Shut down without installing Windows updates

I was just in a situation where I needed to shut down my computer immediately, but was not given an option to shut down without installing Windows updates.

Trying to compromise, I walked around on the city streets with my laptop out and running with the screen open, like an idiot. I gave the update process about 10 minutes before it became clear that this wasn't going to be practical.

Thus I held down the power button to force a shutdown.

Obviously, I should not have been forced to begin the update process.

So, was this a bug, or just an idiotic feature?

Edit: taking my laptop out of its bag, I see it's still running, so perhaps the update process also makes it impossible to power-down via holding down the power button? EVEN BETTER-- so that means my laptop was running for almost an hour while wrapped up an insulated container that locked in heat. GREAT! Are there any other methods by which Windows will try to destroy my computer?

 

I'm assuming you are talking about Windows 7? If so, you can use the CTL + ALT + DEL keys and select SHUTDOWN on the lower right hand corner. There are likely some registry settings that will enable that option as well, but the CTL+ALT+DEL is simple enough.

 

Thank you, sir.

--Guy who remembers when everything in Windows wasn't bolted down and under the hood

 

You can avoid getting caught out like that again by changing the settings for Windows Update in Control Panel, selecting to download updates but you decide when to install them. Automatic updates will download them and if you try to shut down before the scheduled time for automatic installation it will delay shutdown until the installation has completed. That isn't always convenient.