First and foremost - get rid of the automatic updates! Turn it off. You can choose to have them download, but let YOU choose when to install. Usually that's the safer bet.   Secondly: I can't speak for Vista, but with XP and 2000, you can choose a Custom install of Windows updates. These instructions are assuming you can do this with Vista, ok? Go to Microsoft's Windows Update page and do this process manually. When you do a search for updates, choose CUSTOM install, then hit Next. When it comes back with results, view the results. Write down the KBnumbers it lists, just in case you'll need to know in the near future. KB958644 is a critical XP and Win2000 update... but I'm nto sure what KB number it is for Vista.  Whichever results are listed, UNcheck the box in front of them, then hit Next. It will pop up another box asking if you are sure you don't want this (these) updates. Checkmark "Don't Ask Me Again", then click on Yes, you are sure you don't want it.   Please do all of the above, Reboot, then do it one more time to make SURE it/they aren't coming back. Please advise if that resolves it for you and list in here the KB numbers of the updates you are choosing to ignore. Also note: for XP and 2000, I know that IF it turns out to be a KB you later want, you can go back to MS updates site and add it back later, so no worries of it being a permanent ignore. :-) By the way, which version of Word is having the issue? Best wishes and let me know, SpenCer  
I have my desktop Inspiron 531 (Vista Premium) set to automatically upgrade daily.  Yesterday after an upgrade, WORD 2007 stopped working properly;  I can type content but the curser won't highlight and I can't navigate anywhere on the page.  When I try to close the program, it says WORD has stopped working, goes through the steps of trying to find the solution, can't, reboots, asks for the same info, finally offers to close the program.  I can't even close the program from the lower tool bar.  This happens whether I try to open a new document or old one.  Finally, I restored to an earlier point and Word worked perfectly---until the computer upgraded again.  I'm in the same fix-- How do I see what the upgrade might be that is affecting this and how do I selectively prohibit that upgrade from happening again? Thanks!  I need WORD back!!
WORD 2007 not working after automatic upgrade