# Deleting a windows update without installing it

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deleting-a-windows-update-without-installing-it/449570>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [May 16, 2008, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deleting-a-windows-update-without-installing-it/449570 "2008-05-16T17:10:27Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![eveanyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a88e4f/32.png) [@eveanyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eveanyn)\
**Post date:** [May 16, 2008, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deleting-a-windows-update-without-installing-it/449570/1 "2008-05-16T17:10:27Z")

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I have my XP updates set to download automatically and then let me choose when to install it.

I don’t want to install this one at all. How do I get rid of that little yellow shield icon and delete the downloaded file?

Thanks

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**Author:** ![Dog80](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/6bbea6/32.png) [@Dog80](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dog80)\
**Post date:** [May 16, 2008, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/deleting-a-windows-update-without-installing-it/449570/2 "2008-05-16T22:09:18Z")

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Click on the shield and there will be two options: Express install and custom install. Choose custom install. Then you’ll see a list of all the updates that are about to be installed with checkboxes. Un-check the updates you do not want to be installed and click Next. At the window that pops up check the box that says you do not want to be bothered with these updates in the future.

That’s all. 🙂