Raven, I don't worry about stuff like this but I hate the idea that can do this to us. For those of us who shut down their PCs at night, couldn't we disconnect from cable, then shut down the computer? Hey someone out there, invent us a quick release for that screw in cable. LOL

What's the problem, you should get updates from MS, always keep you're PC up to date in all applications, especially your OS..

I check updates every week or two, but I don't let MS do it automatically. I read in here and do what's recommended. I update security issues, but not everything it brings up. I don't want my software updated if it's working ok.

I wanted to add the above reply. I updated WMP and hated it, so went back to the one I had before. I have a new PC and it has the updated version and I still hate it. I have gone completely to ITunes to listen to music while I am on the PC.

Windows auto updates is a good thing for almost all home users... we the people.
Anyone concerned with thinking that is some kind of intrusion can simply adjust their settings or disable it completely easy enough.

Never had an issue with any update....

Mikie how do you disable it. Raven's post says they are doing even if you mark it never.

On my vista which may be different from yours.. in control panel, windows updates, on the left is a link to configure updates. Open and you will see.

If you are truely afraid of microsoft slipping something in... block them in your router or firewall.

according to the articles as stargazzer noted and READ these updates are getting pushed through to people who have set their update preference to NOT download or install, simply to notify, which is the problem. Some people do NOT want things done with out their knowledge and at a time that is convenient for them.

I never said there was any problem with any update simply to know that some are being pushed through even though you may have it set NOT to. which would be confusing if you were to find your pc in an update state or rebooting! hence the heads up.

And of course I KNOW we need to do our windows updates that was never of question.

IT is all in the actual ARTICLE.

Its so simple,, turn off auto updates.
Did they point that out in that article ?

I thought the article said they were getting around that also. I will double check. Mine is always turned off.

I have mine set to only get high priority updates, which I want, and I also leave my WMP at 10, as I do not like the updated ones.. so NP's here with auto updates..

again this situation disregards all the settings individuals have set up, it does not abide by the security center settings, there are 2 new follow up articles on this very topic again in today's Windows secrets and Microsoft is investigating why this is happening and if it is a bug in windows update. If you read the articles you will plainly see this is NOT a normal event but it is happening to many users and has caused some serious issues for several people as stated in these latest updates. MS has issued KB articles concerning this. This is why this was titled as a heads up, the behavior is not happening to everyone but to those it is happening to it is very disconcerting.

It's confirmed: Windows may update unexpectedly

Forced updates plague Windows users worldwide

In the articles mentioned there are workarounds provided by MS for those experiencing this problem.

This problem happens regardless of what you have set your choice for in the security center which is WHY it is being brought to people's attention. This behavior can cause situations which are undesirable, if you happen to be trying to close down your pc quickly due to bad weather for example and you can not do so due to this issue. Which is exactly what has happened to some mentioned in the article, cases for business networks can be very undesirable due to the need to test updates prior to updating.

Reading the actual articles to get an understanding of what the discussions are about in this case is essential.

Gosh, now I am sorry that I only have dial-up. I'm gonna miss out on covert installations of those highly needed updates for Xbox, Play Station and of course those reoccurring expired drivers.

Got it right this time. (First time wrong thread.) That's what happens when you have multiple windows opened and your not paying enough attention.

DA

I've tried with FF and then IE6 and am not able to open either of those links in RC's last post. Would someone else try and let me know if they're maybe just busy or its my computer? Thanks.

they dont work
confirmed

maybe try later

Thanks, Mikie.

the windows secrets site is not responding, they may be having site issues. I checked the links again to make sure they were the correct ones and they are but the entire site is not responding at all.

I am sure they will have it back up soon.

The sites are both posting an outage today and hope to have them back up later. Just glad it wasn't my computer.

Works now. What about Framwork 3? I notice it trying to install on my husbands old computer. That machine is so low on memory and space, I don't think this update is necessary. He has his machine to notify. Is this an important update?

Jane do you mean the .net update for version 3?
If he currently has .net version 1 he can just instead do any updates that come out for version 1 and not update to version 3 if he does not want to since he has the memory and space issues. He may find he has something on the pc that might need the .net 3 at some point and need that update but if nothing is asking for it he should be ok.
Some of the newer programs and stuff require version 3.
On my older pc I have stayed at version 1.

windows secrets back up this is from the email I got.

"Hi. I wanted to let you know that WindowsSecrets.com was
unavailable on July 3 and the early part of July 4. A
serious electrical fire shut down the Web hosting company
in Seattle that we and hundreds of other sites rely on.
Windows Secrets came back online at approximately 9:15 a.m.
Pacific Time July 4. Before then, if you tried to look up
an article or click a link in an old e-mail newsletter, it
would have failed. I apologize for the inconvenience.
Please try it again, and everything should work now."