Updates appear to download in two formats

I have a Windows XP Operating System (Home Edition) with Service Pack 2
installed. My ISP is MSN Dial-Up service. When I purchased my computer, my
system was set-up to receive Microsoft critical updates for Windows XP. Up
until a few months ago, these critical updates were always downloaded when I
turned off my computer; the computer stayed on until the downloads were
installed and then the computer shut down or turned off. Recently, however,
the downloads in this format are much less frequent, but I noticed that I now
have a gold shield icon with a black explanation mark in the center on
display with other icons in the tray. This shield is located in the tray on
the right hand side of my screen and it pops up with greater frequency. When
I scroll my curser over the shield it says that updates are now ready for
your computer. Click now to install. Since I have owned Windows XP, my
downloads have always come when I am ready to shut down. The gold shield that
now pops up in my tray is new and I have not seen this before. Does anyone
know what is being downloaded into my computer from the gold shield? Has
Microsoft changed the way it provides critical updates to XP users and is
this their new format for downloading critical updates? I have tried to
ignore the updates provided by the shield, but it automatically downloads on
occasion.When this happens, the gold shield disappears from the tray. Do I
need to be concerned or should I download these updates?
Thank you.

Did you just recently install SP2?

The behavior you describe is pretty much default behavior.

How to configure and use Automatic Updates in WinXP:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306525

How to schedule automatic updates in WinXP, Win2K and Win2K03
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/327838
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
AumHa VSOP & Admin; DTS-L.org

Swampgator wrote:
> I have a Windows XP Operating System (Home Edition) with Service Pack 2
> installed. My ISP is MSN Dial-Up service. When I purchased my computer, my
> system was set-up to receive Microsoft critical updates for Windows XP. Up
> until a few months ago, these critical updates were always downloaded when
> I
> turned off my computer; the computer stayed on until the downloads were
> installed and then the computer shut down or turned off. Recently,
> however,
> the downloads in this format are much less frequent, but I noticed that I
> now have a gold shield icon with a black explanation mark in the center on
> display with other icons in the tray. This shield is located in the tray
> on
> the right hand side of my screen and it pops up with greater frequency.
> When
> I scroll my curser over the shield it says that updates are now ready for
> your computer. Click now to install. Since I have owned Windows XP, my
> downloads have always come when I am ready to shut down. The gold shield
> that now pops up in my tray is new and I have not seen this before. Does
> anyone know what is being downloaded into my computer from the gold
> shield?
> Has Microsoft changed the way it provides critical updates to XP users and
> is this their new format for downloading critical updates? I have tried to
> ignore the updates provided by the shield, but it automatically downloads
> on
> occasion.When this happens, the gold shield disappears from the tray. Do I
> need to be concerned or should I download these updates?
> Thank you.

SP 2 came installed on my computer the day I purchased it. Critical downloads
occurred frequently when Iwould shut down my computer. Although I do receive
an occasional download when I turn off the computer, more downloads now want
to occur through the gold shield. I certainly will review the links that you
provided, but I have not heard of downloads occuring in this manner. I
thought all downloads from Microsoft occurred when the computer is turned
off. I am, of course, assuming that the downloads from the gold shield are
from Microsoft.

A few months back, I installed Print Shop (Version 21) and a few things
changed on my computer. The changes included a password screen before I can
use my computer. When I first purchased my computer, I never encountered a
password screen. The XP screens for critical downloads also changed, but
functionality of the computer remains unchanged. Should I delete the Print
Shop from my computer?

Thanks for the information and your help.

"PA Bear" wrote:

> Did you just recently install SP2?
>
> The behavior you describe is pretty much default behavior.
>
> How to configure and use Automatic Updates in WinXP:
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306525
>
> How to schedule automatic updates in WinXP, Win2K and Win2K03
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/327838
> --
> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
> MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
> AumHa VSOP & Admin; DTS-L.org

I checked Systems Application and automatic downloads was checked; however,I
changed the download time to PM in order to make sure that my computer is on.
I then clicked apply. I also checked Security from the Control Panel and the
information was the same. Is it possible that one of Microsoft's downloads
has changed the format for the downloads?
-or-
I also checked the Windows Update site and had it scan my computer. After
the scan, I checked the schedule automatic updates and the time for downloads
is different. I tried to change the time to match what I had on my system,
but it does not change even if I check OK. There is no apply. Could this be
the reason for two downloads?
Any ideas or assistance would be very much appreciated.
Thanks again!

"PA Bear" wrote:

> Did you just recently install SP2?
>
> The behavior you describe is pretty much default behavior.
>
> How to configure and use Automatic Updates in WinXP:
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306525
>
> How to schedule automatic updates in WinXP, Win2K and Win2K03
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/327838
> --
> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
> MS MVP-Windows (IE, OE, Security, Shell/User)
> AumHa VSOP & Admin; DTS-L.org