Windows Updates Setting, WinXP Pro

[Mudbone]

I just installed WinXP Pro with SP2 on a new machine I built. The windows automatic updates is set to the automatic recommended option, download and install, and is set to check everyday at 3:00. (The second option, which I am inclined to use, automatically downloads but does not install without my input.)

However I have an icon on the task that when clicked, says your updates are ready. There were seven of them. I can review them and then choose which to install. Now it seems to me that this is how the system would behave if I chose the second option. If the recommended option is to automatically download and install, why did it ask me first? If I change the setting to the second one, what will it do then?

 

[MrChad]

From Help:

If you use the Automatic (recommended) setting, new updates are installed at 3 A.M. However, you can change the time or frequency of scheduled updates to best suit your needs.

If your computer is turned off during a scheduled update, updates are installed the next time you start your computer. You can also choose to have Windows notify you when new updates are available, and then install them yourself.

The second option will not automatically install them at all, but it will automatically download them.

 

[Mudbone]

Originally posted by: MrChad
From Help:

If you use the Automatic (recommended) setting, new updates are installed at 3 A.M. However, you can change the time or frequency of scheduled updates to best suit your needs.

If your computer is turned off during a scheduled update, updates are installed the next time you start your computer. You can also choose to have Windows notify you when new updates are available, and then install them yourself.

The second option will not automatically install them at all, but it will automatically download them.

Ok, Either I am not understanding what is written there or I am not making my self clear. The way I read that is that set on automatic, it will download and install by itself without my input at the set time and frequency. If the computer is off at that time, it will do it the next time the computer is started it will do it, again without my input. Ok fine, My computer is set to that option, but is automatically downloading and then asking for my input to install, not automatically installing. Why?

 

[MrChad]

If you wait until 3 am, does it automatically install?

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: Mudbone
I just installed WinXP Pro with SP2 on a new machine I built. The windows automatic updates is set to the automatic recommended option, download and install, and is set to check everyday at 3:00. (The second option, which I am inclined to use, automatically downloads but does not install without my input.)

However I have an icon on the task that when clicked, says your updates are ready. There were seven of them. I can review them and then choose which to install. Now it seems to me that this is how the system would behave if I chose the second option. If the recommended option is to automatically download and install, why did it ask me first? If I change the setting to the second one, what will it do then?

It's working correctly, BITS will download any found changes in the background (trickle them in, so in theory you don't notice a big bandwidth hit). Once local the system will tell you the updates are available, you can review and install them yourselves. If you wait long enough (I think until the next 3am scheduled window) they will automatically install (and reboot the machine if needed).

Bill

 

[MrChad]

Originally posted by: bsobel

Originally posted by: Mudbone
I just installed WinXP Pro with SP2 on a new machine I built. The windows automatic updates is set to the automatic recommended option, download and install, and is set to check everyday at 3:00. (The second option, which I am inclined to use, automatically downloads but does not install without my input.)

However I have an icon on the task that when clicked, says your updates are ready. There were seven of them. I can review them and then choose which to install. Now it seems to me that this is how the system would behave if I chose the second option. If the recommended option is to automatically download and install, why did it ask me first? If I change the setting to the second one, what will it do then?

It's working correctly, BITS will download any found changes in the background (trickle them in, so in theory you don't notice a big bandwidth hit). Once local the system will tell you the updates are available, you can review and install them yourselves. If you wait long enough (I think until the next 3am scheduled window) they will automatically install (and reboot the machine if needed).

Bill

:thumbsup:

Bill explained it much more eloquently than I.

 

[Mudbone]

I haven't made it to Three AM yet.

I think I understand now. It checks for downloads all along. If you click on the icon it will go ahead and install them at that time. If you make it to the set time without approving it, it will do it anyway.

Thanks guys


BTW how do you guys have yours set. I have a knee jerk reaction to anything automatically installing stuff on my computer. I wasn't sure if this was justified or not with Windows Updates.

 

[bsobel]

My servers have me check the updates and control the reboot, my workstations I let it just do (since I can always system restore back). Only the critical updates will get installed this way, the others are still up to you to check.

Bill

 

[Mudbone]

Thanks