Can I manage without the internet?

Q  Recently, I splashed out on an expensive new laptop, sold to me by an enthusiastic salesperson.

All I really wanted was something simple for word-processing and spreadsheet use but what I seem to have ended up with is a computer that appears to be entirely dependent on the internet – it’s constantly recommending that this, that or the other should be updated.

The 3G broadband dongle that came with the laptop quickly used up its data allowance and still the computer is demanding updates. Even the various Help menus refer me to, yes – the internet.

I just want to use my computer. Can I operate it successfully without the internet?

David Fitzgibbon

A  The short answer is yes – a PC can be used without being connected to the internet, as long as the programs you use daily don’t require online access.

So, if you use only programs such as Microsoft Word and Excel – as your letter suggests – then there’s absolutely no reason the computer can’t be used without being connected to the internet.

The longer – and perhaps slightly frustrating – answer is that, while day-to-day use will probably be a bit quieter, disconnecting from the online world won’t necessarily silence all the alerts.

Some applications use periodic mechanisms to check for updates, rather than dynamic alerts that arrive over the web.

In other words, some programs may be set up to issue regular reminders to go online in order to check for updates – whether or not the computer is connected to the internet.

Indeed, the act of disconnecting from the web may increase these types of alert, as the responsible programs may start to issue warnings that without being online they’ll be unable to check for updates.

You didn’t tell us the specific programs that are bothering you, so the best advice we can issue is to suck it and see. Disconnect your computer from the internet for a few days and see how you fare.

If the alerts reduce in frequency or disappear, then that’s good – and as the computer is no longer connected to the internet, there’s little risk posed by not keeping programs up to date. However, when you next go online it would be wise to apply the latest updates because new threats may have emerged in the meantime.

However, if, as we suspect, some of the messages keep on coming then you’ll need either to deal with them or put up with the frustration. We would suggest the former course of action, as it’s usually not difficult.

Just follow the prompts to update the program or, perhaps more likely to prove effective in your quest for a quieter electronic life, look for options to disable or reduce the frequency of the alerts.

To alter Windows Update, for instance, click Start, point to All Programs then click Windows Update. Though the presentation differs between Windows versions, there are essentially four Windows Update options: ‘Install updates automatically’ (just ‘Automatic’ in XP), ‘Download updates for me but let me choose when to install them’, ‘Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them’ and ‘Never check for updates’.

That last option would permanently silence update reminders from Windows itself (and other Microsoft programs, such as Office) but it’s not a great idea, because it is important to get the latest updates periodically. The automatic option would do the same thing but leave you without control over the process – and could quickly use up your 3G dongle’s data allowance.

As well, because you told us it is new, we’re pretty sure your laptop will be running Windows 7. If so, you can further tailor notifications using the Action Center.

To access this, either right-click the flag icon in the Taskbar’s Notification Area and choose Action Center, or click Start, type action center into the Search box and press Enter. Now click the Change Action Center settings link on the left-hand side and click to remove ticks from the boxes to reduce or eliminate the alerts.

It isn’t sensible to disable them all but as before, if your computer is going to remain offline, then the risk is minimal.