Downloading updates w/o being asked.

Sorry about that Bill ....no, you will just have to wait until it is finished downloading ...but it should then tell you it is ready to install and you can choose custom install and allow or refuse ....(I've had up to 80 updates after a reinstall ...took an hour at least.)

I haven't seen the issue myself ...all of my machines are set as yours ..to alert me when there are new updates.

You may have to turn auto off completely.

Then if that doesn't work ...do as suggested in the other thread.

 

http://windowssecrets.com/2007/09/13/01-Microsoft-updates-Windows-without-users-consent

Clinton explained that Microsoft has been updating WU in this manner since the service's debut. In this regard, Windows Updates is configured in such a manner that it will disregard the users' updating settings. With the sole exception of not auto-updating, when the Automatic Updates option is turned off. However, when users opt for the automatic installation of updates, or for notifications in relation to fresh releases, the company goes ahead and pushes the refreshes independent of the user. Microsoft indicated in no way that this practice will change in time.

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Micr...ta-and-XP-without-their-Knowledge-65608.shtml

 

First link will tell you how to check what has been updated ...incase you don't get the options.

 

Bill,
Did you check this:
[FONT=Arial,Sans-serif]In XP, click Start, Run.

Step 2. Type eventvwr.msc and press Enter.

Step 3. In the tree pane on the left, select System.

Step 4. The right pane displays events and several details about them. Event types such as "Installation" are labeled in the Category column. "Windows Update Agent" is the event typically listed in the Source column for system patches.

On systems that were checked recently by Windows Secrets readers, the Event Log shows two installation events on Aug. 24. The files were stealth-updated in the early morning hours. (The time stamp will vary, of course, on machines that received the patch on other dates.)

To investigate further, you can open the Event Log's properties for each event. Normally, when a Windows update event occurs, the properties dialog box shows an associated KB number, enabling you to find more information at Microsoft's Web site. Mysteriously, no KB number is given for the WU updates that began in August. The description merely reads, "Installation Successful: Windows successfully installed the following update: Automatic Updates."[/FONT]

 

What gaping holes? the Update software is already part of the OS like all OSes have any updates come via that, plus you signed EULA on installing the OS so in the EULA is the right for the company to update the product as they see fit, rightly or wrongly.... other software does same but we dont grumble, many AVs update silently and we have no idea what the issues may be with them, one last last year flagged Excel as malware and deleted it, it was McAfee BTW, in which many users lost valuable files.

They do come clean, but you need to know where to look as many of the stories just diss MS and their practices ( I dont agree with all their practices but I dont jump into the fire without researching first, but then I dont need to sell a story ) over reporting that someone on the product team responsible has put hands up and said Oooops!
http://blogs.technet.com/wsus/archive/2007/10/25/wds-update-revision-follow-up.aspx

This issue of silent updates was brought up in a talk I was at last week @ MS by one of their chief security employees and he actually was honest and said they dev teams on this made a huge gaff, they just didnt chat with one of the other teams and the update went out without looking at the concequences.


If we think MS have a hidden agenda, as has been said many times, uninstall and install a flavour of Linux.... dont wish to get into an argument but IF I dont like a product I dont use it, simple and easy.. I move to another until I find what I like,

or join the Microsoft Connect Website and join a beta and make your voice heard to the folk who program these apps, while it may fall on deaf ears at times you at least like many others on these beta feedback programs get your message across and many times they do listen and action it, moan an gripe is not productive in my very humble opinion.