Disabling Windows' Automatic Update and Restart Prompt

By default, Windows XP will scan for updates automatically, as long as you're connected to the Internet. If you would prefer to manually update Windows, or you don't want your network resources being used up by the automatic update service, it can be disabled. To disable Windows' automatic updates, take the following steps:

1. Click the Start button on your taskbar (usually located at the bottom left-hand corner of the screen)

2. From the Start menu, open the control panel

3. If not already in category view, click "switch to category view" and then locate the Performance and Maintenance icon and click it.

4. Click the System icon

5. In the System window, click the Automatic Updates tab (at the top of the window)

6. To disable automatic updates, click the circle labled "Turn off automatic updates."

7. Click the Apply button then click OK.

This will stop Windows from updating automatically. When under the Automatic Updates tab, you also have the option to download updates automatically but not install them or to receive notification when there is an update without downloading it.

NOTE: Alternatively, after completing step 2, you can simply switch the control panel to classic view and click the Automatic Updates icon and disable them from there rather than going through Performance and Maintenance and the System window first.

Disabling the Windows Update Restart Prompt (using command line)

After installing a Windows Update a nag window will open up informing you that your computer has been updated and needs to be restarted. You are given the option to restart now or restart later. If you choose restart later, the window will open again in 10 minutes once again suggesting you restart. If you don't click "restart later' within 5 minutes of the prompt appearing, Windows will automatically restart your computer.

So if you wish to continue working on your computer, you will have to click "restart later" when the restart window (which steals focus from whatever application you're currently working in) comes up 6 times per hour. This can be annoying for obvious reasons so it may be in your best interest to disable this prompt.