A rant: Windows updates

[Mikeus Caesar]

So, it's about 2am. I'm a third of the way through some massive download (3GB+), going at about 230kb/s. According to the ETA, it'll be done in about 2 and a half hours. Well, i'm pretty tired, and my downloading program has an option that makes it turn off the computer when it's done. Guess it's time to hit the hay. I set my alarm clock to go off at 8am, so i can make sure the download is complete.

Next morning, my alarm goes off, i check the computer. It's on the log-on screen. Odd. Oh well, i guess the silly thing can't differentiate between 'turn off' and 'restart'. I turn it off and go back to bed. 2 hours later i wake up again, turn on the computer, and check my download. To my horror, it's not at 100%. No, far from it. It's at 54%. And what else do i see? A cheerful message from Redmond, WA: Your computer has just been updated.

I immediately put two and two together. I check the system logs, and yes. Less than half an hour after i went to sleep the previous night, Windows decided to update itself. And i'm sure you all know what that means. Constant messages asking if you want to restart, which if you don't respond to them will force your computer to restart. Naturally, i was furious. I'd wasted an entire night, and would now have to waste the next 3 hours downloading.

But then things get even better. The update had caused a few hiccups on this first boot. Cue small, second long freezes every few minutes. Okay, i can cope with this. Then it gets worse. The entire computer freezing up for a minute at a time, then a moment of lucidity for less than a second. This goes on for 3 minutes. I decide to do a restart. No harm can be done after all. I push the button. I log back on.

All of the downloads in my download list on uTorrent are gone. Including my active download. I suddenly feel as if i've been gut-punched. In panic, i open up Opera. All of my tabs are gone. All of them.

tl;dr Why must Microsoft see fit to force restarts on us after updates? I can't afford to redownload that program. We only have 20GB of bandwidth per month, and now that i've gone and downloaded (and then lost) 70% of that 3.3GB, i'll have to wait till next month, or spend the last week or so of this month not using the internet.

[Xiahou]

My advice: Turn off automatic updates. You should still do the updates, but it should be on your schedule, not when MS decides to force them on you.

[drone]

My advice: Turn off automatic updates. You should still do the updates, but it should be on your schedule, not when MS decides to force them on you.

Let them notify you when new ones are ready, but you should never let them go automatically. Some updates cause problems anyway, it's best to let a week or so pass before installing.

[Strike For The South]

Get a Mac!

[Csargo]

[LeftEyeNine]

This is your friend from Automatic Updates, Control Panel :

[Caius]

Patching Windows its like patching a black hole.

[FactionHeir]

I usually turn auto update off completely when i get a comp and after each formatting. Just check the site once a month.

[Husar]

I always have it on notify, also note that Vista lets you delay the restart message for a full four hours, unlike XP that will come up every 5 minutes or so. I'm not sure what either does if you do not click anywhere.

[Fragony]

Get a Mac!

Yes. What microsoft needs to realise is that people buy a computer because they want to use it.

[naut]

Yes. What microsoft needs to realise is that people buy a computer because they want to use it.

Too bad I couldn't use a Mac for anything useful. Games anyone. There's also the issue of price, I've always seen them as overpriced for what they actually offer.
[/Devil's Advocate]

Turn auto-updates as has been said. But I know what you mean it's so frustrating, and it always happens while your in the middle of something. It's almost as if they know when's the worst time to do an update.

[CrossLOPER]

This is your friend from Automatic Updates, Control Panel :

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Listen to this man!

Also, get a Mac if you a) like a very simplified OS that won't let you do much b) prefer somewhat classy, highly-priced, un-upgradeable hardware.

[Whacker]

Also, get a Mac if you a) like a very simplified OS that won't let you do much b) prefer somewhat classy, highly-priced, un-upgradeable hardware.

+1

Macs are overpriced, and I personally cannot stand MacOS.

[Mikeus Caesar]

Much obliged, LEN.

And as for Mac's, i agree with the general concencus in this topic - no. I like being able to upgrade my computer, and play games, and fix it when it breaks.