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How to disable automatic reboots with Windows XP SP2
Windows has this way of not just telling you when it's a good idea to reboot your computer, but nagging you incessantly until you apply. These little messages pop up after installing some software, and quite often after installing Windows Updates, especially if you're running Windows XP.Last year, we gave you some tips on disabling or at least delaying the nag message. But if you're looking for a slightly more user friendly option, check out Auto Reboot Remover.
This little application does two things, and it does them well. Run it once, and select Disable Auto Reboot, and say goodbye to your warning messages. Run it again, and you can reenable the message. The program is an executable file, no installation required.
[via Life Rocks and gHacks]
Comments
5
Subscribe to commentsalexFeb 14th 2008 6:47AM
I just came home from work and to my horror found that wndows rebooted for me (after automatically installing today upate) without saving any of my previous nights work. Now that's user friendly! With crap like this no wonder apples OS is gaining popularity. Who ever thought of this timed auto restart feature is borderline retarded when it comes to user friendly features! (CAN YOU TELL I'M PISSED RIGHT NOW?)
PeterNov 28th 2007 1:40PM
Delaying needed reboots is a really bad idea. The typical reason it needs to reboot, especially with Windows Updates, is that there are files in use that it cannot replace. The reason this is a problem is that some files have been replaced and some haven't. A situation like that is just asking for trouble since you will now have different versions of files that should all be the same.
A better solution is to install things at a time that is convenient to reboot.
IMHONov 28th 2007 2:24PM
@Peter,
I'll agree with you that rebooting after an install is a good idea. But Windows Update reboots by itself without consideration of whether there are any other critical tasks going on (drive back up, long download, etc.) and without any way to postpone the reboot until the task is finished. So long to whatever you were doing. I for one am glad for this workaround.
JamesNov 29th 2007 11:16AM
Under what circumstances did this happen to you? I've never had Windows tell me "Good night, I'm rebooting now" without asking first, and I've been running XP on at least 3 computers for 2-4 years now. The nag box is annoying, but eventually I just drag it down so 2 pixels of the title bar are visible at the bottom of the screen -- it doesn't cause trouble there...
IMHONov 29th 2007 5:58PM
@ James (if you come back to this - I don't see a reply button on this blogsite. I'd be interested in knowing where you found it. Thanks)
I don't have the problem frequently, and only when I've left the computer on overnight to complete a download or backup. I come back in the morning and the machine is freshly rebooted without having finished the process. It took me a while to figure out what was going on. Then it happened while I was working one night. Windows update starts (I'm set up for automatic updates - that's probably the biggest problem) and when it's finished it tells me I need to reboot and starts a count down timer. No way to cancel or postpone. Best I can do is make sure any files are saved and programs are shutdown when the timer gets to 0. I assumed that, as stupid as this may be, it is functioning as designed. If that's not the case, I'd love to know it.