..."but windows still finds a way".
and "Windows Update - this service (is) disabled in services window, however randomly gets reset"
I have had Windows Update disabled in Services for years without it getting reset...
I'm still running Win 7 which might be why...MS may have "fixed that issue" with Win 8 or Win 10.
Although I don't get Windows Updates, Microsoft still finds a way to download certain updates anyway...
AND those cannot be uninstalled, changed, deleted or disabled.
"There is but one straight course, and that is to seek truth and pursue it steadily." -- George Washington