RE
Hints and Tips: Unnecessary Windows UpdatesI noticed that the updates Skuzzy mentioned qualify as "recommended" instead of "important". Recommended updates can be avoided very easily:
Windows 7:
Click Start, type Windows update in the search box, and then click Windows Update in the Programs list.
In the left pane, click Change settings.
Select the option that you want.
Under Recommended updates,
deselect the "Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates" check box, and then click OK.
Windows 8 and 8.1_
Open Windows Update by swiping in from the right edge of the screen (or, if you're using a mouse, by pointing to the lower-right corner of the screen and moving the mouse pointer up), then tapping or clicking Settings, tapping or clicking Change PC settings, and then tapping or clicking Update and recovery.
Tap or click Choose how updates get installed.
Under Important updates, select the option that you want.
Under Recommended updates,
deselect the Give me recommended updates the same way I receive important updates check box, and then click Apply.