Unalterable Microsoft Update Settings

[risingTide]

Greetings.

I recently inherited a laptop (Windows XP SP2) from a friend and was trying to change the Microsoft Update settings so that it only downloads (and not installs) the updates. However, whenever I try to change these settings I am unable to because they are grayed out. The firewall settings are also unable to be altered. I don't know why this is because I'm logged in as the only account (obviously an admin) and have never had this problem before.

How can I change these security settings and change them from being all grayed out?

Many thanks!

 

[mflynn]

Do This!

Download Dial-A-Fix (DAF)
http://wiki.djlizard.net/Dial-a-fix#...C_and_articles
http://djlizard.net.nyud.net:8080/software/Dial-a-fix-v0.60.0.24.zip

Have XP CD available in case DAF needs a file.

Check all boxes on the screen (clear any restrictions if it shows any)
Then click GO!

When the entire page is finished click the HammerHead at bottom to go to the second DAF page.

Here 1 at a time do the below

Reinstall BITS
Reinstall Windows Firewall
Repair Permissions
Reset networking
Watch for any File not found or other errors and make note as this may lead to the fix!

Reboot retest!

Mike

 

[risingTide]

Aw snap!

DAF did the trick. I had one restriction and I cleared it. Then I clicked all the boxes and ran that portion. Then I just ran the Reinstall Windows Firewall and checked if the settings were grayed out...and they weren't!!

I rebooted and all is fine now.

Many thanks! I'll keep this tool in mind as well.

 

[mflynn]

Fantastical!

Mike