Solved Stop Automatic Updates

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.

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marsmimar said:

... 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.

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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...

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bigseb said:

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...

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marsmimar said:

bigseb said:

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...

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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.

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marsmimar said:

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.

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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.

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Corazon said:

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.

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