downloads and updates

[Scott Service]

I have recently updated my PC(XP)and separately purchasd
office XP standard.

I have only installed outlook and word from the
installation CD for the time being.

Now I understand that with a later o.s. we have to be
ever more vigilant with service pack updates and
frequently updated virus prorams.

question: I am unfamiliar with downloading service packs
and updates, do I need to download all the updates the
microsoft site scanner tells me to in the "critical,XP
and driver" section?

I see the sepate office update section - can I just use
this? will it automaticaly up date the XP o.s. as above
as well as the necessary outlook email related updates?
or do I need to do both?

How often should we be updating?

thankyou,
Scott.

 

[Jocelyn Fiorello [MVP - Outlook]]

You would need to do both -- Windows Update and Office Update. You can
set Windows XP to automatically alert you when there are new critical
updates available, or to download those updates automatically and let
you know they're ready to be installed. For other Windows updates,
you'd need to visit the Windows Update site. I'd do it once a week or
so. You should read all the information for each update before
installing it, so you know what it does, why you need it, how to
uninstall it (if possible -- some can't be uninstalled), etc. For more
information on Windows Update, visit this page:

http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp

The Office Update site will do the same for the Office products, but I
don't know of any way to have Office automatically alert you when there
are new updates available -- you might want to ask about that in an
Office newsgroup (like microsoft.public.office.misc).

--
Jocelyn Fiorello
MVP - Outlook

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