Ok, I use aol (don't laugh) and windows xp. on the bottom right hand side of my screen right next to the time, there's what looks like the windows logo over a globe. When I put my mouse over it is says downloading updates and says how much you've downloaded. It's been there for about a week now and is only at 44%, goes up about a percentage point for every hour or two I'm on-line. It won't let me close it out no matter how many times I left or right click on it. It's bogging down my computer. Anyone know how to get rid of it?
This is the automated Windows Update program. Windows Update connects to windowsupdate.com; it's a perfectly normal part of your computer, and it downloads for you various security patches that are released by Microsoft whenever a new vulnerability is discovered and documented. You can disable it by using the Control Panel (if I am not mistaken), or try right clicking on the system tray icon (by the clock) and clicking "Open" and looking for a "Disable" option (disable may even be found right in the context menu when you right click the icon). Hope this helps! I'd recommend letting your computer stay online for a day to download most of the critical updates; they are usually pretty darn important. If you download the latest service pack, many updates are incorporated into the service pack, so you don't have to download all of them.
First, I don't know shit so you should probably ignore this post To me it sounds like your windows xp is set-up to update automatically. I'm on xp too but mine doesn't do that. I have to choose to update. You should have a "windows update" icon in you start menu somewhere. I'd click on that and mess around in the settings for awhile. Check your startup folder too, is it in there as well? Or, what happens when you right-click the icon by the clock?? Or...now really this is my best idea yet...try typing in the words "go away" and see if that does anything. Ok, I'm out of ideas now.
That's the thing. I can't disable it no matter what I do. I mean, if I could disable it, I'd have no problem letting it run. But the fact that those bastards are putting something on my computer that I can't stop is what twerks me.
Have you tried...start menu/control panel/system/automatic updates...then uncheck the box? That's how I did it on mine. If that doesn't work I don't know. Unless it needs to finish what it's doing first!! Hope it works out.
If Valis' suggestion doesn't work, it MAY actually be a trojan horse ... I'd get out my VirusScan and do a check were I you.
fuck Windows updates. word is that the most recent one has some security holes, so you might want to turn it off.
SP2 isn't ready for the general public yet. When it does get released, it will be for Business computers. (According to Microsucks) Do the Start menu/settings thing. Turn off Auto-Update, and do a restart on your computer. That should do it.
XPSP2 is out...and about to be on WU ....so its a good idea to turn off your WU if you dont want to get hit with XPSuxP2
