So Windows tells me I've got a new update it's ready to install. What fantastic new feature does it give me? Well, it "helps me" by checking if I'm running a legal version of Windows. Yeah, I was really worried about that, it was keeping me up nights.

I read the fine print, and see that it implies that future updates will check this one to see if it's running. So I guess I have to install it, despite the fact that it's purely for Microsoft's benefit, not mine. I say "go ahead" and it says I can continue doing stuff while it's installing in the background.

The a minute or two later it wants me to reboot my computer. This is the #1 reason why anyone with a brain turns off the "automatically install" option on Windows Update. Lots of updates from Microsoft want you to reboot, and you really don't want this to happen without warning. Even the prompt to reboot isn't something you want when you're in the middle of a game.

I say "no, reboot later." At least it asks. Some of the updates have said "your computer will reboot now" with no choice but to accept it with an OK button.

I'm merrily typing away when a few minutes later I get another popup. The update is annoyed that I haven't rebooted, and it asks me "reboot now" or "reboot later." I choose "later," I'm busy, and don't want to lose what I've written. And of course a few minutes later the dialog pops up again. This time I notice it's even got hotkeys for the buttons, so when the dialog grabbed the focus away from Explorer, it would have rebooted if I'd happened to type "N" (for Now) just as it switched.

I left the dialog up this time. Until I'm actually ready to reboot, the safest thing is to leave it up and waiting. Yeah, it's covering part of the screen, since it's an "always on top" window, but at least I can type without further interruption.

This is why I don't like Microsoft.

- Gus