Now that I am online, Windows XP keeps testing meet with auto updates. Are there any I want to war need? I've heard that some of them mess Windows up.

It doesn't install em irght away right? I asks to be installed? Then read what it does and read on the microsoft site if any problem can be encoutered.

It's Windows XP. All I've heard about spyware and security issues makes me nervous. It tells me "click here to learn more" or something like that(can't remember). I was wanting advice. It also seems that not all antivirus programs like XP.

I don't want my OS installing things for me so I disable that feature.

Go to:

Control Panel
System
Automatic Updates tab
Put the dot beside "Turn off Automatic Updates"

There is mention on the net that one of the security updates for XP actually slowed the computer down by a large factor.

one link to the info (http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,110385,00.asp)

I can go to a website and download select patches, without having to mess with the auto update feature, right? Which ones do I want for X. P.?

I'd say whichever ones you feel you need. Go to the MS Windows Update site and read about them, then you can choose which ones you want to install and which ones you don't, based on their describptions.