Windows XP Professional allows you to turn off the auto reboot feature used by Automatic Updates (this will not work in the Home edition). Many times after you do an update that requires a reboot Windows will reboot the computer for you without you knowing it if you aren’t sitting in front of it. This is not a good thing to do if you have something running on your computer that you have not saved or cannot be closed.
To change this setting you can use the Windows Group Policy Editor by following these instructions:
1. Click Start, Run, type gpedit.msc, then click Ok.
2. Navigate to the Computer Configuration\Administrative Template\Windows Components\Windows Update folder.
3. Double click No auto-restart for scheduled Automatic Updates installations. In the dialog box that appears, select Enabled, and then click Ok.
4. Close the Group Policy Editor window. That’s it!
Now you won’t have to worry about Windows rebooting your computer for you and losing your data.
Related Tips:
Configuring Automatic Updates in Windows XP
Windows Group Policy Editor Overview
Windows Updates Download But Won't Install
Windows Update vs. Microsoft Update
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