How do I delete a Windows update in Vista?

GSDog · 23 Aug 2007 at 11:00

Basically, stupid Windows update keeps wanting to "update" my GFX driver for my 7900GS graphics card, but the GFX driver it is trying to install is actually much older than my current driver, so obviously I don't want to install it.
The problem is, as soon as I enable automatic updates, it installs it without warning and the next thing I know my screen is flashing black and I need to restart my PC, and rollback the driver to the previous version - it is very frustrating...

So at the moment I have automatic updates disabled, and I have to manually untick the GFX driver update everytime I install new updates for Vista, which is very annoying and probably unsafe...

I just checked for updates and there are 16 that need installing, some are critical security updates, so I would like automatic updates enabled, but how the hell do I tell Windows Update that I don't want to install this older Nvidia driver?

I hope you understand what I mean.
Thanks in advance.

SpinningMonkey · 23 Aug 2007 at 11:12

Hey Zildjian, im afriad you cant tell Windows Update itself to stop installing an Individual update. Though you can configure Windows Update to download all the update`s that you need and then it will be up to you when you install them.

To do this simply type Windows Update in the start menu search box, then press enter. Once the Windows Update box appears, on the left hand side click on change settings. It`s most likely the current setting its on is "Install updates automatically", so just change this to "Download updates but let me choose weather to install them". Then click Ok.

Hope that helps.

GSDog · 23 Aug 2007 at 12:48

SpinningMonkey said:
Hey Zildjian, im afriad you cant tell Windows Update itself to stop installing an Individual update. Though you can configure Windows Update to download all the update`s that you need and then it will be up to you when you install them.

To do this simply type Windows Update in the start menu search box, then press enter. Once the Windows Update box appears, on the left hand side click on change settings. It`s most likely the current setting its on is "Install updates automatically", so just change this to "Download updates but let me choose weather to install them". Then click Ok.

Hope that helps.

Thanks for you're help, I have changed the settings now to "Install updates automatically" which should be much easier.

Thanks again.

allosunshine · 23 Aug 2007 at 13:03

If the update is listed you can right click and HIDE the update and it wont show or install anymore.

iMacMart · 23 Aug 2007 at 14:10

allosunshine said:
If the update is listed you can right click and HIDE the update and it wont show or install anymore.

Exactly what I do if I see an update I don't want to see or install

SpinningMonkey · 23 Aug 2007 at 15:57

Zildjian said:
Thanks for you're help, I have changed the settings now to "Install updates automatically" which should be much easier.

Thanks again.

Hey Zildjian, make sure that you check "Download updates but let me choose weather to install them".

Anyway, sorry i didn`t relise you could just hide the update`s that you didnt want to install.

So do what allosunshine said, right click on the update that you dont want and select hide.

Thanks allosunshine and tweakinfreak.

marc2003 · 23 Aug 2007 at 17:00

right click computer, properties, click advanced settings, then goto the hardware tab. now click "windows update driver settings" -and change to never check. this will stop windows trying to download drivers for your hardware. i recently got burned by this. left it on by mistake, it downloaded some crap audigy drivers even though i had it setup/configured how i wanted. the windowsupdate drivers caused a BSOD. nice one ms/creative :rolleyes:

Tute · 23 Aug 2007 at 18:20

Actually I find the best setting is "Notify me but don't download/install" - that way it'll tell you there are new updates but won't touch the internet connection.

You can install them whenever you like then.

GSDog · 24 Aug 2007 at 10:15

Thanks for all you're help. I have now taken mark2003's advice and stopped windows from downloading drivers for my devices, unless I chose it to - and also hidden that annoying Nvidia update and have now set it to download updates, but ask me before installing.

Thanks again.