Windows Automatic Update

[Janetb]

Windows Automatic Update saps all my computer's resources, slowing it down to
a crawl. It makes it almost impossible to work while AU is active. Is there a
way to configure the system so it's active only when the system is idle? I
have my computer on all day, and so would rather it did its job when I am
away.

When it doesn't allow me to work, I kill wuauclt.exe. I have put a shortcut
to wuauclt.exe on my desktop, thinking that I could click on it when I am
about to take a break. But when I double-click on it, it doesn't come up in
the list of active processes--it doesn't seem to do anything. How can I set
up my system to update regularly but only when the system is idling?

Thanks for any help!
Janet

 

[Leonard Grey]

Control Panel > Automatic Updates > "Automatically download recommended
updates for my computer and install them" on <pick a day> at <pick a time>.

Or:

Control Panel > Automatic Updates > "Download updates for me, but let me
choose when to install them"

Or:

Control Panel > Automatic Updates > "Notify me but don't automatically
download or install them"

Manually terminating an update is a good way to put your computer in an
unstable state.

 

[Janetb]

Thanks for replying, but if you re-read my post, you will see that none of
the Control Panel's options offer what I need. It is neither the downloading
nor the installing that is a problem (I would obviously do that from the icon
left in the system tray when I don't need to work on the computer). Rather,
the resource hog is the searching to see what downloads my system is missing.

I realize I can always go to Start>Windows Update before taking a break, but
that always takes forever. And I may not want to deal with it then and there
when I return from break.

I would like the Automatic Update to work as it does (set it to notify me
when I am missing something and leave an icon in the system tray that I can
click on when I want to deal with it), but I would like it to do so when the
system is idle. I had set wuauclt.exe to Low or Ignore on Process
Controllers, but it didn't seem to work.

 

[Leonard Grey]

There is no setting to install updates 'when the computer is idle'.

 

[Janetb]

I repeat: My question has nothing to do with either downloading or installing
updates .......

 

[Tim Meddick]

You're not listening to "Leonard" - although I realize that you very
much want to hear otherwise - there is NO setting that will enable
Updates to begin or run when the PC is idle.

Your options ONLY include picking a time (and/or a day) for updates to
"Auto-start searching" and make sure the PC is turned on at that time
(e.g. 3am).

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

I repeat: My question has nothing to do with either downloading or
installing
updates .......

 

[Janetb]

Thank you very much for the first post that does, in fact, relate to my
question--which was regarding starting the Update Search.

When I posted, I had already come to the conclusion--like yourself--that the
option settings for Automatic Updates in the System Properties window give
four options:

One allows you to set a specific time for automatic search, download, and
installation.
One allows for automatic search and automatic download without installation.
One allows to totally turn off the entire function.
One (the third) gives an automatic search and notify without any download or
installation. This is the option that is the subject of my post.

The question is whether the process(es) activated by this
function--specifically wuauclt.exe (which is a HUGE process hog)--can be
controlled by any sort of native XP process tamer or equivalent. I find it
strange that the automatic update function is not automatically relegated to
work during system idle, as it is VERY disruptive to work flow on smaller
systems. It took me a while to discover that this is the culprit of my system
slowdown.

A second question is which file(s) activate the update search. This
knowledge would enable me to put the relative shortcut(s) on my desktop and
activate them when desired. I was puzzled to find that wuauclt.exe does not
seem to accomplish this. I thought this Desktop-shortcut technique might be
more efficient than Start>Windows Update or Start>Microsoft Update (what's
the difference?), which are both super crawlers on my system.

You're not listening to "Leonard" - although I realize that you very
much want to hear otherwise - there is NO setting that will enable
Updates to begin or run when the PC is idle.

Your options ONLY include picking a time (and/or a day) for updates to
"Auto-start searching" and make sure the PC is turned on at that time
(e.g. 3am).

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

 

[Tim Meddick]

Janet,
I was well aware of what you kept on asking, a way to start the
Update
Search (i.e. so that the little yellow icon is in the system tray
showing that it's looking for any updates) from the command line (i.e.
so that you can create a shortcut to instigate it "at will").

Or, the other thing you were wanting, is if this process could be
automatically started when the PC was idle for a time.

However, I repeat; there's no [native] way to do any of this in Windows
XP (that I know of at least).

ALL you can do is set updates to do it's search on a specified day (or
every day) and at a specified time.

OR you can have 'Automatic Updates' turned off and Updates alert you so
that you can manually install them, or just alert you, or turn it off
completely.

But I am looking into this further, as I too enjoy having more control
over what Windows does and am convinced that I can find out how to start
the background search for updates from the command-line.

I'll get back to you as soon as I can when I find out about this...

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

Thank you very much for the first post that does, in fact, relate to
my
question--which was regarding starting the Update Search.

When I posted, I had already come to the conclusion--like
yourself--that the
option settings for Automatic Updates in the System Properties window
give
four options:

One allows you to set a specific time for automatic search, download,
and
installation.
One allows for automatic search and automatic download without
installation.
One allows to totally turn off the entire function.
One (the third) gives an automatic search and notify without any
download or
installation. This is the option that is the subject of my post.

The question is whether the process(es) activated by this
function--specifically wuauclt.exe (which is a HUGE process hog)--can
be
controlled by any sort of native XP process tamer or equivalent. I
find it
strange that the automatic update function is not automatically
relegated to
work during system idle, as it is VERY disruptive to work flow on
smaller
systems. It took me a while to discover that this is the culprit of my
system
slowdown.

A second question is which file(s) activate the update search. This
knowledge would enable me to put the relative shortcut(s) on my
desktop and
activate them when desired. I was puzzled to find that wuauclt.exe
does not
seem to accomplish this. I thought this Desktop-shortcut technique
might be
more efficient than Start>Windows Update or Start>Microsoft Update
(what's
the difference?), which are both super crawlers on my system.

 

[Janetb]

Many thanks for your help....See my comments below interspersed with your text:

Janet,
I was well aware of what you kept on asking, a way to start the
Update
Search (i.e. so that the little yellow icon is in the system tray
showing that it's looking for any updates) from the command line (i.e.
so that you can create a shortcut to instigate it "at will").

Yes, but I do hope to be able to do it from shortcut icon(s) on the desktop,
as I do not know how to use command lines...Also, it's quicker .......

Or, the other thing you were wanting, is if this process could be
automatically started when the PC was idle for a time.
However, I repeat; there's no [native] way to do any of this in Windows
XP (that I know of at least).

I guess I was hoping SOMEONE out there might know of a way to do this
unconventional thing .......I have discovered amazing tricks that people
have come up with to do very helpful things...!

ALL you can do is set updates to do it's search on a specified day (or
every day) and at a specified time.

OR you can have 'Automatic Updates' turned off AND Updates alert you so
that you can manually install them, or just alert you, or turn it off
completely.

When you say "Updates alert", do you mean the third option in the Automatic
Updates settings options window (= "Notify me but don't automatically
download or install them") or were you referring to somewhere else? I ask
because you canNOT choose this option AND "Turn off Automatic Updates" as you
seem to suggest--you can only choose one or the other.....In any case, we
seem to understand each other .......

But I am looking into this further, as I too enjoy having more control
over what Windows does and am convinced that I can find out how to start
the background search for updates from the command-line.

I'll get back to you as soon as I can when I find out about this...

Like I said, I am totally ignorant regarding command lines ...:-(....I
assumed that initiating the update search was a matter of simply activating
relevant .exe's (??), which one can always do by shortcut....Looking forward
to hearing from you!

Janet

 

[Leonard Grey]

Let me try to make this clear, so you will finally understand: Windows
XP does not have native functionality to schedule anything associated
with Windows Update 'when the computer is idle'.
---
Leonard Grey
Errare humanum est

Many thanks for your help....See my comments below interspersed with your text:

Janet,
I was well aware of what you kept on asking, a way to start the
Update
Search (i.e. so that the little yellow icon is in the system tray
showing that it's looking for any updates) from the command line (i.e.
so that you can create a shortcut to instigate it "at will").

Yes, but I do hope to be able to do it from shortcut icon(s) on the desktop,
as I do not know how to use command lines...Also, it's quicker .......

Or, the other thing you were wanting, is if this process could be
automatically started when the PC was idle for a time.
However, I repeat; there's no [native] way to do any of this in Windows
XP (that I know of at least).

I guess I was hoping SOMEONE out there might know of a way to do this
unconventional thing .......I have discovered amazing tricks that people
have come up with to do very helpful things...!

ALL you can do is set updates to do it's search on a specified day (or
every day) and at a specified time.

OR you can have 'Automatic Updates' turned off AND Updates alert you so
that you can manually install them, or just alert you, or turn it off
completely.

When you say "Updates alert", do you mean the third option in the Automatic
Updates settings options window (= "Notify me but don't automatically
download or install them") or were you referring to somewhere else? I ask
because you canNOT choose this option AND "Turn off Automatic Updates" as you
seem to suggest--you can only choose one or the other.....In any case, we
seem to understand each other .......

But I am looking into this further, as I too enjoy having more control
over what Windows does and am convinced that I can find out how to start
the background search for updates from the command-line.

I'll get back to you as soon as I can when I find out about this...

Like I said, I am totally ignorant regarding command lines ...:-(....I
assumed that initiating the update search was a matter of simply activating
relevant .exe's (??), which one can always do by shortcut....Looking forward
to hearing from you!

Janet

 

[Tom Willett]

What makes you think it will be any clearer this time around? You're not
telling her what she *wants* to hear, so reality doesn't count.

: Let me try to make this clear, so you will finally understand: Windows
: XP does not have native functionality to schedule anything associated
: with Windows Update 'when the computer is idle'.
: ---
: Leonard Grey
: Errare humanum est
:
: Janetb wrote:
: > Many thanks for your help....See my comments below interspersed with
your text:
: >
: > "Tim Meddick" wrote:
: >
: >> Janet,
: >> I was well aware of what you kept on asking, a way to start the
: >> Update
: >> Search (i.e. so that the little yellow icon is in the system tray
: >> showing that it's looking for any updates) from the command line (i.e.
: >> so that you can create a shortcut to instigate it "at will").
: >
: > Yes, but I do hope to be able to do it from shortcut icon(s) on the
desktop,
: > as I do not know how to use command lines...Also, it's quicker
........
: >
: >> Or, the other thing you were wanting, is if this process could be
: >> automatically started when the PC was idle for a time.
: > > However, I repeat; there's no [native] way to do any of this in
Windows
: >> XP (that I know of at least).
: >
: > I guess I was hoping SOMEONE out there might know of a way to do this
: > unconventional thing .......I have discovered amazing tricks that
people
: > have come up with to do very helpful things...!
: >
: >> ALL you can do is set updates to do it's search on a specified day (or
: >> every day) and at a specified time.
: >>
: >> OR you can have 'Automatic Updates' turned off AND Updates alert you so
: >> that you can manually install them, or just alert you, or turn it off
: >> completely.
: >
: > When you say "Updates alert", do you mean the third option in the
Automatic
: > Updates settings options window (= "Notify me but don't automatically
: > download or install them") or were you referring to somewhere else? I
ask
: > because you canNOT choose this option AND "Turn off Automatic Updates"
as you
: > seem to suggest--you can only choose one or the other.....In any case,
we
: > seem to understand each other .......
: >
: >> But I am looking into this further, as I too enjoy having more control
: >> over what Windows does and am convinced that I can find out how to
start
: >> the background search for updates from the command-line.
: >>
: >> I'll get back to you as soon as I can when I find out about this...
: >
: >
: > Like I said, I am totally ignorant regarding command lines ...:-(....I
: > assumed that initiating the update search was a matter of simply
activating
: > relevant .exe's (??), which one can always do by shortcut....Looking
forward
: > to hearing from you!
: >
: > Janet
: >
: >
: >

 

[Tim Meddick]

Janet,
I'm still going to look further into this, but just to say that
what is meant by "command-line" .

It is very simply the [any] text that you type into either the "Run" box
or into a 'Command Prompt' (dos-box) window and press [ENTER] to start a
program, service, call a function or begin any Window's process.

This is EXACTLY the same as the text you type into the "Target" box of a
shortcut.

Indeed, in past versions of Windows OS, the "Target" box of a shortcut
WAS labelled "Commandline"

Hope this helps...

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

Many thanks for your help....See my comments below interspersed with
your text:

Janet,
I was well aware of what you kept on asking, a way to start the
Update
Search (i.e. so that the little yellow icon is in the system tray
showing that it's looking for any updates) from the command line
(i.e.
so that you can create a shortcut to instigate it "at will").

Yes, but I do hope to be able to do it from shortcut icon(s) on the
desktop,
as I do not know how to use command lines...Also, it's quicker
.......

Or, the other thing you were wanting, is if this process could be
automatically started when the PC was idle for a time.
However, I repeat; there's no [native] way to do any of this in
Windows
XP (that I know of at least).

I guess I was hoping SOMEONE out there might know of a way to do this
unconventional thing .......I have discovered amazing tricks that
people
have come up with to do very helpful things...!

ALL you can do is set updates to do it's search on a specified day
(or
every day) and at a specified time.

OR you can have 'Automatic Updates' turned off AND Updates alert you
so
that you can manually install them, or just alert you, or turn it off
completely.

When you say "Updates alert", do you mean the third option in the
Automatic
Updates settings options window (= "Notify me but don't automatically
download or install them") or were you referring to somewhere else? I
ask
because you canNOT choose this option AND "Turn off Automatic Updates"
as you
seem to suggest--you can only choose one or the other.....In any case,
we
seem to understand each other .......

But I am looking into this further, as I too enjoy having more
control
over what Windows does and am convinced that I can find out how to
start
the background search for updates from the command-line.

I'll get back to you as soon as I can when I find out about this...

Like I said, I am totally ignorant regarding command lines ...:-(....I
assumed that initiating the update search was a matter of simply
activating
relevant .exe's (??), which one can always do by shortcut....Looking
forward
to hearing from you!

Janet

 

[Tim Meddick]

Please don't be so quick to pass judgement.

None of us are "all-knowing" and to say 100% "there is no way to do
this" is not clever as many processes in Windows that are not meant to
be started from the command-line have had people ardently look for a way
to accomplish it - and sometimes find one.

The OP did say "I was hoping someone might know" and only appeared
insistent when she thought that her advisors had misinterpreted what she
wanted.

But this turned out to be a misunderstanding, as she is now fully aware
that there may well be NO WAY, indeed, to do this.


==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

What makes you think it will be any clearer this time around? You're
not
telling her what she *wants* to hear, so reality doesn't count.

: Let me try to make this clear, so you will finally understand:
Windows
: XP does not have native functionality to schedule anything
associated
: with Windows Update 'when the computer is idle'.
: ---
: Leonard Grey
: Errare humanum est
:
: Janetb wrote:
: > Many thanks for your help....See my comments below interspersed
with
your text:
: >
: > "Tim Meddick" wrote:
: >
: >> Janet,
: >> I was well aware of what you kept on asking, a way to start the
: >> Update
: >> Search (i.e. so that the little yellow icon is in the system tray
: >> showing that it's looking for any updates) from the command line
(i.e.
: >> so that you can create a shortcut to instigate it "at will").
: >
: > Yes, but I do hope to be able to do it from shortcut icon(s) on
the
desktop,
: > as I do not know how to use command lines...Also, it's quicker
.......
: >
: >> Or, the other thing you were wanting, is if this process could be
: >> automatically started when the PC was idle for a time.
: > > However, I repeat; there's no [native] way to do any of this in
Windows
: >> XP (that I know of at least).
: >
: > I guess I was hoping SOMEONE out there might know of a way to do
this
: > unconventional thing .......I have discovered amazing tricks
that
people
: > have come up with to do very helpful things...!
: >
: >> ALL you can do is set updates to do it's search on a specified
day (or
: >> every day) and at a specified time.
: >>
: >> OR you can have 'Automatic Updates' turned off AND Updates alert
you so
: >> that you can manually install them, or just alert you, or turn it
off
: >> completely.
: >
: > When you say "Updates alert", do you mean the third option in the
Automatic
: > Updates settings options window (= "Notify me but don't
automatically
: > download or install them") or were you referring to somewhere
else? I
ask
: > because you canNOT choose this option AND "Turn off Automatic
Updates"
as you
: > seem to suggest--you can only choose one or the other.....In any
case,
we
: > seem to understand each other .......
: >
: >> But I am looking into this further, as I too enjoy having more
control
: >> over what Windows does and am convinced that I can find out how
to
start
: >> the background search for updates from the command-line.
: >>
: >> I'll get back to you as soon as I can when I find out about
this...
: >
: >
: > Like I said, I am totally ignorant regarding command lines
...:-(....I
: > assumed that initiating the update search was a matter of simply
activating
: > relevant .exe's (??), which one can always do by
shortcut....Looking
forward
: > to hearing from you!
: >
: > Janet
: >
: >
: >

 

[Tim Meddick]

Janet,
I'm happy to say that I very much think that I've found the
[command-line] solution.

Either put the following into a batch script or create a shortcut out of
the following (just 'copy and paste' the text into the "Target" box of a
new shortcut) :


c:\windows\system32\wuauclt.exe /detectnow


....this starts WU in the background and installs updates silently (at
reboot) and is the same process that "Automatic Updates" (when / if
scheduled) starts.

You will have to decide when and how you implement this shortcut.

Hope this helps you.

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

Many thanks for your help....See my comments below interspersed with
your text:

Janet,
I was well aware of what you kept on asking, a way to start the
Update
Search (i.e. so that the little yellow icon is in the system tray
showing that it's looking for any updates) from the command line
(i.e.
so that you can create a shortcut to instigate it "at will").

Yes, but I do hope to be able to do it from shortcut icon(s) on the
desktop,
as I do not know how to use command lines...Also, it's quicker
.......

Or, the other thing you were wanting, is if this process could be
automatically started when the PC was idle for a time.
However, I repeat; there's no [native] way to do any of this in
Windows
XP (that I know of at least).

I guess I was hoping SOMEONE out there might know of a way to do this
unconventional thing .......I have discovered amazing tricks that
people
have come up with to do very helpful things...!

ALL you can do is set updates to do it's search on a specified day
(or
every day) and at a specified time.

OR you can have 'Automatic Updates' turned off AND Updates alert you
so
that you can manually install them, or just alert you, or turn it off
completely.

When you say "Updates alert", do you mean the third option in the
Automatic
Updates settings options window (= "Notify me but don't automatically
download or install them") or were you referring to somewhere else? I
ask
because you canNOT choose this option AND "Turn off Automatic Updates"
as you
seem to suggest--you can only choose one or the other.....In any case,
we
seem to understand each other .......

But I am looking into this further, as I too enjoy having more
control
over what Windows does and am convinced that I can find out how to
start
the background search for updates from the command-line.

I'll get back to you as soon as I can when I find out about this...

Like I said, I am totally ignorant regarding command lines ...:-(....I
assumed that initiating the update search was a matter of simply
activating
relevant .exe's (??), which one can always do by shortcut....Looking
forward
to hearing from you!

Janet

 

[Margaret Bartley]

Thank you! You are wonderful

- signed (an interested lurker)

Janet,
I'm happy to say that I very much think that I've found the
[command-line] solution.

Either put the following into a batch script or create a shortcut out of
the following (just 'copy and paste' the text into the "Target" box of a
new shortcut) :


c:\windows\system32\wuauclt.exe /detectnow


...this starts WU in the background and installs updates silently (at
reboot) and is the same process that "Automatic Updates" (when / if
scheduled) starts.

You will have to decide when and how you implement this shortcut.

Hope this helps you.

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

Many thanks for your help....See my comments below interspersed with your
text:

Janet,
I was well aware of what you kept on asking, a way to start the
Update
Search (i.e. so that the little yellow icon is in the system tray
showing that it's looking for any updates) from the command line (i.e.
so that you can create a shortcut to instigate it "at will").

Yes, but I do hope to be able to do it from shortcut icon(s) on the
desktop,
as I do not know how to use command lines...Also, it's quicker .......

Or, the other thing you were wanting, is if this process could be
automatically started when the PC was idle for a time.
However, I repeat; there's no [native] way to do any of this in Windows
XP (that I know of at least).

I guess I was hoping SOMEONE out there might know of a way to do this
unconventional thing .......I have discovered amazing tricks that
people
have come up with to do very helpful things...!

ALL you can do is set updates to do it's search on a specified day (or
every day) and at a specified time.

OR you can have 'Automatic Updates' turned off AND Updates alert you so
that you can manually install them, or just alert you, or turn it off
completely.

When you say "Updates alert", do you mean the third option in the
Automatic
Updates settings options window (= "Notify me but don't automatically
download or install them") or were you referring to somewhere else? I ask
because you canNOT choose this option AND "Turn off Automatic Updates" as
you
seem to suggest--you can only choose one or the other.....In any case, we
seem to understand each other .......

But I am looking into this further, as I too enjoy having more control
over what Windows does and am convinced that I can find out how to start
the background search for updates from the command-line.

I'll get back to you as soon as I can when I find out about this...

Like I said, I am totally ignorant regarding command lines ...:-(....I
assumed that initiating the update search was a matter of simply
activating
relevant .exe's (??), which one can always do by shortcut....Looking
forward
to hearing from you!

Janet

 

[Tim Meddick]

And thank you for re-posting that you have a satisfactory solution
to the query you originally posted.

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

Thank you! You are wonderful

- signed (an interested lurker)

Janet,
I'm happy to say that I very much think that I've found the [command-line]
solution.

Either put the following into a batch script or create a shortcut out of the
following (just 'copy and paste' the text into the "Target" box of a new shortcut)
:


c:\windows\system32\wuauclt.exe /detectnow


...this starts WU in the background and installs updates silently (at reboot) and
is the same process that "Automatic Updates" (when / if scheduled) starts.

You will have to decide when and how you implement this shortcut.

Hope this helps you.

==

Cheers, Tim Meddick, Peckham, London.

Many thanks for your help....See my comments below interspersed with your text:

:

Janet,
I was well aware of what you kept on asking, a way to start the
Update
Search (i.e. so that the little yellow icon is in the system tray
showing that it's looking for any updates) from the command line (i.e.
so that you can create a shortcut to instigate it "at will").

Yes, but I do hope to be able to do it from shortcut icon(s) on the desktop,
as I do not know how to use command lines...Also, it's quicker .......

Or, the other thing you were wanting, is if this process could be
automatically started when the PC was idle for a time.
However, I repeat; there's no [native] way to do any of this in Windows
XP (that I know of at least).

I guess I was hoping SOMEONE out there might know of a way to do this
unconventional thing .......I have discovered amazing tricks that people
have come up with to do very helpful things...!

ALL you can do is set updates to do it's search on a specified day (or
every day) and at a specified time.

OR you can have 'Automatic Updates' turned off AND Updates alert you so
that you can manually install them, or just alert you, or turn it off
completely.

When you say "Updates alert", do you mean the third option in the Automatic
Updates settings options window (= "Notify me but don't automatically
download or install them") or were you referring to somewhere else? I ask
because you canNOT choose this option AND "Turn off Automatic Updates" as you
seem to suggest--you can only choose one or the other.....In any case, we
seem to understand each other .......

But I am looking into this further, as I too enjoy having more control
over what Windows does and am convinced that I can find out how to start
the background search for updates from the command-line.

I'll get back to you as soon as I can when I find out about this...


Like I said, I am totally ignorant regarding command lines ...:-(....I
assumed that initiating the update search was a matter of simply activating
relevant .exe's (??), which one can always do by shortcut....Looking forward
to hearing from you!

Janet