Windows Tweaks (Downloading updates and files)

Some minor odd behavior from Windows XP SP2 lately. Everytime I startup, I get a Downloading Windows updates icon in the Notification Area. It doesn't seem to actually download anything and dissappears fairly quickly.

Also, when I download a file, I've stopped getting a prompt asking if I want to Open the file or Close the Dialogue box. Any quick tweaks to fix these?

 

it does download. It downloads and automatically installs.

as for the download i would not know. Look in Options in IE

 

The 2nd problem you described is fixed by changing the options for each of the file extensions you're downloading.

Open My Computer. Click Tools -> Folder Options, and click the File Types tab. Locate one of the file extensions you're downloading, highlight it, and click the Advanced button. Check the option "Confirm open after download".

You have to repeat this for each file extension.

 

thanks for teaching me somethinh new DoubleHelix

 

What problem are you having with Windows Update? Use Internet Explorer for this task.
http://support.microsoft.com/gp/wusupport

 

Thanks for the suggestions all. The 2nd problem was actually right in front of me. Somehow, the option for "Close Dialogue Box After Download" had gotten checked. When I removed it, I got the Open prompt I'm used to.

As for the Windows updates, I don't think they are actually downloading and installing automatically. The issue (and it's very minor) is that at startup, the Icon appears every time. I turn off every night, so I really don't think there are new updates once a day. In fact, I know there aren't because my other machines don't do this. Maybe there is an update that is being redownloaded and installed. I remember having that problem once using Windows 98 SE. Or maybe the icon just pops up as it is checking for updates and the slower-than-it-used-to-be startup is why I've begun noticing it. Anyway not a big issue, but curious if anyone knows definitively.

 

i get that aswell. the icon comes and disappears. I look on windows update history and it says its installed.