I try to be prompt downloading the latest patches from MS on Update Tuesday. It's hard not to be with their cornball shield appearing in the taskbar every time you sign on the Net until you do. The last time, I was treated to this: You've hidden important updates! It took me a moment to understand the message: I'd declined to install Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 Service Pack 1. I nearly fell out of my chair laughing. You've hidden important updates! The accusatory words reminded me of the old sitcom Hogan's Heroes. I half-expected Colonel Klink (Sergeant Schultz was my favorite) to pound on my front door. "Ja vol, mein herr!" I have two large hard drives, so the 10.2 MB size of .NET Framework 1.1 Service Pack 1 is not the issue. I simply didn't want to install bloated code for which I have no use, nor the software which requires .NET Framework. Now, I look forward to those second Tuesdays, just to get the message: You've hidden important updates!

Atlantic You could always turn off the Auto-update and go to the Windows Update Site yourself to choose what you want Start - All Progs - right at the top 'Windows Update' Lesley

Even going directly to the MS site to download updates will give you the same message if you decline to download and hide a critical update. It is laughable but it is the gentle slap on the wrist MS gives you when you do not follow their rules. I have Auto updates turned off and have hidden updates MS considers critical and have seen the above many times. I just ignore it.