The Lemon Fool

Does anybody know how to get rid of the Updates message for Windows XP?

I have a machine that displaying a fixed program that is scheduled to start on run-up without human intervention. However the useless Windows message is there most of the time unless someone switches it off.

Perhaps it is a schendule or registry entry that needs switching off?

Regards,
ep

eepee wrote:Does anybody know how to get rid of the Updates message for Windows XP?

I have a machine that displaying a fixed program that is scheduled to start on run-up without human intervention. However the useless Windows message is there most of the time unless someone switches it off.

Perhaps it is a schendule or registry entry that needs switching off?

Regards,
ep

This might help:

https://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows ... ons-in-xp/

RC

eepee wrote:Does anybody know how to get rid of the Updates message for Windows XP?

I have a machine that displaying a fixed program that is scheduled to start on run-up without human intervention. However the useless Windows message is there most of the time unless someone switches it off.

Perhaps it is a schendule or registry entry that needs switching off?

Regards,
ep

You could I assume get rid of the problem by updating to a OS that is supported. I gather it will also be safer.

Dod

eepee wrote:Does anybody know how to get rid of the Updates message for Windows XP?

I have a machine that displaying a fixed program that is scheduled to start on run-up without human intervention....

Presumably you have a good reason for not upgrading to a newer version of Windows, perhaps that program is only compatible with XP? Whatever your reasons, there are going to be no new updates for XP in the foreseeable future so there is no point in letting it check for them.

To turn off automatic updates in XP, open Control Panel > System and choose the 'Automatic Updates' tab. Click on the third option: 'Turn off automatic updating. I want to update my computer manually' then click the Apply button.

Dod101 wrote:
You could I assume get rid of the problem by updating to a OS that is supported. I gather it will also be safer.

Dod

There can be good reasons for not updating an OS. There's probably some specialist software that won't run on later versions of Windows. I seem to remember that the computers that run behind some of the hole in the wall cash dispensers were running XP until recently, or maybe still are for all I know. I still run XP on an old machine for backup purposes. It really doesn't need a complicated (or bloated as I would prefer to call it) operating system to do that. I don't let it connect to the Internet so that's most of the security risks dealt with.

RC

My local GP's surgery still uses XP. Perhaps the OP is a doctor!

Karen

ReformedCharacter wrote:I don't let it connect to the Internet so that's most of the security risks dealt with.
RC

Most but not all, I would disconnect it from the internet but also disconnect it from any networked devices that also connect to the internet. That likely rules out use as a backup machine.

The exploits for XP are very well polished by now and an infection is likely to be all but invisible.

Just put Ubuntu linux on it and then you can stop worrying.

Lanark wrote:

ReformedCharacter wrote:I don't let it connect to the Internet so that's most of the security risks dealt with.
RC

Most but not all, I would disconnect it from the internet but also disconnect it from any networked devices that also connect to the internet. That likely rules out use as a backup machine.

The exploits for XP are very well polished by now and an infection is likely to be all but invisible.

Just put Ubuntu linux on it and then you can stop worrying.

I'm not worrying, it isn't my only backup. I think I need to be more concerned about data loss due to power surges than a PC that isn't connected to the Internet. I used to think that disk mirroring was a good idea to avoid data loss until a PSU failure destroyed both disks... And I've seen a nearby lightning strike destroy 2 disks on a machine connected to a UPS. Linux is good, I mainly use Debian now.

RC

ReformedCharacter
Many thanks for the link. I went yesterday and did the change as per the link. It seems to be working but I won't be sure till they report back.

Breelander
I didn't want to do what you suggested because I don't know whether it would still put up the message about updates, which is what is annoying. However there is a machine outside the UK (Win98 !) and it might be easier to suggest this rather than try to guide someone over the phone to tamper with the registry. I'll do that and wait till they report back to know if it works.

The machines are archive display systems - no internet - no mouse - use just a five-key keyboard. Usually donations by local businesses and can be made NOT to look like a computer at far less cost than that of the fancy pedestal displays one sees at up-market museums.

Regards,
ep

Judging by the thread, I can't imagine that this is of interest to anyone but just in case someone was reading with interest ........

I have now heard from the people in Spain, to whom I suggested the "Breelander solution".

Unfortunately it does not work - all that happens is that the "Updates ready" message changes to (I think it says) "Auto updates are switched off" and "No antivirus detected".

I do not have a machine here with which to confirm tha above.

Pity - it would have been a much simpler and safer solution to the alternative.

Regards,
ep