How to disable Windows Automatic Update (idea)

Thankfully, Microsoft have made it much easier to disable Automatic Updates on a computer running Windows XP. Follow these simple steps, and you shall no longer be nagged to Do The Right Thing.

1. Log in under a Computer Administrator account.
2. Open the Control Panel.
3. Open the System applet.*
4. Select the 'Automatic Updates' tab.
5. Under 'Notification Settings', select "Turn off automatic updating. I want to update my computer manually."
6. Click OK.

Windows Update will no longer pester you to update your computer. It is, of course, a very good idea to ensure you do update regularly, in order to avoid the nasty little exploits that worm authors love.

* Alternatively, right-click upon My Computer and select Properties. Or, if you're feeling adventurous, do as wertperch suggests, and press your Windows key+Pause/Break.