I have my system set to "download updates but let me choose whether to install them".

Today I went to restart my computer but saw there were updates waiting to be installed upon shut down so I went ahead and shut down letting them install even though I had not "approved" them. Then I went and looked at the installed updates of which there were ten, 8 of them security and then 2 others. I am not sure why these automatically installed. AND, there are 3 more waiting to be installed that are already checked even though I didn't check them. If 10 installed why didn't these?

I think my computer is going goofy!

I'm not looking for help, just sharing.

Thanks.

Most likely they will install the next time you shut it down. Do you have Windows 10 Home or Pro? It will depend on what your Windows 7 was. In Windows 10, they started out forcing updates to Windows 10 Home because of all the security problems with computers which weren't kept updated. But they have changed that policy, but I can't remember if it's automatic or if you have to do something.

Sometimes there are "optional" updates that are for other hardware on your computer and you can choose whether to install them or not. So it depends on what those other 2 are.

I have Windows 7 Home. The other 3 are "important" updates, not optional and do show that they will install when I shut down. Don't know why they lagged behind but really don't know why they installed themselves without asking me to "choose". No biggie this time around since they were all updates I would have installed, just need to watch them better going forward though.

I have my Windows 7 Home settings such that I tell Windows to let me choose to install updates. Having said that, there have been a few times when updates started installing upon shutdown anyway. These have been rare occurrences, but it has happened. Just thought I'd mention this so that you know you are not alone, oldbroad.

Oh, I thought you said Windows 10 had installed! My bad! I did find it odd that you would abandon your Windows 7!

I've had my Windows 7 do that too... Mostly you have to check fairly often in your updates to catch them or they will install anyway if they are security updates. I always let security updates install though.

Good to know I'm not alone!

No, not abandoning Windows 7 yet. Someday I will get Windows 10 though.

I checked for updates yesterday. I believe Tuesday is the official update day but it took me by surprise that they were there without asking. Will have to remember to check that in the future.

Thank you both!

Just an FYI,

I elected to go on the Windows 10 upgrade list and while I have received notification that my upgrade is ready and I may schedule it, I have not done so waiting for further reports on stability and so on.

Early this morning a forced Windows 7 update and reboot was sent through, which is interesting since my settings are such as to not allow that to happen. In checking my update history to find out which one was the culprit it showed that Update was attempting to force an install of Windows 10 (which failed, gladly) at the same time a number of new Windows 7 "security updates" were forced through.

Aside from hosing my Windows Update service, it also forcibly interrupted my marathon game of SWTOR last night, which is nearly unforgivable.

Either way, I've posted on the Microsoft support forums to find out why this forced update was sent through and why it attempted to trigger the Windows 10 install as well. If anyone else has had the issue I'll post what responses I get from their forum if desirable.

Although nothing was forced to download I was surprised to see 18 updates when I checked for updates this morning.

Change your settings to "Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them". This will give you more control over what is done and when.

I have Windows 7 and have always done it this way, but I was surprised one night when I shut my computer down, some updates installed. Something has changed, probably due to Win 10 being released.

Microsoft has always forced the install of updates they thought were particularly important, whether you chose "let me choose whether to install" or not. The only way you could prevent installation of updates was to disable updates and check manually.

I do have my settings on "Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them" but for some reason it does not do it. I have to go into settings and check for updates manually.. I have win8.1

All very interesting information.

Well what happens for me is an icon will appear in the system tray to tell me there is stuff to download. Not sure why it doesnt work for you.

I've always had it set up to download, but to inform me before install. So, yes, technically the updates are there just waiting for me to give the word.

This was different though and the first time I've ever been forcibly kicked off the PC.

There was no warning, just a restart in the middle of my activities. The only way I knew it was due to an update was the "...Configuring your computer while we install updates" loading screen that came up after the restart.

I'm still battling with the issue because I'm thinking some registry entry was messed up by the update. My Shut down button now continually displays the tell-tale Notification icon (exclamation mark in yellow shield) indicating the need to shut down to install updates, but there are no new updates to install.

It seems relatively obvious that this is all linked to the Windows 10 upgrade program client that's on my PC since it attempted install, without my influence, at the same time as this last update, failed and now I have the issues. We'll see what the Microsoft forum comes up with. So far the replies I've gotten have been non sequitur with the activity that occurred prior. It appears I'm not the only one who had the client attempt an unsolicited upgrade, though not all were associated with this last update.

UPDATE: Well, a Tech replied to my topic and all they addressed was the Windows 10 load issue by basically telling me to uninstall the reservation client, which would prevent me from getting the free download. Not much of a solution. I came back and told them that I wanted to keep the reservation and that they need a true-fix, not a workaround. Also found that the support information link on the Update UI for the Windows 10 upgrade leads to the Danish Microsoft Support site. LOL I let them know that little glitch as well.