As to your New Update annoyances, I turned off the auto-update. I don't remember where exactly, but I'm pretty sure it is in the control panel (I keep mine in classic-mode). I'll look and see if I can find it.
EDIT: Found it, Start-->Settings-->Control Panel-->System-->Automatic Update-->Turn off automatic update (this is a radio button).
EDIT: Found it, Start-->Settings-->Control Panel-->System-->Automatic Update-->Turn off automatic update (this is a radio button).
WWBBD?