Windows updates

Hello Folks:

I'm just over from the Vista Forums site and I have a geberal question.

Why does Microsoft even bother to offer a choice as to how one gets updates? I have had my settings at "notify me before downloading and installing" on XP, Vista, and now Windows 7 and, in every instance I may as well have written it in chalk on the sidewalk in front of my house. This setting will not stick and I don't mean just after a reboot or cold boot. This thing starts installing downloads (that I have not requested) every time I am in the middle of moving files I have downloaded from the net. Is there any way I can make certain my settings do not change. Right now I have it set to not look for any updates in the hope that this will stop it from loading automatically.

Best Regards
Powell Lucas

this is my 'personal' solution...whenever I've installed the OS on my builds--the first thing I turn off is UAC and the second is Automatic Updates

I also run UAC off, although that is not applicable to this issue. I have my Windows Update settings to "Check for updates, but let me chose to download and install them". Also, I changed the WU service from Automatic (delayed start), to Manual, and I check for updates each night before shut down........... I wouldn't set up a machine like this that I don't own though.

With these settings, Windows will not be able to download or install any updates without direct input from you.

I run it to inform me when new updates are ready for downloading and installation and have done so for as long as I can remember. The problem has alwaqys been that Windows changes it all the time. Every time I do a reboot or cold boot I have to check to make certain it has been changed to auto install. About half the time it has. Even after reinstalling Windows 7 today it has already caught me once and automatically installed updates.