I have to say that I have been using the autoupdate in automatic mode since day one and have never had an issue with patches not working or trashing the box or it's services. Now, I will grant that those boxes aren't doing anything "fancy" but the system has worked flawlessly for me - I can understand if you have a customized environment that is mission critical this would not be an option.

I do think that M$ should ship XP Pro/Home and 2000 with autoupdate turned ON. Server editions should probably be on too but I can see them being leary about that. However, if an admin installed a box with autoupdate on and customized it knowing that AU was on and not turning it off..... That might be his fault if it fails.......

Thoughts, comments, abuse.....