Configuring Windows Automatic Update to use manual installations

Is it Monday again already? I don’t recommend starting the work day with finding out the stupid Windows machine on your desktop has rebooted itself because of automatic updates.

It wouldn’t be as bad if my VM Ware Linux installation automatically saved my session on a reboot. But instead it requires upwards of 30 minutes wasted re-tweaking the programs I use day-to-day.

The solution is simple, turn off the auto-install option for Windows Automatic Updates. But who thinks of reconfiguring that option until experiencing data loss? I’m not unreasonable in my expectation that my computer should never reboot itself without my permission.

I understand the reason why it’s configured like that by default. If Windows Automatic Updates didn’t automatically install and reboot by default then 80% of the Windows machines out there would never have updates installed. It doesn’t mean I have to like it.

If you leave your computer on all the time with open applications in a custom setting, then you should change the default setting.

 

Here are the steps for configuring Windows Automatic Update to use manual installations.

 

• Find Control Panel in the Start Menu

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• Find Windows Automatic Updates in the Control Panel

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• Choose the manual install option from the Windows Automatic Updates control

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Related Links (Outgoing)

• The Register – Invoice for Bill Gates after Windows Update loses 1200 pounds worth of work

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More Stupid Windows Features

• Configuring Windows Automatic Update to use manual installations and stop rebooting the friggin’ computer
• Bill and Steve’s Bogus Advantage – Turning off Microsoft Genuine Advantage legally
• The Exorcist Redmond – Monitor Display Turns Sideways or Upside Down
• FilterKeys Must Die – Disabling this annoying application