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j876
17 November 2011
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I have my Windows Machines set to "Notify me before downloading and installing" some of the reasons being:
- The Automatic Updates Setting only installs the critical updates and not the optional or recommended updates.
- It installs updates when you are busy or working on something.
- It sometimes installs updates when the computer shuts down. Very annoying.
- I do not like installing major updates like service packs, internet explorer, or DirectX updates using this method. I look up the Microsoft Knowledge Base Article and download the full file (not the bootstrapped versions) and install them manually. If the install fails it is much easier to reverse and more than likely you will be downloading all the minor updates that the service pack addresses before the service pack is downloaded.
- If you have a 3G dongle and you have this turned on you will get whacked with excess usage charges. I have updates set to manual on my phone to also avoid this scenario.
Comment made about the PC & Tech Authority article:
Why do nearly 5 per cent of users have Windows 7 update turned off??
Microsoft has revealed the update habits of Windows 7 users, with nearly 5 per cent never checking for system updates.
What do you think? Join the discussion. |
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eggcarton
17 November 2011
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I don't turn it on so it doesn't use up my download quota |
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dbareis
17 November 2011
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Microsofts "improvements" are a very minor tweak which doesn't fix the problem that I don't want EVER to be prompted for reboot, particularly when Microsoft have made it very simple to accidently reboot. The software should download and install at next boot. Maybe it should start nagging after 'x' days if you haven't booted. |
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amcmo
18 November 2011
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I have it set to download then allow me to choose to install.
Given the number of vulnerabilities in Win it's essential to keep on top of the security updates.
What does give me the sh.ts is the number of times it asks to restart then BSOD's. Shutting down from the BSOD then a cold start ignoring the reapir prompt works every time. Of course the answer is to not restart, but to shut down and a cold start.
Another wonderful M$ issue, after recent update it decided that the boot repair utility was not compatible with the latest upgrades..... |
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Reggie
18 November 2011
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I set it to never update, but by some stealth method (perhaps manual .NET updates?) it manages to switch itself back on, perhaps that is why 5% isn't more like 25%. |
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Dinks-c
18 November 2011
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The Media center has the downloads switched off. As I find some break the media center component and we arrive to watch something and low and behold I end up with an Irate WAF because it didn't record her fave soap. The Media Center gets updates manually every so often.
The other computers are set to download and wait. This way I can install when I can watch what happens. |
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skarpethinn
18 November 2011
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I have my desktop set to "notify me before downloading and installing" because i am on a wireless/mobile internet plan with limited use, & i don't wanna be caught out (like a bunch of my friends were a couple months ago) when WU downloads & installs GB+ updates & using up all my allowance.
Edited by skarpethinn: 18/11/2011 01:53:42 PM |
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twoworlds
18 November 2011
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I hate Windows updates.
If I'm ever wondering why my computer is slowing to a crawl it's invariably because of Windows updates. The worst offender is Windows Media Centre. It's simply ridiculous that it downloads in the background and then when I go to turn off my machine it declares "Please do not turn off your computer...installing 1 of 10 updates etc" No, I have to go to a meeting and do a presentation on said computer!
Can the Softies please rip off OSX which presents you with a dialog box saying "There are updates available from Apple...install yes or no". That way you're in control over what's happening on your computer and when.
I too have tried turning off updates but Windows throws a hissy fit warning me about the end of the world if I do so. I switch it off regardless and typical Windows, it manages to update itself anyway.
I'm guessing its because Microsoft doesn't want to be seen as being lax with security. However, if a software update dialog box did pop up it might actually educate people the necessity of updating your software. Just a simple box saying yes or no, maybe with a small explanation as to why you should update. Instead, by having it run in the background it drives people insane and just gets in the way.
Maybe a better question to ask on the blog would be "Is there a better way to do Windows updates?" Methinks you'd get a lot more than 5% on that one... |
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thcispc
18 November 2011
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We use the same 'Notify only'rule for two machines on XP Pro, and one on W7. The span of comment above covers the usual reasons. An additional reason for our case is logging changes made, and occurences that may result from these. It is interesting to me that an issue with XP updates which was common in MS forums has never been dealt with AFAIK. That issue was the appearance of the update notify shield, and its failure to evoke an update on most occasions -- it starts but never finishes the job. A visit to MS Update using IE was, in those cases, was the only way this situation was resolved --- still the same up 'till recently. Sequencing of updates and backups is another factor in timing, especially if the backup run is done on a longish interval. |
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gnome
19 November 2011
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The story intro claims that 5% of users 'never check for updates', which is an extrapolation too far.
Probably most of the 5% do check for available updates and install them, but at a time that they choose. As others have noted above, the windoze AU facility can be bloody annoying, for a number of reasons which should have been addressed by MS long ago.
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fourassedmonkey
21 November 2011
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I would guess that a chunk of those not updating are running a pirated version and are worried about breaking whatever hack they have used (KB971033, anyone?) |
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desbromilow
21 November 2011
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Notify and ask beofer install - Why? Sick of leaving a processing task running (download, compile, encoding, etc) and coming back later to find "your PC downloaded an update which required the PC to reboot" - all files lost, all time lost, no please or thank you under "automatic".
It's MY PC, I'll decide when it turns on and off, and what it will or will not do - not some OS provider. |
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jman231994
23 November 2011
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Yea I've never updated win7 since i got it. Might do it this weekend actually. The main reason I have is because its annoying when it attacks you for a restart. Other than that there isn't really anything i have against it. Also, I have no issues running the original non updated version, may have a few security holes but I really don't care, it works for everything I do on it. And if some of you read this thinking im some idiot who thinks a computer is just a utility, turn around and walk away. I love working with my computer and making sure its running in tip top shape, But I see no reason to bother with all the junk microsoft gives out. Security updates however, yea this weekend |
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Tysio
11 December 2011
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I actually have them turned off. I don't see the point, although I know that they do have patches for the OS and security updates etc. But I find it can be a pain having to restart a lot, and also I think it seemingly decreases a PC's performance. That's my thoughts anyway.
http://www.ipad-ipod.com.au |
