How to turn off and on the Windows Update in Windows 7.

1.   Open Windows Update by clicking the Start button , clicking All Programs, and then clicking Windows Update.

2.   You can manually look up for any new updates by clicking the Check for updates button under the heading Check for updates for your computer from this window. In order to modify the Windows update option click the Change settings in the left pane.

3.  Here you may change the way Windows 7 download and install updates. Configurable option include Important Updates , Recommended updates , Who can install updates and Featured update notifications .

Important updates provide significant benefits, such as improved security and reliability. Recommended updates can address non-critical problems and help enhance your computing experience. Optional updates are not downloaded or installed automatically.

4.  Important Updates can be configured in four ways:

• Install updates automatically (recommended)
• Download updates but let me choose whether to install them
• Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them
• Never check for updates (not recommended)

If you choose Install updates automatically , there are additional options to schedule the update at a convenient time.

or if Never check for updates is selected:

In order to have the same behavor for Recommended updates also tick the Receive recommended updates the same way you receive important updates check box.

You can also choose if you want to allow anyone to install updates by selecting the Allow standard users to install updates check box.

Choose the other options appropriately and click OK to save the settings. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

A configured Windows Update window will look like this: