Is there any reason NOT to use Windows XP automatic update?

[Pandaren]

I'm just wondering what would happen if automatic update gave Windows a bad patch and screwed everything up. This is probably unlikely but I am feeling a bit paranoid today.

 

[kingtas]

I haven't had a problem with auto update.

In an event you do have a problem, there is always the restore function, system file checker to restore Windows DLLs to originals, and Windows Repair - so I'm not worried about a total melt down.

 

[John]

If you're paranoid please do periodic backups! 🙂 I've seen Microsoft update (not Windows update) cause errors once the OS loads on a couple of different pc's. Once it is disabled and put back to Windows update everything is fine. You could always disable Automatic updates and do them on the second Tuesday of each month.

 

[Schadenfroh]

You could always disable Automatic updates and do them on the second Tuesday of each month.

This is what I do.

 

[lxskllr]

I just have Windows notify of updates. I then examine them, and patch if I decide to. That way if I run into problems I know exactly where to look.

 

[erickj92]

I dont like it when it re-boots my computer in the middle of the nite when im sleeping, and then when i wake up anytihng important that was opened is lost...

 

[jjones]

I don't like auto updates. I prefer to schedule it and choose which updates to run.

 

[you2]

I do what lxskllr does.

 

[QueBert]

I hate autoupdate, i forgot I had it on and it downloaded some update, then said "restart system so update can be installed" I selected no thinking that would be the end of it until I decided to reboot. I had something running in the background, and any ways 20 minutes later it asked again, when it asks it gives you 20 seconds before it restarts on it's own. It ended up restarting while I was asleep and I had to start my stuff over.

annoying as sh!t

 

[Evander]

Originally posted by: erickj92
I dont like it when it re-boots my computer in the middle of the nite when im sleeping, and then when i wake up anytihng important that was opened is lost...

You have two choices:
1)"eliminate auto update restart nag"

xp pro:Start / Run / gpedit.msc / Local Computer Policy / Computer Configuration / Administrative Templates / Windows Components / Windows Update / Re-prompt for restart with scheduled installations... 720 mins

xp home: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU and create a DWORD value named NoAutoRebootWithLoggedOnUsers. Then set it to 1

2)"kill nag"
Start -> Run -> cmd.exe -> sc stop wuauserv

 

[WildHorse]

Originally posted by: lxskllr
I just have Windows notify of updates. I then examine them, and patch if I decide to. That way if I run into problems I know exactly where to look.

Hey that sounds like a good idea.

I don't let it happen "silently" without my request. I amanually go to Windows Updates and click for it to scan & install.

I've never had trouble with windows updates except just lately, 2 of them failed to install. 1 is a SQL Server update * 1 is a Windows security update. I haven't spent time to figure out the problem yet.

 

[Rottie]

no auto windows update for me it always asks me before it will do anything.

 

[Rangoric]

I have it set to download them and only install them when I do a full shutdown.

The little icon shows up on the Shutdown button and in the systray, but no nag screens or anything.

 

[secretanchitman]

i just manually download them on patch tuesday.....if i need to.

auto windows update - the suxxors.

 

[ElDonAntonio]

Originally posted by: erickj92
I dont like it when it re-boots my computer in the middle of the nite when im sleeping, and then when i wake up anytihng important that was opened is lost...

Exactly. Windows notifies me of any updates but I decide when to download/install them.

 

[skace]

Originally posted by: Rangoric
I have it set to download them and only install them when I do a full shutdown.

The little icon shows up on the Shutdown button and in the systray, but no nag screens or anything.

Same. Works perfectly and saves me a ton of trouble.