BleepingComputer.com: Windows Updates

I have Windows XP Home-SP2. I recently read in Karen's Powertools newsletter that it is better to disable the Automatic Download+Update function in Windows to just alert me of any new updates+I can decide which to use. Does this make sense?

I used to have my security settings for this to automatically download+install the updates. It was suggested that some of these downloads may actually be harmful, so I switched my settings yesterday just to see what might happen. I turned my computer off last night+when I turned it on this afternoon I got a security warning that my KIS 2010 was not enabled! I have no clue as to what Windows updates would have to do with KIS. I'm hoping someone here might shed some light on this?

Thank you
honu1

This post has been edited by honu1: 23 March 2010 - 06:17 PM

To be honest...it really does not matter at all how the critical updates get installed...it matters that they get installed.

I have 3 computers...one uses the auto-update feature, while two don't (I manually go to WUS). All three are as well-protected from known security vulnerabilities as can be.

I'm on each system daily and I'm retired. For users who don't spend the time on a system that I do...auto-updates is probably the best option, IMO. All those persons who claim to actually read about the update before installing it...are probably lying ...but those are the only types for whom I would suggest the technique you mentioned.

Those persons who think that SP2 gives them the same level of protection that SP3 and subsequent critical updates provide...well, that's just not realistic at all, IMO.

Louis