly but obviously every day that goes by is an experience. Perhaps I should start...

 

[Corazon]

I'm surprised...my Windows Update is set to "notify me before downloading or installing updates," and I've never had a "drive-by update" sprung on me yet.

Maybe using Microsoft Update instead of just Windows Update has something to do with it.

 

[Monsoon]

Required Updates
If you turn on the Update Services, in order for them to properly function some software components on your system that make up or are directly related to the Update Services will need to be updated from time to time. These updates must be performed before the service can check for, download, or install other updates. These required updates fix errors, provide ongoing improvements, and maintain compatibility with the Microsoft servers that support the service. If the Update Services are turned off, you will not receive these updates.

Update Services are "turned on" if you choose one of the following settings: (i) install updates automatically, (ii) download updates automatically and choose whether to install them, or (iii) receive notifications about updates and choose whether to download and install them. Windows Update service is "turned on" and set to "install updates automatically" when you choose the recommended option during Windows Out Of Box Experience (OOBE) setup.

If you turn on the Update Services, regardless of which "turned on" setting you have chosen, required updates to some components of the service will be downloaded and installed automatically without further notice to you. If you would prefer not to receive required updates, turn off the Update Services.

Source: Microsoft Windows Update

Starting in 2007, Microsoft used what many have called "stealth updates". Even if a user selected "Download updates but let me choose whether to install them" or "Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them", updates would still be installed without any other user input. If memory serves me correctly, Microsoft did this to facilitate updating Windows Update. Users found out that this practice would interfere with automatic backups, etc because computers would re-boot in the middle of a task without any warnings. If this is still the case, and I believe it is, then the only safe option for Updates is to select "Never check for updates (not recommended)". The user would then have to remember to manually check for updates on a regular basis.

That's one of those things that's always bugged the hell out of me, and it's nice to finally see a reason for it.
I was all set to make my own thread on this, so i'm glad I looked around first.

 

[Monsoon]

I'm surprised...my Windows Update is set to "notify me before downloading or installing updates," and I've never had a "drive-by update" sprung on me yet.

Maybe using Microsoft Update instead of just Windows Update has something to do with it.

One of the things I can't stand about the updates, is that even when i've selected the boxes for which updates to apply, it won't give me a popup.
I have to open up the updates after they've downloaded, to make them install right then.
And the times i've forgotten to do that, it installs them when I boot down my machine, which smokes my shorts because i'm always in the middle of leaving then (my computer is only on when i'm home), and the last thing I want to do then is wait for the updates.
You would think a simple popup would be in order, but I guess that would have been too much work for the team that coded the updater.