automatic updates

[Stephen]

Firstly, is it possible to set up automatic updates (for Windows XP and/or
application software) to be effective only when a particular user logs on?
This would mean that other members of my family would not be bothered by
pop-up requests that they find difficult to deal with.

Secondly, all of these things want to check for (and download) updates as
soon as you turn on the computer, which is annoying if you turn it on in a
hurry to do something. Is it possible to make automatic updates wait, say
until the computer has been on for a set time, before kicking in?

Thanks,
Stephen

 

[Malke]

Firstly, is it possible to set up automatic updates (for Windows XP and/or
application software) to be effective only when a particular user logs on?
This would mean that other members of my family would not be bothered by
pop-up requests that they find difficult to deal with.

Secondly, all of these things want to check for (and download) updates as
soon as you turn on the computer, which is annoying if you turn it on in a
hurry to do something. Is it possible to make automatic updates wait, say
until the computer has been on for a set time, before kicking in?

No and not AFAIK.

The Windows Updates settings are global. The preferred setting if you
are on broadband is to download the updates and alert you when they are
ready. Simply tell the other users to let you know when they see the
yellow shield and let you handle it.

Regarding updates for third-party programs, you'd need to check in each
of those programs for updating options and see yourself if they are
global or per user.

If your computer is so slow that the automatic checking for updates
makes it unusable, then you have something else wrong with your computer
or it is seriously underpowered for XP. Since you gave no details about
your machine, I can't address any specific issues about that.

Slow or Sluggish Computer:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/slowcom.htm
http://aumha.org/a/health.htm - Take Out the Trash


Malke

 

[Gerry]

Stephen

Malke has explained most of what needs to be said. However, some further
options.

In Start, Control Panel, Automatic Updates uncheck Automatic and check
"Notify me but don't automatically download or install". When notified
commence the process by selecting Start, Help and Support, Keep your
computer up-to-date with Windows Update and opt for a Custom install.
Other users will get a pop up but are not forced to respond.

The alternative is to turn off Automatic Update and check say weekly.
Most updates are distributed every second Tuesday (US time) in the month
but not all are distributed in this way. Users of Windows Defender get
updates every 2 or 3 days and I would imagine this also applies to
Windows Live Onecare.


--

Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Paul Randall]

Hi, Malke
Would it be possible for the OP to turn off all the automatic update stuff
so that nobody is bothered by it, and then have a login or startup script or
something that only applies to his account, which would ask him once a week
or so if he wants to do the update thing and tell him how long it has been
since he did the last update thing?

-Paul Randall

 

[Malke]

Hi, Malke
Would it be possible for the OP to turn off all the automatic update stuff
so that nobody is bothered by it, and then have a login or startup script or
something that only applies to his account, which would ask him once a week
or so if he wants to do the update thing and tell him how long it has been
since he did the last update thing?

Why even bother with a script? Why not just put a reminder in whatever
calendar he's using? Unless the OP comes back with more information
about his system and the problem, anything else would be just guessing
and IMO that's a waste of time. But you can speculate all you like. ;-)


Malke