A update caused windows update settings to reset?

Just posting as a warning to others (and to vent my annoyance a bit)

I always set up my Windows update settings to "check and notify but don't download and install unless I tell you to" to prevent HDD thrashing, performance downgrading at the worst possible times and annoying "oh, you need to restart" notifications.

All working fine... but yesterday I notice some random and annoying HDD thrashing, bit later on the windows update restart notification wants to restart the computer ... what ?

It turns out my update settings had been reset to "automatically download and install (recommended)" without my knowledge and express permission. I was not amused .

And no, nobody else but me has access to the computer, much less someone who knows from where the windows update settings can be modified. And I doubt any malware/virus would be interested in keeping my windows up to date automatically.

Don't know what exact update caused it, but I know I will disable all windows updates if this happens again.

hexaq said:

but I know I will disable all windows updates if this happens again.

Your'e over-reacting a bit, don't you think? I would hazard a guess and say your system isn't behaving any worse then it was before, and its more secure now

Regards,
Golden

Yes, maybe overreacting a bit

But on the other hand I like to be in full control of my system. When/if I disable updates I'll switch the update strategy to something like monthly or quarterly batch mode, i.e. run it, get updates, disable it one more, and never again suffer random acts of 'automatic benevolence'.

I'm not overly concerned with security. I have not run antivirus/antispyware/malware programs on my machines since a few years ago since I hate to take performance hits; and at the bi-annual full system security scans the system always comes out clean. Only security like stuff on my computer is windows firewall and Firefox with noscript extension, seems to work fine.