Comments on: Disable Automatic Restart after Windows XP Update

By: Dan

Dan — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 02:16:42 +0000

This method works for every version of Windows:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dS4W7f4VGTQ

By: Jeff

Jeff — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 07:06:58 +0000

Ha! This has got to be IMO one of the worse default settings in XP

By: XP Drivers

XP Drivers — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 10:16:23 +0000

yep! I hate it! what I do is install your download updates and restart my pc immediately when it prompt for restart. Only then I start my work!

By: Jeff

Jeff — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 02:01:57 +0000

Ok, so what if one can’t get to \WindowsUpdate\AU? I have XP Home edition Version 5.1 (Build 2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.090206-1234 : Service Pack 3). I can get through HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows but the \WindowsUpdate\AU is not there. I wish I could say this is an unusual situation but almost every time I try to follow Microsoft instructions the same thing happens; one or more of the things that is supposed to be there isn’t. At one point, I had the service phone number for Outlook memorized. Any help with this would be appreciated. This may be the one that pushes me to a Mac.

By: kozmo403

kozmo403 — Mon, 11 May 2009 12:34:27 +0000

I did forget to thank you for the link. I like automatic updates, but the automatic restart feature is a pain.

By: kozmo403

kozmo403 — Mon, 11 May 2009 12:32:48 +0000

VB, can you point out the flaws in Vista you mentioned? I can point out quite a few that XP has…including the one mentioned in this article.

There is nothing wrong with Vista unless you are using it in a managed environment. If that’s the case, then definitely stick with XP, otherwise make the switch. With Vista SP1 installed, you likely won’t run into many “flaws” as you put it.

By: Velvet Blues

Velvet Blues — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 15:36:13 +0000

@Dennis: Hahaha. Well, I am sure that your computer loves you a lot more than mine does me.

@Nihar: Yes, my computer was configured to automatically download any updates as they became available. So it’d often happen that I run out for lunch or even step away from my computer, and it would have restarted. And I’d lose any unsaved work. What a hassle!

I am glad to share the solution.

By: Nihar

Nihar — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 12:24:35 +0000

I also get upset when my XP bugs me to restart now or restart later…

Thanks for this solution.

By: Dennis Edell

Dennis Edell — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 19:38:01 +0000

Change the registry! Are you insane!! There should be a disclaimer at least in there for newbies. LOL

I always restarted anyway, afraid not doing so would screw something else up.

By: Velvet Blues

Velvet Blues — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 14:23:35 +0000

@Ben: Well, I am still a staunch supporter of XP. Vista has many flaws.

In fact, when I bought a new computer last year, I selected the only one that Dell offered that ran on XP.

By: Ben Pei

Ben Pei — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 11:11:33 +0000

ACtually I was quite irritated by this when I was using XP,glad I switched over to vista for some reasons.

By: Velvet Blues

Velvet Blues — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 07:14:25 +0000

@Kim: Yes, somehow I had never turned this setting off, even though I’ve been frustrated with this for several years!

By: Kim Woodbridge

Kim Woodbridge — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 12:59:34 +0000

I have auto updates turned off and I update on my own schedule. I’ve always done it this way in XP.