How to Block Microsoft?

I am so sick and tired of Microsoft taking over my computer and destroying everything I'm working on...

It doesn't matter how many times I reset the Windows update to NOT automatically install updates...they just keep over-riding the settings and invading my computer. It is NOT Microsoft's computer - it is MY computer. They have no right to take over my computer. I'm running Windows 7 64 bit. 10 to 16 Gb Ram depending on which computer and tons of hard drive space.

Classic example; I'm working on a back up system where I need to transfer data to another computer. It's a lot of work and tedious. So here I am creating an instruction file in excel, as I go, while I'm working through all the details of using a batch file to run robocopy, creating export files for bookmarks, emails, etc. All of a sudden the computer just shuts down! Sure enough, lost two hours of work because AGAIN - 'effing Microsoft automatically installed updates WHEN I HAD THE SETTING TO NOT UPDATE AUTOMATICALLY. I am absolutely at my wits end. I can't tell you how many times this has happened. I want to know how to block Microsoft from taking over my computer. Incidentally Microsoft destroyed a $2500 computer two years ago when they re-configured the way that Windows is set up resulting in an incompatibility with Intel's raid system controller. I lost a motherboard and a hard drive over that. I'm tired of Microsoft with their "forced updates".

Can anyone help me with this? I surely would appreciate it.

 

Hi Rick. Welcome to Computer Help Forums.
Turn Microsoft updates off and only turn the updates on when you want to install them.
That's what I do.

 

Dear DSTM,
Simple is usually best and your approach is probably genius. Thanks. That's exactly what I'll do.

For others on this board, I typically set Windows update to "Download...but let me decide whether to install them." Since the arrogance of Microsoft seems to allow them to periodically decide for me...I will simply turn 'em off until I'm ready to install updates. And when that time comes, I'll FIRST set a Restore point so that I can uninstall them if they give me problems. By the way, most people tell me they don't have problems with Windows Updates. In most cases these are folks that do little more than e-mail and word processing. Then I ran into a couple cases (some relatives) who were having computer problems and simply had no idea the source of the problems were Microsoft updates. They know better now.

Hopefully, turning off Microsoft windows updates will fix the problem. Thanks again DSTM.

 

All power to you allheart55. I wish I was that lucky. Microsoft has some pretty sneaky ways of changing that setting on you. First, understand that I am a VERY heavy computer user. I run more software than probably ten other people combined. However, I have not installed Office 2010 because I don't like it. So, recently when I was trying to get a look at some data that was in an Excel file from Office 2010, I noticed that Microsoft had installed an icon called a quick start Office 2010 on this computer. [This computer is my cheapo back up computer. My Dell Precision 690 finally bit the dust so I'm in the middle of a new build.] I stupidly thought I could just try that and see if I could gain access to the Excel file. Undoubtedly when Microsoft installed that "Quick start" they also changed the setting in Windows Update to run automatically. Nevermind the fact that I had set it to only download and let me decide whether to install them... Also, just in case you aren't aware of this...Microsoft occasionally does Forced Updates. They use "security" as the excuse when they do that. It amazes me how few people understand what actually goes on with Microsoft and their "updates". Thanks for your input.

 

DSTM,
on another subject...this board is awesome. As I mentioned in my reply to allheart55, I'm in the middle of a computer build. This is one I'm pretty excited about as this will be a state of the art high end computer that I'll have put together for just under $1,000. I did a lot of research before starting on this journey and I'd like share what I've learned in the process. Can you tell me a good place to share that info? Thanks.

 

Hi Rick. This Forum is the right one to discuss New Computer Builds.
http://computerhelpforums.net/forums/new-build-and-or-new-hardware.30/