Windows 7 Updating REGARDLESS of Settings

[zapp22]

Friends we have a desktop with an otherwise clean, well-functioning Windows 7 installation, having one peculiar problem I've only seen a few posts on, at Microsoft's forums [left unresolved].
Regardless of the Settings in Win Update, the system automatically downloads and attempts installation of whatever is being pushed out. Again - I have tried a couple of different settings to NOT INSTALL until I manually permit, but it matters not. We're trying to prevent the repetitive FAILED install of one commonly-failing item: the SMBUS driver on a AMD-based HP Pavilion platform. Unless I get a "live" list of updates waiting to be installed, I cannot invoke the marking of that one errant update as "never install". [Frankly, it should be in the Optional list anyway, not in the "Important" list.]

How do I stop wupdate from installing everything in the "Important" list auto?

EDIT: This: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us...is-first/28147a5f-b0b0-480b-bed9-834a2da7a375
is correct in stating "Microsoft does not know what the best hardware drivers are for your system and will often send driver updates that will cause your system to malfunction or not work at all". But they will stick SOME hardware drivers in the "Important List" randomly anyway [no idea how/why ]

 

[torchwood]

Hi Zapp22,

have you actually turned OFF the driver update part of W7.(see screenshot)

Another point, is this comp connected to a network server, which is controlling the downloads.

Roy