Microsoft is investigating reports that updates are silently forced into Windows operating systems. The company has indicated that it is aware of customers claiming to be affected by the issue, but has failed so far to either confirm or deny the cases reported. Users indicated that Windows XP and Windows Vista could be updated at shutdown without the operating systems displaying any sort of notification, or requiring permission. Apparently, the behavior has been associated with platforms that have the Automatic Updates configuration set to either “download updates, but don't install them” or “notify me, but don't install them,” according to Windows Secrets.

“There have been some recent questions about how users are notified about updates and comments that sometimes customers aren’t being notified that updates are available when they shut down their computer. We are investigating the reports and trying to clarify with the community exactly what people are experiencing,” a member of the MU team revealed.

Microsoft has explained that notifications for updates that have finished downloading and are ready to install are served through the tray icon. In case of refreshes that are yet to finish downloading, notifications will be rescheduled until the process is completed. Both in Vista and in XP, the shut down button is modified in order to indicate to the end user that there are downloaded updates that are yet to be installed.

“Please call Microsoft Support if updates are installed when you shut down your computer and the shutdown button did not inform you that updates would be installed. If you don’t want to be prompted to update at shutdown, you can disable this feature using the guidance provided in the Controlling the Install Updates and Shutdown Feature section of the linked TechNet article. Please note that if your computer attaches to a corporate network, your IT Administrator may be enabling this feature through Group Policy, and it may be turned back on the next time you connect to your corporate network,” the MU team representative added.