I don't know if my having upgraded my ancient Windows XP Home Edition laptop to Service PACK 2 on Sunday night is relevant but I want to mention it.

During its installation, Spybot Search and Destroy asked me to ALLOW quite a lot of changes and I permitted them all.

At the moment, I am just browsing some web pages, using Firefox, and Spybot has detected ----->

System Startup global entry
Value added
NetFxUpdate_v1.1.4322
in
C:WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Frameworkand is asking me whether to accept this.
I haven't deliberately installed any programs this MORNING. Oh ! While I was typing this a box has appeared asking me to re-start my PC. Is this all "normal" when using Automatic Updates from Microsoft now that I have SP2 ?

How will I ever know that the downloads and alterations are O.K ?
Perhaps - I should switch to Manual Updates so that I am EXPECTING queries......and my PC won't be switched off if I'm not there to notice that it could be and stop it.Not sure exactly what you mean.

When I update my computer via Windows Update, it prompts me to restart.I've found that I can change the Windows Update settings in System Properties in the Control Panel so that I can be notified before downloading or installing anything.

I prefer that.When using Windows Update it is always best to turn off TeaTimer and sometimes even your antivirus and firewall. TeaTimer is a PITA when it comes to Windows Updates. Actually it is a PITA in GENERAL and I NEVER advise anybody to use it.

How to Disable Spybot's TeaTimer