Hi all,

Windows 8 Release Preview doesn't allow me the choice of switching the automatic updates off At the end of installation, unlike its counterpart, consumer preview.

Turning off the auto updates was suggested by MS as Windows 8 is disabling my Wireless Network adapter after every install.

Have you attempted to open Windows Update and set it from there?

I have mine switched off, but not entirely. Mine's set to notify me when updates are available, I normally install them at a time when I don't need the computer, such as dinnertime.

Cat

minn, I assume this is where you are checking:

Attachment 773

The drop down list is set to Check but let me choose.

Attachment 774

I'm not on W8 right now, so I can't personally verity this, but I'd assume that you could just run
"Services.msc", scroll down the list of services to Windows Update and STOP it, then set it to Disabled.

That's how I turn off things I don't want running.

Just a thought.
TM

TM has a good suggestion there, normally I disable apps via CCleaner. But Windows Update isn't on that list. The "Services.msc" is a more in-depth list of items than what 3rd party apps offers & I do use it for some things. That list also allows for enabling of services disabled by default.

But if you choose that option, then you won't get notified of new updates at all. Make sure that is what you want to do. This is still a beta OS, & drivers are continually being added.

Cat

But remember...... the updates to a Beta OS are Beta's too, so they may do more harm than good.
So update at your own peril. Several people have already reported, that after a W8 update, something quit working that HAD been working ok.

I'd definitely do a backup before accepting any update from Microshaft.

Hopefully, by the time W8 is formally released, I'll have a complete list of all the 'Services' that the average home PC user can just disable (or place in Manual mode).

Cheers Mates!
TechnoMage

Another point that TM brings in to the picture, those who does Beta testing of Windows OS's must backup more frequently. Like twice as often as one would with a stable OS.

This goes along with the additional maintenance that's required. Beta OS's, in general, requires more maintenance than stable releases. Not that the user will necessarily encounter more problems, but the tester must be prepared for when issues do occur. Keeping as current of an image as possible goes along with this.

But some maintenance, such as defrag, is done on a schedule, & one doesn't have to stay on top of this. However, keeping the OS scanned for viruses/malware often is a must, as these OS's doesn't have all of the patches that Win 7/Vista/XP does. This needs to be done often, a Full scan at least twice per week (w/WD or your choice of security software). Plus optionally, either a Full scan with an app like MBAM or an online scanner, such as the ESET Online Scanner.

Like backups, there's also no such thing as "too many" security scans. These can be done at the time of your choosing, like while out running errands or whatever. Better to scan & be clean, than not to & get bit.

Cat

I do not backup any more often (full back ups) as I also create a new Images of Win 7 when I make changes. I follow this same practice with Win 8 RP. I make a change to the OS, I create a new Image. It's that simple.

I am not talking data backups here, but Images of the OS partition. My data is backed up separately and because it resides on a separate partition, it is not affected by changes to the OS.

Security scans?

The really good AV programs, like AVG 2012 FREE, can be set to update and scan EVERY DAY.
AVG will run a scan in the background, so quietly that I seldom even realize it's working.
Malware Bytes will do it too, but only if you buy the program. It's inexpensive though, so no big deal.
But it's not quite so unobtrusive, as it opens a window on your desktop when it starts a scan, that must be minimized.
No big deal.... It's good to know it's working.

Reminder:
Spybot Search & Destroy, is, in my opinion the BEST Anti-Adware/Spyware program available at any price, and it's still FREE. But it does not run automatically to update or scan. You do have to do that manually.
They post their updates every Wednesday, so that's a pretty good day to, Update, Immunize and Scan.
Techie types love it for it's ability to block malware and it's ability to remove BHO's. The operation of Spybot S&D is just specific enough that I've written up a full page of Operating Instructions, for my customers. It's a one, two, three operation. 1. Get updates, 2. Run the Immunization app, 3. Run the scan.
Likewise, the Setup of the program, for best operation, requires specific steps. I've written up that process and put it on my web page, for easy download.

Or you can just sit back and do nothing....like most of the PC users in the world. The choice is yours.

Cheers Mate!
TechnoMage