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Dani 5,664 The Queen of DaniWeb

I found this in a few different places around the 'net - hopefully it's helpful:

Disable Automatic Windows Update

Windows XP is configured out of the box to routinely scan for and download updates to Windows XP automatically. While this can be somewhat convenient for those with very fast Internet connections and those who would otherwise forget to check for updates, it can be a nuisance for the rest of us, who are still using 56k or, even worse 33k modem connections.

  • Open the System icon in Control Panel (or right-click My Computer and select Properties), and choose the Automatic Updating tab.
  • To check for updates manually, open Internet Explorer and select Windows Update from the Tools menu.
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Dani AI

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Good starter, . A few extra points that help when you want tighter control than the basic Control Panel setting, plus important cautions.

If you need to stop background checks and downloads completely, disable the Automatic Updates service rather than relying only on the UI setting. Run the Services snap-in and set the Automatic Updates service to Disabled (stop it first, then change the startup type). On XP Pro you can also use the Group Policy editor (gpedit.msc) under the Windows Update/Automatic Updates policy to force notify-only or disable behavior for the machine or a whole domain.

If avoiding large downloads on a slow or metered link is the goal, consider these workflow options instead of a blanket disable: keep updates set to notify-only so you approve each download; download needed patches from Microsoft Update Catalog on a faster connection and transfer them; or schedule installs for off-peak times. For managed environments, WSUS or a local update repository lets you approve and stage updates centrally.

Troubleshooting tips: if Automatic Updates keeps turning back on, check for OEM update utilities, domain GPOs, scheduled tasks, or malware that may change settings. If the Update UI stops working after changing services, re-enable the service temporarily to troubleshoot. Keep a manual habit of periodically checking for and applying critical fixes if automatic delivery is off.

Security note: disabling updates increases risk. Windows XP reached end of support on April 8, 2014, so it no longer receives security patches. Where possible, move to a supported OS. If you must keep XP, isolate the machine from sensitive activity, limit network exposure, and apply any available critical fixes manually.

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