AFAIK SP1 did sit on automatic updates for a while as requiring it's tickbox to be checked, but I believe after a couple of months it then went to automatic install, as Microsoft do do with certain updates.

Doing a quick google suggests that SPs are recommended not critical, so they will update if you have 'include recommended updates' set in automatic updates. Although, I'm sure that's the default, so I not sure why it doesn't do it by default in my case.

Edited by deleted (Wed 28-Sep-11 23:43:51)

I might test with machine and just leave it running, see what happens. After initial installation it does immediately start downloading updates but whether it only does 1 phase and then revers to the normal routine, I am not quite sure. The trouble is when I am setting up Windows I cba pratting about waiting for it to automatically update itsself so I manually run updates till it is done. Luckily it's a lot more efficient in Windows 7 than it is on XP, especially with SP1 slipstreamed.

Though what I do find funny is so many people report problems with Windows Update and yet even when I try and make it mess up I never succeed, I do wonder what people do with their computers at times - most likely not reading messages properly and I wouldn't put it past 3rd party antivirus and other software causing many problems. I mean, even pulling the power cord in the middle of an update usually doesn't stop it in it's tracks.

Edited by Pipexer (Thu 29-Sep-11 00:01:37)

I've noticed people simply click 'cancel' on everything that gets in the way of facebook, which generally causes problems.

I did try connecting my phone - but that requires drivers and it refused to load them and initialise! But it does now!

No suitable memory sticks around - in desperation I could have cleared a couple or an SD card but time is/was critical for me.

There may well have been more problems hiding but the SP update could have sorted those too - i did remember seeing some other files of zero size.