Can't enable nor disable Windows Update: all grayed out

I can't disable automatic updates, its stuck on enabled...and when it
downloads, it completely screws up my system. Dell can't help.

Any advice is appreciated.

"Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that
you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For
information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the
following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
256986
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/256986
Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry"


The automatic update service could not be stopped

1. Reboot the computer.
2. Open regedit and delete the following key which contains the WU service
configuration):
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Servic es\wuauserv
3. Reboot the computer
4. Install the AutoUpdate service - run this command.

%SystemRoot%\System32\rundll32.exe setupapi,InstallHinfSection AutoUpdate
132 %SystemRoot%\inf\au.inf

Note that the line wraps in Newsreaders therefore I have made it two lines.
When you run the command, it's important that it's only one line.
Please note there is a space between AutoUpdate and 132
Also if asked for the CD, direct to the folder %windir%\servicepackfiles\i386

5. Reboot the computer.
6. Check to see if you can start and stop the Automatic Update service.

"Suzette" wrote:

> I can't disable automatic updates, its stuck on enabled...and when it
> downloads, it completely screws up my system. Dell can't help.
>
> Any advice is appreciated.

In addition:
If you uninstall the update make sure you read the section titled
"Workaround for Windows shell vulnerability" under Vulnerability Details:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sec.../MS06-015.mspx


"Suzette" wrote:

> I can't disable automatic updates, its stuck on enabled...and when it
> downloads, it completely screws up my system. Dell can't help.
>
> Any advice is appreciated.