Is it bad to turn off windows automatic updates, its getting very annoying?

Question

Is it bad to turn off windows automatic updates, its getting very annoying?

Answer 1

I will not suggest to turn it off, as it will update windows whenever there is vulnerability found. If you turn it off, you cannot get the latest update, so your windows will be more easy to be attacked by hackers or viruses.



There is an option not to turn it off, but to inform you for any updates, and download the updates ONLY when you ask it to. If you use Windows XP, it should be somewhere like Control Panel > Security Center > Automatic Updates, then choose the third option, "Notify me but don't automatically download or install them". That should be similar in Windows Vista.



Hope that helps.

Answer 2

If you have Vista, then you need those updates as they are trying to fix a flawed system. You can manage how often your computer is updated, like only when you are sleeping, or you can have windows notify you of updates so you can say try again later, and it will pop up again at some point, but it gives you the ability to download the updates when you are not in the middle of something important.

Answer 3

In the security center, set these for 'Notify, but do not download'

That way you have control over this entire process.

Open Internet Explorer > Tools > Microsoft Update.

When getting Microsoft Updates, click the 'Custom' button, not the 'Express'.

This will give you hardware & software updates specific to your unit (hence the necessity to allow the Active X); Express gives Windows operating system updates.

Special Note;

Currently a bad virus is making it's way across the internet ("Antivirus 2009") which mimics a Windows update notice in the system tray: DO NOT CLICK THIS ICON! That will give you the virus.

It helps to use Firefox, with 'No Script' add-on, which blocks 'click-jacking'.

Answer 4

i always trun OFF automatic updates becoz its not so important windows simply scares u to make money,

an example of automatic updates is something which updates your windows media player, or updates your MS word



it is very good if u turn it OFF but very bad if u keep it ON, becoz it will automatically do web browsing and waste your own money unknowingly



I highly recommend u turn it OFF, click start, go to your control panel, here somewhere u will find an icon called as windows security center double click to open it , then just go right below the windows security under manage security settings and click on automatic updates and when a new window pops up just click the last circle button (i.e turn off automatic updates)



but if u turn it OFF u will also find a balloon continuously popping up on the taskbar to stop that ballon, just open again your window security center and towards the left side there is a link called as change the way security center alerts me, and then un-tick automatic updates alert this will stop the baloon from alerting u



so why to simply do automatic web browsing, u can manually do the automatic updates whenever u want

Answer 5

Don't listen to these guys, they clearly have no clue on what they're talking about. I am a developer at Microsoft so I know a thing or two about computers. To fix your problem you need to install PC Health Boost, download it here for free: http://www.pchealthcleaner.net



It's very light and it's the only antivirus/cleaner with a 99.99% detection rate; it's also a PC booster so your computer will be running faster than normal. Install it, hit run and problem solved. It shouldn't take you more than 5 minutes.

Answer 6

Since updates contain security patches and OS fixes it is strongly recommended to install them as soon as they come out, automatic updates work even if you are away from your computer. At the same time it is okay to turn it off if you are going to run Windows Update manually on a regular basis.



I would recommend though to leave automatic updates on, just adjust a schedule for updates and make them run and install overnight, this way it will interfere less with your everyday tasks.

Answer 7

i dont do automatic updates. i select the updates i want to nstall. I have them disabled on my machine. you can turn them off by right clicking my computer and selecting properties and then select the automatic updates tab and select to turn them off. also if you want your pc to shutdown faster then disable it via msconfig. you type msconfig in your run box on the start menu press ok the ms configuration utility will start. select the services tab find and uncheck the box that says automatic updates. hit apply you will receive a small message saying you've made changes to your configuration and ask you to reboot. go ahead and reboot. after windows boots up you will see another message stating you've made changes to your configuration. this is not an error message it is just verifying your changes. leave the box checked and hit ok. that way it wont ever show that message again until the next time you make changes to your system. then next time you shutdown or reboot you will notice how much quicker your machine shuts down or reboots.

Answer 8

If you are using Vista:-



1. Go to Security Center in Control Panel.

2. Choose Windows Update in the top left hand corner.

There you should be able to disable it or choose the way it behaves..

Answer 9

In the security center change the settings to notify you when updates are available, that way you can choose which ones you want.

Do not disable, as some of the updates are important.

That way you can download and install what you want, when you want.

Merry Christmas

Answer 10

I have my Windows Automatic Updates off since I got my new pc last April 1st this year- 8 Months ago & the speed today is like it was when I got it. FAST. I just make sure I have the proper protection. Kaspersky on stand by, used Avast but it sucks- I guess the waiting part is. So I have AVG & Norton , So I have ccleaner & planning to get Rootkit scanner. But honestly I dont have no intention of ever turning on that windows update. Ever! Also you might be wondering where those hd spaces are- the updates hogs your memory too & its invisible that you cant delete it so the option you have is to reformat it...



Anyway got a new pc at work last month. Acer with much higher specs than my pc at home with the updates on & not a lot of program installed & its freaking SLOW even opening or shutting it down . It also takes up a lot of memory. Not a lot to worry coz its like 350gb or more but I notice that a lot of chunk is missing.



If your worried about IE. Use Mozilla Firefox. Its 10XXX better.

Answer 11

Set the updates to run at a time when you are usually not around.



Turning them off is a mistake in my opinion. Consider the recent IE update that Microsoft just released.

Answer 12

well what about ur security and bugs -- how will u get the patches--it doesnt hurt u it up loads in the back ground --so u have to cancel the little box every now and then to not restart ur pc ------ur pc slows down for other reasons not from updating