mysterious Windows update message

I booted up and got a message from Windows saying that it had done an automatic update that involved a reboot. But there was no mention of this when I last turned off the computer. It's not possible Microsoft turned on my computer to perform an update, is it? If not, then what happened here?

 

No, Microsoft hasn't turned on your computer.

Possible explanations:

1. The update notification was delayed (a service might have to poll for update existence before notifying. Perhaps the poll hadn't run)

2. The download had only a small amount remaining to download, and completed before you would expect it normally would.

Not saying either is the case, but both fit.

 

I don't understand what you mean by number 2. Sorry if I'm thick.

 

Not at all!

What I mean is that the update could have been downloading for awhile, and neared completion as you turned off your machine the previous night. If you have "always-on" type internet, the update could have completed downloading as you were logging in, and surprised you with the notification as your desktop appeared.

And on second read of your problem, it is my fault that you can't make sense of what I'm saying. I've misunderstood your situation. You're saying that the machine has DONE an update, not that it WILL do an update, correct? I may have this backward.

 

Right, it had already done an update.