Restart computer now/Restart computer later

[nancylebov]

My Windows XP machine just insisted on updating itself again. The warning box appears with two options: Restart computer now and Restart computer later--and the latter has a time limit on it. The computer will restart itself and complete the update on its own in the near future.

I hate this. I'd much rather find out what the update is and at least do a fast check to see whether something awful has happened to computers of the early adopters and/or suckers.

Is there any way for me to grab control of updates away from my computer?