Is there a way to remove an automatically downloaded Windows Update before it gets installed?

I had auto download, then ask before installing tagged. There are some downloads of that I don't want, but the only options are to install or cancel out of the install process. No delete the downloaded (waiting) item.

Thanks
Rumbly

Isn't there a custom install option? I have mine (XP) set to ask before installing, and I always hit the custom install so I can see what's trying to update/install.

I think we're at the same place. But do you install every option? If not, do the items that are downloaded (waiting for you to choose them), disappear, or do you still see them the next time?

Mine download, wait for me to choose what I want to install, then install. What doesn't get installed stays downloaded (not installed, but ready), and there's no check or delete button. So essentially I have the unwanted updates taking up space.

And how the new carpet?

This is why I set it to always inform me only. Auto updates have a habit of always choosing the worst times to force me to install them when shutting down my computers.

Nows that you mention it, I don't know what happens to the ones I don't want to install. Usually they are all necessary, but once in awhile I might not want one, like windows live, I don't even use that so I never install that one. I don't know what you can do about finding the ones that have downloaded and are waiting for install, though. Maybe find someone smarter than I am.


Hahaha! You remembered I was getting new carpet installed? It's oatmeal, or chocolate chip cookie, whatever you want to call it. That very light beige color with darker flecks in it. However, with grandkids who come over frequently who like to use colored markers, it gets a little more color than I'd like. Thank God the markers are water soluble and not permanent in nature.

:blink: I thought you were the know-it-all! You have failed me Defron...failed :sadvaultboy:

Ha! It's the Windows Live update that I want to get rid of!


We bought our house with a white plush carpet downstairs. We have wee ones; the carpet looks more like a rainbow in spots

Well, one way to beat the devil is to just let it update/install, then go to uninstall programs and uninstall it, then use some program to delete all instances of it.


Having children/grandchildren really "colors' your world, doesn't it?

One program that ticks me off is outlook express. I have it set to not accessible in the "set program access and defaults" and have removed it in the "add/remove windows components" in the add or remove programs section of the control panel. EVERY frickin' time my computer restarts, or when I log back on, it says "Outlook express can compress blah, blah, blah, blahblahblah" grrrr! Why won't it stop?!

I tried this:

Presuming you downloaded this update through WU and not manually -

Remove WU downloads from the temporary folder:-

Stop the Automatic Updates service

Click Start, Choose Run.
In the Run box, type services.msc.
Click OK.
Right-click the Automatic Updates service.
Click Stop.
Stopping the service will take a moment.

Delete the contents of the Download folder
Click Start. Choose Run.
In the Run box, type %windir%\SoftwareDistribution
Click OK.
Open the Download folder.
Delete all contents of the Download folder.
Close the window.

Start the Automatic Updates service
Click Start. Choose Run.
In the Run box, type services.msc.
Click OK.
Right-click the Automatic Updates service.
Click Start.
Starting the service will take a moment.

By deleting the contents of the Download folder - you have removed any downloaded updates.

As to the Outlook thing...um..it's there to give you some gray hair?

edit: eh, that method above doesn't seem to work :bangcomputer:

I have enough of those, thankyouverymuch.

As to the other, hope you get it sorted.