Reader "Katzma" wrote from Australia to ask:
re the new Microsoft Updates: Can you tell me if this will still allow me to update in the same way as I have done with Windows Update, ie by going to the website each time and initiating the update myself, having set "updates" to "notify only"? Or will it
become "automatically update" from the first time on? I would like to retain choice of which updates I do, and when. Thanks for your help.
I wasn’t sure what he was talking about, at first, so I asked for some more information:
I hope the same process continues. I prefer the "download and tell me" option. It still lets me choose which to install.
However, I don’t know if Microsoft is going to change the process. What have you read implying that the options are going away?
Katzma wrote back to say
Thank you for such a very prompt response.
When I go to Windows Update site, there is a link at right under "News" which says "Upgrade to Microsoft Update. Automatically receive updates for Windows, Office and more"
I prefer the "notify only" setting for updates, and my paranoia kicks in at that word "automatically". I’m in favour of being able to update all my Windows programs at one site, but not at the loss of losing what little control I still have over my system… fighting words for an old gal, but I’ll kick while I still can
. If I was sure that a change to MS Update could be reversed if it turned out not to suit my preferences, I wouldn’t mind so much, but I have real trust issues with Microsoft. I was hoping you might have a definitive answer for me. Sorry if my original question wasn’t altogether clear about that.
By the way, I did read recently, that even the option to "download and ask to install when ready" actually allows Microsoft more freedom to surreptitiously make additional small installations/changes without asking first. Have you heard anything like this? Unfortunately I didn’t keep a note of where I saw that, but if I come across anything like it again, I’ll let you know.
With best wishes,
katzma
Now I know what he was asking about… the "new" Microsoft Updates are the ones that many people switched to several years ago. Microsoft Updates replaces Windows Updates and has a big advantage — it updates Microsoft Office as well as updating Windows. It also handles some other Microsoft programs. Otherwise, if you use Windows Updates, you have to do separate steps to update the other programs.
Here’s what my Control Panel > Security Center > Automatic Updates are set to:
Katzma wrote back to say:
I use the third option, “notify only” — as I’ve marked by circling on the screenshot you provided.
So, I’ll change and use the Microsoft Updates feature… and thank you again for your advice.
Best wishes,
katzma
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