Windows XP usually requests a reboot via a pop-up after an automatic update has been downloaded. When you choose Restart Later the dialog box will keep popping up every so often to remind you to reboot. Needless to say, this can get quite annoying and if you don’t address it, it can interfere with any work you’re doing if the timer expires before you respond.
The solution to this problem is to stop the Windows Update service until your next reboot. To do so, do the following.
- Click Start –> Run –> cmd to launch the Command Prompt.
- Type sc stop wuauserv
- The dialog box asking you to restart will disappear and it will no longer nag you until the PC is rebooted and it installs another automatic update.
Note: It is important to reboot at your convenience to make the changes take effect. The good thing is that you can do it when it’s convenient for you instead of having the pop-up nag you every so often.
