I have just disabled automatic installation of updates in Windows XP. The
reason why is detailed below. If there is a better place to post or send
this, please let me know.
Today I had an update applied to my machine automatically. When the update
was finished, a dialog appeared that said it needed to reboot my computer and
gave me a five minute countdown to respond. I promptly clicked “Restart
Later” and continued with my work. Some time later, the dialog reappeared;
the same request to reboot, the same five minute countdown. I clicked
“Restart Later” and the dialog disappeared again.
I left my office to talk to a coworker. When I came back, my computer was
rebooted. I assume the dialog reappeared once again and this time restarted
my system.
There are a few problems with this approach:
1) I told XP that I will restart later, so why does it keep asking me what I
want to do?
2) Even if I want to restart, I only have five minutes to catch the dialog
before it closes everything down and I lose unsaved work.
3) Timed response dialogs are not Section 508 compliant (see Subpart B,
1194.25, item b). So this dialog makes XP less accessible for those with
disabilities. The only reason I bring this up is because Microsoft typically
tries to be accessible.
One solution is to make the automatic restart configurable. Options should
include:
* Automatically reboot if needed (Recommended)
* Periodically notify me that a reboot is needed
* Only notify me once that a reboot is needed
The first option is the current behavior of the system. The second option is
the same as the first, but without the timed response. The third option is
the same as the second option, with the exception that the dialog is only
displayed once.
|
Similar Threads
Linear Mode
