Can't choose which updates to install

I keep getting prompted to install updates, but cannot choose which ones to
install? I've had updates complete trash my machine in the past. I keep
getting continually asked to install Internet Explorer 8 and I'm not ready to
do that. It happens every time I shut down. How do I get the choice or do I
need to disable automatic updates and just use the website when I think it
needs to be done?

Please state your full Windows version (e.g., WinXP SP3; Vista SP2) when
posting to this newsgroup.

Automatic Updates in Vista
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/dow...dowsvista.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pro...owsupdate.mspx

How to configure and use Automatic Updates in WinXP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306525

TIP: Select the "Notify Only" setting and "hide" IE8.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002


Curtis Maurand wrote:
> I keep getting prompted to install updates, but cannot choose which ones
> to
> install? I've had updates complete trash my machine in the past. I keep
> getting continually asked to install Internet Explorer 8 and I'm not ready
> to do that. It happens every time I shut down. How do I get the choice
> or
> do I need to disable automatic updates and just use the website when I
> think it needs to be done?

Windows XP all versions SP2 and SP3. I'm a developer/sysadmin and trying to
hide this kind of thing from the end user is just plain arrogant of MS. I
already know how to configure Windows Update. I've only been working with
Windows since Windows 3.0. The last WGA notification update was the one that
hosed my machine and caused me to have to format the drive and re-install.
I couldn't even go back to a restore point. Very annoying and a topic for a
different newgroup. Thank <Deity of your choice> that I've ghosted the
machine this time so that it will only take me 1/2 an hour to recover instead
of all afternoon.

Thanks for your help.



"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:

> Please state your full Windows version (e.g., WinXP SP3; Vista SP2) when
> posting to this newsgroup.
>
> Automatic Updates in Vista
> http://www.microsoft.com/windows/dow...dowsvista.mspx
> http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pro...owsupdate.mspx
>
> How to configure and use Automatic Updates in WinXP
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306525
>
> TIP: Select the "Notify Only" setting and "hide" IE8.
> --
> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
> MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002
>
>
> Curtis Maurand wrote:
> > I keep getting prompted to install updates, but cannot choose which ones
> > to
> > install? I've had updates complete trash my machine in the past. I keep
> > getting continually asked to install Internet Explorer 8 and I'm not ready
> > to do that. It happens every time I shut down. How do I get the choice
> > or
> > do I need to disable automatic updates and just use the website when I
> > think it needs to be done?
>
>

IE8 was released to Windows Update on 28 April 2009 and there was plenty of
advanced notice. See...

Prepare for Automatic Update distribution of IE8
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/u.../dd365125.aspx

IE8 Blocker Toolkit
http://blogs.msdn.com/ie/archive/200...ble-today.aspx
[Download:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...-8e224ec6dd8c]

Related:
http://blogs.msdn.com/ie/archive/200...n-control.aspx

> The last WGA notification update was the one
> that hosed my machine and caused me to have to format the drive and
> re-install.

Installing the most recent version of KB905474 would only have such an
effect if the validity of your current install of WinXP Pro was in doubt.
If it was legit, there are other options available to resolve the F/P
besides a wipe & reload.

> I couldn't even go back to a restore point.

See comment above.

KB905474 (AKA WGA Notifications) has always been an Optional update but only
if AU is *not* set to the Automatic Configuration or if you update via
WU/MU. PS: It can be removed.
--
~PA Bear


Curtis Maurand wrote:
> Windows XP all versions SP2 and SP3. I'm a developer/sysadmin and trying
> to
> hide this kind of thing from the end user is just plain arrogant of MS. I
> already know how to configure Windows Update. I've only been working with
> Windows since Windows 3.0. The last WGA notification update was the one
> that hosed my machine and caused me to have to format the drive and
> re-install.
> I couldn't even go back to a restore point. Very annoying and a topic for
> a
> different newgroup. Thank <Deity of your choice> that I've ghosted the
> machine this time so that it will only take me 1/2 an hour to recover
> instead of all afternoon.
>
> Thanks for your help.
>
> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:
>> Please state your full Windows version (e.g., WinXP SP3; Vista SP2) when
>> posting to this newsgroup.
>>
>> Automatic Updates in Vista
>> http://www.microsoft.com/windows/dow...dowsvista.mspx
>> http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pro...owsupdate.mspx
>>
>> How to configure and use Automatic Updates in WinXP
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306525
>>
>> TIP: Select the "Notify Only" setting and "hide" IE8.
>> --
>> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
>> MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002
>>
>>
>> Curtis Maurand wrote:
>>> I keep getting prompted to install updates, but cannot choose which ones
>>> to
>>> install? I've had updates complete trash my machine in the past. I
>>> keep
>>> getting continually asked to install Internet Explorer 8 and I'm not
>>> ready
>>> to do that. It happens every time I shut down. How do I get the choice
>>> or
>>> do I need to disable automatic updates and just use the website when I
>>> think it needs to be done?