Is Automatic Updates Really Automatic

I have Automatic Updates set to AUTOMATIC (RECOMMENDED). It's set to scan
for updates every day at 3 PM. According to the A-U box, Updates will
automatically download and install updates if found.

That hasn't been my experience, however. If updates are found, a large box
opens saying that updates have been found and gives me the option to just
download them or "custom" load them. This requires a choice by clicking on
one of the buttons. Also, after downloading, Updates will ask if I want to
restart the computer or wait until later. This also requires a choice. (I
might also have to approve a EULA. Another choice.) If I just leave it,
Updates doesn't seem to do anything: It just sits there waiting for me to
make a decision. So, I'm wondering where the "automatic" comes in. (Maybe,
there's a timer that starts the process by itself after a few
minutes/hours???)

I apologize if this is a basic question, but it hasn't come up for me
before. I'm concerned about the Zune update that will be coming out soon.

I've pasted below the Help section on A-U that's retrieved if one clicks on
the "How Does Automatic Updates Work?"-link in the box. It didn't really
clarify anything for me since the updating process doesn't seem to work that
way IN PRACTICE. But, there it is, anyways.

Thanks!

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How does Automatic Updates work?

"You do not have to be connected to the Internet for Windows to install new
updates. But updates must be installed, not just downloaded, before they can
help protect your computer. If you use the Automatic (recommended) setting,
new updates are installed at 3 A.M. However, you can change the time or
frequency of scheduled updates to best suit your needs.

If your computer is turned off during a scheduled update, updates are
installed the next time you start your computer. You can also choose to have
Windows notify you when new updates are available, and then install them
yourself.

You might be asked to accept an End User License Agreement (EULA) before
certain updates can be installed. Other updates might require you to restart
your computer before the installation process can be completed. If you are an
administrator for your computer, you can delay the restart. Otherwise,
Windows notifies you and then restarts your computer for you so the updates
can begin to help protect your computer. It is always a good idea to save
your work frequently, and to remind other users of your computer to save
their work, especially before scheduled installation."

Always state your full Windows version (e.g., WinXP SP3; Vista SP1) when
posting to this newsgroup, please.

> ...If updates are found, a large box
> opens saying that updates have been found and gives me the option to just
> download them or "custom" load them.

Then AU must be configured to Notify Only, not Automatic; cf.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306525 (WinXP) or
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/dow...dowsvista.mspx
(Vista)

> ...Also, after downloading, Updates will ask if I want to
> restart the computer or wait until later...If I just leave it,
> Updates doesn't seem to do anything: It just sits there waiting for me to
> make a decision.

If AU is configured to Notify Only, you're also prompted to choose which of
the downloaded updates you want to install.

If you've installed an update that requires a reboot, AU will prompt you
every 10 minutes (by default) to Reboot the computer.

> I'm concerned about the Zune update that will be coming out soon.

AFAIK, the only Zune-related updates offered by AU would be security-related
updates, and then only if Microsoft Update (vs Windows Update) were your
default update source (see the section "Windows Update and Microsoft Update:
Features" here:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/u.../bb259683.aspx).
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
DTS-L http://dts-l.net/


Matthew W. I. Dunn wrote:
> I have Automatic Updates set to AUTOMATIC (RECOMMENDED). It's set to scan
> for updates every day at 3 PM. According to the A-U box, Updates will
> automatically download and install updates if found.
>
> That hasn't been my experience, however. If updates are found, a large
> box
> opens saying that updates have been found and gives me the option to just
> download them or "custom" load them. This requires a choice by clicking
> on
> one of the buttons. Also, after downloading, Updates will ask if I want
> to
> restart the computer or wait until later. This also requires a choice. (I
> might also have to approve a EULA. Another choice.) If I just leave it,
> Updates doesn't seem to do anything: It just sits there waiting for me to
> make a decision. So, I'm wondering where the "automatic" comes in.
> (Maybe,
> there's a timer that starts the process by itself after a few
> minutes/hours???)
>
> I apologize if this is a basic question, but it hasn't come up for me
> before. I'm concerned about the Zune update that will be coming out soon.
<snip>

Matthew W. I. Dunn wrote:

> I have Automatic Updates set to AUTOMATIC (RECOMMENDED). It's set to scan
> for updates every day at 3 PM.

Actually it scans for updates at regular intervals (approximately every 22
hours) and (if an update has been found and downloaded) installs them at 3pm.

> That hasn't been my experience, however. If updates are found, a large box
> opens saying that updates have been found and gives me the option to just
> download them or "custom" load them.

That's normal. However, if you leave it alone until 3pm, the updates *should*
install automatically.

Harry.

Thanks for the response.


"PA Bear [MS MVP]" wrote:

> Always state your full Windows version (e.g., WinXP SP3; Vista SP1) when
> posting to this newsgroup, please.


Sorry, I forgot. I'm using XP SP3.


>
> > ...If updates are found, a large box
> > opens saying that updates have been found and gives me the option to just
> > download them or "custom" load them.
>
> Then AU must be configured to Notify Only, not Automatic; cf.
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306525 (WinXP) or
> http://www.microsoft.com/windows/dow...dowsvista.mspx
> (Vista)
>


It's not. AUTOMATIC (RECOMMENDED) is checked in the updates panel; "Notify
Only" is not checked. Updates are set to download and install every day at 3
PM.

If I understand you correctly, then AU searches for updates, like, whenever,
and downloads them. Then, the download sits there until 3 PM (my automatic
setting) when it will just install them and restart if necessary without me
having to do anything.

I guess what might be confusing me is the pop-up balloon that appears saying
updates are ready for download and install. If I left it and didn't click on
the balloon, then I'm presuming AU would wait to automatically download and
install at my selected time.

Is that correct?

I'm using XP SP3


"Harry Johnston [MVP]" wrote:

> Matthew W. I. Dunn wrote:
>
> > I have Automatic Updates set to AUTOMATIC (RECOMMENDED). It's set to scan
> > for updates every day at 3 PM.
>
> Actually it scans for updates at regular intervals (approximately every 22
> hours) and (if an update has been found and downloaded) installs them at 3pm.
>
> > That hasn't been my experience, however. If updates are found, a large box
> > opens saying that updates have been found and gives me the option to just
> > download them or "custom" load them.
>
> That's normal. However, if you leave it alone until 3pm, the updates *should*
> install automatically.
>
> Harry.
>

Matthew W. I. Dunn wrote:

> If I understand you correctly, then AU searches for updates, like, whenever,
> and downloads them. Then, the download sits there until 3 PM (my automatic
> setting) when it will just install them and restart if necessary without me
> having to do anything.
>
> I guess what might be confusing me is the pop-up balloon that appears saying
> updates are ready for download and install. If I left it and didn't click on
> the balloon, then I'm presuming AU would wait to automatically download and
> install at my selected time.

Exactly.

Harry.