Windows Updates won't install

[Centurion-Legio]

i try installing updates for outlook i think they are, and they never install. every other update installs but not these 3 ones for outlook. I get an error code every time, it's "Code 646 Windows encountered an unknown error"

[Mumbodog]

If you do not use "Outlook" then ignore them.

Do you have the KB numbers for the failed updates?

[Centurion-Legio]

Yes but because they won't update the "install updates THEN shut down" option is always on the start menu instead of just the shut down and clicking the little arrow besides it doesn't give me the 'shut down' option alone so i have to close all programs and press alt + f4 to shut down my PC

[Mumbodog]

Change the way Updates work, set windows updates to 

"Download Updates but let me choose when to install them"

XP

Then they will not install automatically, you will get a yellow shield in the system tray at some point in time, click it then choose "Custom", then Untick the Updates and close, confirm you do not want to be reminded of them again. Or use IE to do a manual Window Update, click "Custom" untick the updates and tick "Don't show this update again" (you may have to click the + sign next to the update to see this option)

Close IE.

Vista, W7,

once the updates behavior has been changed, do a manual Windows update from Control Panel, once the Updates panel opens, click check for Updates, then click on the updates at the top, then untick the updates, then right click on each of them and select "Hide"

Once this is done you can change the Updates back to Automatic if you wish.