Auto Updates downloaded, but don't want to install

My system got set to Auto Updates and now have a bunch of updates listed
under Add/Remove Programs, they all start with KB and then SP2 which must be
Service Pack 2. I don't want to install them as I hear mixed reviews on SP2.
I have disabled the Auto Updates for future. Question: can I just delete all
these updates under Add/Remove Programs and then do a manual scan for updates
and choose what I want to really install? And... what about SP2 - do I
install or not? What are the benefits. I hear that some programs have
problems with it

PatGen wrote:
> My system got set to Auto Updates and now have a bunch of updates listed
> under Add/Remove Programs, they all start with KB and then SP2 ...

These are new updates for your XP SP1 system and should not be removed.
They will show "SP2" in the name because that is how MS identifies
fixes/updates that were released after the prior service pack.

> .... I have disabled the Auto Updates for future.

Not a good idea unless you are meticulous about downloading/installing all
issued Critical/Security updates as they are released. You can disable the
installation of SP2 (for a while, at least) but you still need to keep your
system current with other important updates.

> Question: can I just delete all these updates under Add/Remove Programs
> and then do a
> manual scan for updates and choose what I want to really install?

Yes, but you will get a very long list similar to what you have now. I'd
recommend you just leave those updates as they are.

> what about SP2 - do I install or not? What are the benefits. I hear that
> some programs have problems with it

Yes, there are some programs that have problems after installing SP2. But
in general you are going to be much (!!) better off with SP2 installed.
Don't base your decision solely on what you read in newsgroups since
millions of folks with no problems at all won't be posting there. <G> There
are several good places to read about SP2. And this site
(http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/xpsp2.htm) has a checklist you can use to
prepare you and your system plus info/links on other known issues.

--

....Sky

================

Thank you very much for the info. So being the updates have been downloaded
into my system, I will click on the notice I get to install them. I had
always been in the habit of checking Windows Update once a month and always
installed the "critical updates" but never installed the XP updates. If I go
back to "Auto Updates", does that mean it downloads just the "critical" or
does it download ALL updates pertaining to XP? I appreciate your feedback.

"Sky King" wrote:

> PatGen wrote:
> > My system got set to Auto Updates and now have a bunch of updates listed
> > under Add/Remove Programs, they all start with KB and then SP2 ...
>
> These are new updates for your XP SP1 system and should not be removed.
> They will show "SP2" in the name because that is how MS identifies
> fixes/updates that were released after the prior service pack.
>
> > .... I have disabled the Auto Updates for future.
>
> Not a good idea unless you are meticulous about downloading/installing all
> issued Critical/Security updates as they are released. You can disable the
> installation of SP2 (for a while, at least) but you still need to keep your
> system current with other important updates.
>
> > Question: can I just delete all these updates under Add/Remove Programs
> > and then do a
> > manual scan for updates and choose what I want to really install?
>
> Yes, but you will get a very long list similar to what you have now. I'd
> recommend you just leave those updates as they are.
>
> > what about SP2 - do I install or not? What are the benefits. I hear that
> > some programs have problems with it
>
> Yes, there are some programs that have problems after installing SP2. But
> in general you are going to be much (!!) better off with SP2 installed.
> Don't base your decision solely on what you read in newsgroups since
> millions of folks with no problems at all won't be posting there. <G> There
> are several good places to read about SP2. And this site
> (http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/xpsp2.htm) has a checklist you can use to
> prepare you and your system plus info/links on other known issues.
>
> --
>
> ....Sky
>
> ================
>
>

PatGen wrote:

> ....... If I go back to "Auto Updates", does that mean it downloads
> just the "critical" or does it download ALL updates pertaining to XP?

Hi;

AU downloads only what MS calls "High Priority" updates. Here is how MS
defines that on the WU page:

"Critical updates, security updates, service packs, and update rollups that
should be installed as soon as they become available and before you install
any other updates. "


--

....Sky

================