Windows XP Pro x64
Default Description
Enables the download and installation of Windows updates. If this service is disabled, this computer will not be able to use the Automatic Updates feature or the Windows Update Web site.
Additional Information
Used to check up to see if there is any critical or otherwise updates available for download. After the installation of Service Pack 1 or 2, you may configure how “often” updates are checked. Using default values, Windows XP “automatically” checks for updates at 3AM, downloads the updates and asks to “install” them. I do not recommend that you disable Automatic Updates.
It is very important that if you decide to disable this service, you check the Windows Update Version 6 web site often to ensure the latest patches install properly.
Take note: Manual updates via Windows Update Version 6 web site still requires Automatic Updates, Background Intelligent Transfer Service, COM+ Event System, Cryptographic Services, and Event Log to be running. Place all in automatic if you do not wish to update manually. In addition, I recommend that you change the default time of 3AM, for the automatic checking of updates, to a time when the system is “normally” on. Otherwise, Windows Update will check upon boot which may slow down the boot process.
Default Startup Type
| OS | SP0 | SP1 | SP2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| XP Pro x64 | ? | ? | Automatic |
Service Names
Service Name (registry): wuauserv
Display Name: Automatic Updates
Display Name: Automatic Updates
Default Path and Command Line Options
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs
Log On As
Account: Local System Account
Dependencies
What service Automatic Updates needs to function properly:
- None
What other service require Automatic Updates to function properly:
- None
Windows XP
Default Description
Enables the download and installation of Windows updates. If this service is disabled, this computer will not be able to use the Automatic Updates feature or the Windows Update Web site.
Additional Information
Used to check up to see if there is any critical or otherwise updates available for download. After the installation of Service Pack 1 or 2, you may configure how “often” updates are checked. Using default values, Windows XP “automatically” checks for updates at 3AM, downloads the updates and asks to “install” them. I do not recommend that you disable Automatic Updates.
It is very important that if you decide to disable this service, you check the Windows Update Version 6 web site often to ensure the latest patches install properly.
Take note: Manual updates via Windows Update Version 6 web site still requires Automatic Updates, Background Intelligent Transfer Service, COM+ Event System, Cryptographic Services, and Event Log to be running. Place all in automatic if you do not wish to update manually. In addition, I recommend that you change the default time of 3AM, for the automatic checking of updates, to a time when the system is “normally” on. Otherwise, Windows Update will check upon boot which may slow down the boot process.
Default Startup Type
| OS | SP0 | SP1 | SP2 | SP3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| XP Home | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) |
| XP MCE 2005 | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) |
| XP Pro | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) |
| XP Tablet PC 2005 | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) | Automatic (Started) |
Service Names
Service Name (registry): wuauserv
Display Name: Automatic Updates
Display Name: Automatic Updates
Default Path and Command Line Options
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe -k netsvcs
Log On As
Account: Local System Account
Dependencies
What service Automatic Updates needs to function properly:
- None (H, M, P, T)
What other service require Automatic Updates to function properly:
- None (H, M, P, T)
Additional Reading
Windows Update Web Site: http://update.microsoft.com/windowsupdate/v6/default.aspx
