automatic updates questions

[Mike]

When you have automatic windows updates enabled, does that download
and install the patches/updates without you knowing it? I'm asking
because a relative says he's never had to install any patches on his
XP. I thought that sounded strange. I don't know if he meant that he
doesn't bother with them or that he's so dumb he didn't know they were
being installed because of the automatic update.
I download and install the patches/updates manually so I know exactly
what I'm getting. So I don't know anything about the automatic
updates.

 

[Will Denny]

Hi

There are a few AU settings available - right-click My Computer, Select Properties and then the Automatic Updates tab. The settings for AU are available on that screen.

 

[NobodyMan]

When you have automatic windows updates enabled, does that download
and install the patches/updates without you knowing it? I'm asking
because a relative says he's never had to install any patches on his
XP. I thought that sounded strange. I don't know if he meant that he
doesn't bother with them or that he's so dumb he didn't know they were
being installed because of the automatic update.
I download and install the patches/updates manually so I know exactly
what I'm getting. So I don't know anything about the automatic
updates.

Even if the system is set to do updates completely automatically,
you'd know something happened when the system reboots after 90 percent
of them! Your computer was running fine, but you come back and find
it back on the logon screen - power failure, system crash, or update?

I think your relative just never updates the system - and that's an
accident waiting to happen. Don't stick any floppies in his a: drive,
and scan any mail coming from him thoroughly before opening it.