I want to turn off the automatic restart for Windows Update on Windows 7 Home Premium. How do I do this?

Anonymous

I went to sleep last night and when I woke up my computer had been restarted. I did not tell it to restart, I did not want it restarted, and I had documents opened that I cannot recover because it restarted. It restarted because Windows Update had a single update to install. I am running Windows 7 Home Premium, so I do not have the group policy editor, and the registry key that some websites mentioned to use to disable the restart is not there.

Keep in mind, I just want to prevent an involuntary restart. I do not want to turn off Windows Update, and I don't mind being prompted to restart. I just don't want my computer restarting on its own ever again.

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Anonymous

In Windows Update, click on change settings. Under Important Updates, select 'Download updates but let me choose whether to install them'. This will give you the control on when to install and restart if required.

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Anonymous

2011-08-10T14:47:16+00:00

A restart is required if files are being replaced that are currently in use. It's more that that really.

Any OS wouldn't be stable if it allowed one to replace in use files. As such, it's also a security thing.

Now a bit of editorializing: I never understand why users who complain about their own lack of knowledge of how their computer is configured. Yes, you may have lost work because you neglected to reconfigure Windows Update not to automatically restart. I sympathize, but the issue is bigger than that. It's one of security again.

In order that your system stay up to date and secure , you need to keep it updated. This goes for all OSes -not just Windows.

A few years ago, Microsoft was taken to task (rightfully so) about how 'open' an initial install was - their general approach being that users should lock down their own system as their needs dictate. They were berated daily & often by the usual suspects regarding this, and few years back they changed the approach to 'secure by default'. Now a new install is pretty locked down. You need to see the default settings for auto update in this light.

And lastly, it's a computer - not a toaster. You will be required know more than how to plug it in and press the big friendly buttons.
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Anonymous

2011-07-25T08:45:28+00:00

I am a PC, but Microsoft tells me what to do?

It's MY computer. If I want to be infected, it's MY choice. If I want to take risks, it's MY choice.

I am a customer, Microsoft, let me decide.
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Anonymous

2011-07-19T02:39:05+00:00

Of course you're vulnerable until you have fully installed a patch. Of course, that means you should just leave your computer switched off all the time, because it will never be fully patched.

If my computer is not fully patched, what is the risk? I will lose time and data if it is compromised.

If my computer reboots when I'm in the middle of doing something, and have unsaved data in an application, what's the risk? I will lose time and data.

If I'm running Home Premium, how do I mitigate that second risk? The only way thru the UI is to switch off Windows Update (either partially or fully).
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