No, it's not. I just bought a brand new HP laptop over the weekend, and specifically had to accept the offer to receive and install automatic updates. I did of course, and recommend everyone does, but it was not "forced" upon me, as you keep insisting. Get over myself? As usual I'm just setting the facts straight, for some reason some people are so filled with their hate of Microsoft they start making false claims, and a claim that automatic updates are "forced" on anyone is an obviously false claim.
Look I have no hate for Microsoft, but I set up portables, too. After setting the time zone, the Automatic Updates screen comes up with the recommended option in the Automatic radio button.
This is never a problem with a stand security update or a bug fix that doesn't change how things work. The update happens and all the use may have to do is reboot at some future point.
However, this is a totally different matter with a program that has different functionality and has problems once installed.
If a person buys the system from a store, they can have a store technician set it up with them. Guess what? Circuit City and Best Buy chooses "Automatic" by default.
If people are not expecting a dang program change, they will be surprised to find this forced down on them at next reboot.
It's that simple. Get over yourself.
That's a bit dangerous, as you may end up accepting licenses that allow Microsoft to come into your computer whenever it wants, and even disable other programs you may be running.