Resolved How can I reject Windows updates in Win7?

I unselected quite a number(~15) security updates that were available, and accepted or, left checked, updates that had to do with the operating system.
The ones I unselected were the ones that dealt with components of Microsoft Office which I do not have installed: Outlook, FrontPage, etc.
The option to shut down windows 7 shows a little gold shield which makes you install the updates and then shut down. In Vista, you have a choice of using that shutdown icon, or click on the right arrow(triangle?) and get a stack of options-among which shutdown is one.
In Windows 7, the stack has restart, hibernate, logoff, etc., but no shutdown option. So, if you want to shut down the computer, you are forced to click on the shutdown that has the yellow/gold shield superimposed on it when updates are available.
I reluctantly clicked on the shutdown button, thinking that the ones I had deselected would not be installed. They were. It probably is not a big deal, but it is irritating nonetheless.
This is especially so since my previous computer, which ran more or less flawlessly(WinXP)for well over 3 years, was corrupted during a restart after installing security updates which were installed without me noticing. My fault, I guess. They arrived while I was playing a game. So, I carelessly exited the game, shut the computer down, and from that point, never recovered from the BSOD. I am now faced with the prospect of relegating that harddrive which contained Win XP to a data storage drive. After 3 years, you can imagine the amount of data and details that the drive contains that I probably don't even remember that I have.
Sorry, sounds like a rant.
How can I stop or control what Microsoft sticks on my drive?

 

I'm looking forward to the answer on this one.
I too just bought a Laptop with 64 bit Win7. I just assumed automatic updates could just be turned off or options allow you to pick the ones you will allow.
Not so?
I've spent most of the time on it getting Movie Maker 2.6 for XP to run on it.
Why MS took it out is a mystery to me.
Well not actually a mystery, the whole "live" concept is a little pretentious if you ask me.
I thought skipping Vista was the thing to do but maybe 7 too.
Dan

 

Thanks Arie and Evan Omo. My apologies for the delay in replying.
I'll be marking this thread as resolved.