Microsoft disabled 'turn off automatic updates in XP?

martyp

Hi all,

This afternoon I noticed an alert for Automatic updates which I had turned off before. I installed the few updates that I'd got since I last did it manually but the option to turn off automatic updates is now greyed out?
I tried reg hack fixes but have resorted to disabling the service as I like to update when I want to as opposed to getting the nagging icon on the task bar...

It's XP SP3 by the way, has anyone else had this? I checked in GP on the machine too and couldn't disable the updates in there?

Browntoa

ok on mine, still have the options

martyp

It seems to have happened after Explorer crashed when having problems with a particular file which I was trying to open. I noticed other things have changed like it switched simple file sharing off and I can't move files to a network drive for some reason...
I've tried chkdsk /r and SFC but still not working, not sure what's happened.

busenbust

as I like to update when I want to as opposed to getting the nagging icon on the task bar...

I never let Microsoft rule the roost either and install updates at my discretion; anyhow, have you tried a system restore to roll back to a previous good working state?

busenbust

It seems to have happened after Explorer crashed when having problems with a particular file which I was trying to open. I noticed other things have changed like it switched simple file sharing off and I can't move files to a network drive for some reason...

That does concern me; that there are other issues associated with a possible download hijacking. Probably nothing to worry about but make sure virus/malware definitions are up-to-date. Perhaps run a quick scan with Malwarebytes?

Browntoa

agree, try malwarebytes and post the log file , virus infections often turn off windows updates etc