Topic: Windows Automatic Updates

[mistybear]

For some strange reason my Windows Automatic Updates, was turned on, and it has downloaded and installed (I think) updates, and is now asking for me to restart my computer.
How do I find out what these updates are, and how do I delete them if I don't want them. 

And why does it just turn the automatic updates on?

Michael says that his firewall turns on sometimes, for no apparent reason, as well. (weird) 

[sam]

hmm, I'm not sure - I would have them turned off by default or set to ask you to install them (it would then tell you about this). You can probably change this in the control panel.

I'm not sure you can stop this procedure but once installed (i.e. after you have rebotted) any hot fixes will be able to be seen in the add/remove software panel

[mistybear]

I have had them set to notify and not to download, but it some how it reset it self to auto, as I said about Michael's windows firewall, does the same thing.

[Simon]

Windows Firewall will often activate itself if Security Center finds no other firewall present, or if the resident firewall has been switched off, but Security Center itself can be a bit flaky, as on one or two occasions, it hasn't seen my security suite, but picks it up after a reboot.

Not sure about Windows Updates, but I would have thought once set to 'Notify', that wouldn't change by itself.  One way to immediately remove a Windows Update, might be to do a System Restore, but personally, I think that the general concern over WUs is a little unwarranted, as they are mainly security fixes which are needed for your computer, and usually install without any problems.

[mistybear]

I ran Belarc and had a look at what was install, security fixes as you said Simon, which is fine but I do like to select what I want installed.

Michael doesn't have a firewall at all, but he says that he's fully protected, he has it set up so no one can access it. Problem is we can't network and transfer files any more.

This morning I wanted to check my emails, but I couldn't connect to the internet. I hadn't changed anything from the night before, repair failed, I unplugged the modem and re plugged it and tried again, nothing.
One thing I noticed on the little monitor icons, was a padlock, I don't know what that means but I wondered if I had been locked out by Michael's computer. I turned his computer on and guess what, I had my connection back. Michael thinks it may be his new MB, as he usually uses his network card but last night he switched to the network card on the MB, sounds BS to me, but what do I know. 

[Simon]

I have found networking to be fickle and unforgiving, to say the least, Kate.  I have only started using it fairly recently, but it always seems to me that the slightest thing can stop it from working.  I wonder if the 'blocked' machine just needs the connection to be set up again? 

[Sandra]

I think in XP the updates are listed in Add/Remove programs, they will be at the end of of the list as HOTFIXES and will usually have a number and KB for each one. You can delete them from there.

Not sure what Michaels has done or thinks hes done to secure his pc without a firewall MB.
If you have a router then you can make your network more secure than by using a modem as they usually have NATS and other security features but if you are still using the one USB and one etherent port modem that you had some time ago then I dont think that has those options 

[mistybear]

We are using a router from the modem, that way I can also use an ethernet connection.

[Sandra]

That sounds more like a switch, that doesnt have the same protection, its mereley a distribution point.

[mistybear]

It is a proper router, I would get the details from it, but I'm frightened to touch it as the cord from the adapter is broken and Michael has held in place with a piece of wax.

He has just explained that he had his ethernet cable connected to his MB last night, instead of his network card, that he normally uses.