Do you do Windows Update?

357mag · May 11, 2025

I'm curious if you guys let Windows update itself. I know when that happens you will get new security fixes and updated virus definitions, but I wonder what other garbage Microsoft may be putting on your computer.

I would not want apps to be installed, or re-installed after I have removed them.

antspants · May 11, 2025

357mag said:
I would not want apps to be installed, or re-installed after I have removed them.

Enable or Disable Automatically Update Apps in Microsoft Store in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable the automatic download and install of available app updates in the Microsoft Store for all users in Windows 10 and Windows 11. Microsoft redesigned the Microsoft Store app from the ground up in Windows 11, making space for more content...

www.elevenforum.com

357mag said:
but I wonder what other garbage Microsoft may be putting on your computer

lol OK

Stop uptates and take control.

I use WAU Manager to take over from Windows Update, it’s why I am on a lower build than some others. I have frozen updates to pre 24H2. (The images below are from when I tested 24H2. I have since gotten rid of it)
It’s lightweight unobtrusive and simple to use.

To set up; After checking the small box at the top to allow WAU Manager to take over, checking the “Normal” option below it (there are other settings if you want them) Click on “Save and Apply”
You can now click “Update Windows Now” and it will show you the available updates before proceeding.
You can choose not to proceed or select updates to install.
It can also uninstall updates.

There are also other methods.

Levitate11 · May 11, 2025

I have it set to notify me when updates are available. You need to do that in group policy. There's probably a reg hack too.

But the problem is that it will only notify you when you don't manually check updates. If you go in and "check updates", it will (apparently) always immediately download and install everything that's available without asking.

It was much better back in the Win 7 style days: Give me a list of what's available when I check updates. I decide what to download, install, or not. FWIW, you can still find copies of Windows. Sadly, they don't seem to support that functionality anymore.

garlin · May 11, 2025

357mag said:
I'm curious if you guys let Windows update itself. I know when that happens you will get new security fixes and updated virus definitions, but I wonder what other garbage Microsoft may be putting on your computer.

I would not want apps to be installed, or re-installed after I have removed them.

Windows Updates doesn't just do "Windows Updates"...

- Scans and checks for missing drivers, or driver updates (configurable by GPO)

- Downloads new versions of Store Apps (configurable by GPO)

- Downloads a new Defender platform every month

- Downloads new Defender definitions (signatures) at least once a day

- Downloads the Certificate Revocation List (CRL) every week (can be replaced by a scheduled task)

- Can download new versions of Office (if enabled)

- and oh those Monthly or Out-of-Band (emergency) updates too...

Marcus Vinicus · May 11, 2025

I allow most Windows Updates except I don't let MS to update drivers (stopped a via Group Policy). Have had too many problems with drivers being updated behind my back.

krism · May 11, 2025

I use WuMgr. Been using it for years. Update when I want to - ie after I have imaged my system!

glasskuter · May 11, 2025

357mag said:
I'm curious if you guys let Windows update itself.

Yes I do, except I manage my drivers myself using my OEM updating app. I'm sure Asus has one available too. WU has been known to install outdated drivers.

Enable or Disable Include Drivers with Windows Updates in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable including drivers with Windows Updates in Windows 10 and Windows 11. Windows Update will include drivers when available in Windows 11 by default. You can enable the Do not include drivers with Windows Updates policy to not include drivers...

www.elevenforum.com

I also have my WU setting so that I do not get preview updates. I just wait until update Tuesday.

rk911 · May 11, 2025

357mag said:
I'm curious if you guys let Windows update itself. I know when that happens you will get new security fixes and updated virus definitions, but I wonder what other garbage Microsoft may be putting on your computer.

I would not want apps to be installed, or re-installed after I have removed them.

I use InControl from Gibson Research. It permits security updates but not feature updates until I want them.

GRC | InControl

InControl - Disable Windows automatic updates and upgrades

www.grc.com

TraderGary · May 11, 2025

Yes, I run Windows Update first thing every morning and I've never had a problem with Windows 11. I always have the latest security updates and the latest feature updates.

357mag · May 11, 2025

Levitate11 said:
I have it set to notify me when updates are available. You need to do that in group policy. There's probably a reg hack too.

But the problem is that it will only notify you when you don't manually check updates. If you go in and "check updates", it will (apparently) always immediately download and install everything that's available without asking.

It was much better back in the Win 7 style days: Give me a list of what's available when I check updates. I decide what to download, install, or not. FWIW, you can still find copies of Windows. Sadly, they don't seem to support that functionality anymore.

What are you referring to? Are you talking about WAU Manager? Or some setting within Windows itself?

Levitate11 · May 11, 2025

357mag said:
What are you referring to? Are you talking about WAU Manager? Or some setting within Windows itself?

You use Group Policy Editor (Win 11 Pro) and set a policy tweak. I expect that you can probably do the same in the Registry for Win 11 Home. There's probably a tutorial around here, but if you can't find it, let me know. I had a thread with a discussion about it to get me where I am (satisficed, but not really satisfied, as mentioned above).

EDIT: Found the change I made:

Group Policy Editor:

Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Windows Update\Configure Automatic updates

Enable & set to Option 2 for the scenario I described.

pseymour · May 11, 2025

Specify Target Feature Update Version in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to specify a TargetReleaseVersion version of Windows 11 you want to move to or stay on in Windows Update until it reaches end of service in Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education. Windows Update keeps Windows 11 updated by automatically downloading and...

www.elevenforum.com

cineman195 · May 11, 2025

I update every time there is an update !
My nephew, on the other hand, never updates, just re-installs fresh every six months whenever there are new versions available, like 23H1, 23H2 etc

357mag · May 12, 2025

Marcus Vinicus said:
I allow most Windows Updates except I don't let MS to update drivers (stopped a via Group Policy). Have had too many problems with drivers being updated behind my back.

You mean if I install the drivers that I downloaded from the ASUS website, and then I allow a Windows Update, I run the risk of Windows actually replacing drivers that I installed with Microsoft's drivers?

Why would they do that?

Marcus Vinicus · May 12, 2025

357mag said:
You mean if I install the drivers that I downloaded from the ASUS website, and then I allow a Windows Update, I run the risk of Windows actually replacing drivers that I installed with Microsoft's drivers?

Why would they do that?

My bad experiences were with AMD Radeon Graphics drivers and software for my RX 7900 XTX. Multiple times Windows Update (WU) would without any warning install a different driver and not update the Radeon Control Panel (aka it didn't work afterwards) leaving me having to uninstall the WU drivers via DDU and reinstall the correct drivers manually.

Sometimes, WU walks back drivers to old versions, again without any warning.

antspants · May 12, 2025

357mag said:
Why would they do that?

Because if you have agreed to allow Windows to update drivers, then your allowing Windows to do so.

If you turn off the following, you're basically saying to Windows that you have drivers under control. It's pretty simple logic.

Enable or Disable Include Drivers with Windows Updates in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable including drivers with Windows Updates in Windows 10 and Windows 11. Windows Update will include drivers when available in Windows 11 by default. You can enable the Do not include drivers with Windows Updates policy to not include drivers...

www.elevenforum.com

357mag · May 12, 2025

Got a question also about WAU Manager also. If you check the option "Search for software updates", what specifically does that mean? I don't want Windows updating Reaper, or Corel Paint Shop Pro, or any of my personal software that I have bought and installed.

Or does that mean just general Windows Updates (bug fixes, security holes etc.)

antspants · May 12, 2025

357mag said:
Or does that mean just general Windows Updates (bug fixes, security holes etc.)

Correct.

Pretty sure the images above and my post about WAU Manager is pretty clear?

Allow 1
Select “Normal”
Click Save and apply
Click Update Windows Now

Clicking "Update Windows Now" only checks for Windows updates and shows you what is available, it doesn't install Windows Updates. Not until you tell it what to or what not to install, as per the other image I showed you

Check (Tick) the Updates you want to install, Uncheck the ones you don't.
Then click "Install Checked"
If there are updates you never want to install, check those and then click on the "Hide Selected” Button
If you change your mind in the future, you can click on "Manage Hidden Updates" and then restore them to the updates options.

Any other settings available, you can investigate for yourself.

Levitate11 · May 13, 2025

antspants said:
Because if you have agreed to allow Windows to update drivers, then your allowing Windows to do so.

If you turn off the following, you're basically saying to Windows that you have drivers under control. It's pretty simple logic.

Enable or Disable Include Drivers with Windows Updates in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable including drivers with Windows Updates in Windows 10 and Windows 11. Windows Update will include drivers when available in Windows 11 by default. You can enable the Do not include drivers with Windows Updates policy to not include drivers...

www.elevenforum.com

Does this make Windows act like they're not even available? No notification of any such drivers? Or do they get reported/listed somewhere?

antspants said:
Correct.

Pretty sure the images above and my post about WAU Manager is pretty clear?

Allow 1

Select “Normal”

Click Save and apply

Click Update Windows Now

...

@antspants : Are you using WAU Manager yourself?

antspants · May 13, 2025

Levitate11 said:
Does this make Windows act like they're not even available? No notification of any such drivers? Or do they get reported/listed somewhere?

@antspants : Are you using WAU Manager yourself?

Yes

Levitate11 said:
Does this make Windows act like they're not even available? No notification of any such drivers? Or do they get reported/listed somewhere?

How would Windows know there was a driver available if you’ve told it not to check for drivers?

Do you do Windows Update?

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