how can i remove downloaded windows updates before they are installed?

Question

i wanted to get some windows updates, so i downloaded the three 'updates installer' items it states are neccsary on the site. I CANCELLED it AFTER it had downloaded them but before it INSTALLED them.
the downloads include the "windows genuine advantage validation tool" and i now want to remove all three items as i decided 'if they're nothing wrong why fix it?'

surely as they have only been downloaded (and NOT installed) i can remove them without doing a system retore?

as they are not installed they cannot be removed using "remove programs" tool, and even if they were you can only remove the installer (not the validation tool).

Please help!

theyre not in downloaded prog files. theyre in C:\WINDOWS and
C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution

no-one truly seems to get my question. oh well.
windows update reconises that the installer files have already been downloaded so you are given a new list.

besides which, it didn't give the option to uncheck the WGA thingy which is why i had to attempt through the microsoft updates site. and cusom didn't give me the option here either.

Answer 1

Go to WINDOWS UPDATE
Let it Check for updates (you may have to install the windows validation tool though) Then, when the available updates are showing, just HIDE the updates you no longer want to be concerned with. This way, you'll still recieve notices about future (maybe more important) updates. good luck :-)

Answer 2

Remove Downloaded Windows Updates

Answer 3

If this is really about not wishing to install the Windows genuine advantage tool then just turn off windows update. If WGA (to shorten it's name) has already installed itself it will have written itself to the registry and even system restore may not remove it and all that nagging (that's it's job to remind you that you don't have a legal copy of windows). You won't be allowed further security and system updates via auto update (you may be able to download some updates manually if you know where to go)which you really do need for safety's sake so best to buy a legal windows CD or consider other operating systems or older versions of Windows that don't feature WGA.

Answer 4

C:\WINDOWS\Downloaded Program Files

C:\WINDOWS\Downloaded Installations

Answer 5

simple ,instead of having automatic updates applied,change it to the option were it tells you that you have updates and which ones you want to install,its the one below automatic updates
this way is good if you have a un-genuine copy of xp as you can stop the windows genuine advantage tool from being installed,and any other updates you dont want
"warning" your security center will show a message that automatic updates are disabled,dont worry if this is picked up by other scans ,it is just the way the programs work(i.e spybot)
good luck

Answer 6

turn off automatic updates start, control panel, security centre.
select updates and turn them off,

At the bottom of your screen you usually get a message updates available, look for a gold shield on the tool bar bottom right hand corner click on it and you will see a list of update titles untick the ones you dont want then click cancel

Answer 7

I can see why you are still on level 1 ,when you go to Microsoft for up dates pick custom not express,that way you pick what you want,as for your spy ware theory it is incorrect,Microsoft scans your computer to see what up dates you have and to make sure your copy is genuine ohh i give up

Answer 8

stop the windows update function, start your hunt at the control panel.