Microsoft Automatic Updates, Good Or Bad ???

  • Thread starter Loring Hutchinson
  • Start date
L

Loring Hutchinson

I would like to hear from users on their opinions/experiences
regarding Microsoft updates. I had several bad experiences with up
updates when I was using Win98SE. You'd think I'd learn after the
first "bad" experience. The last time I did the update routine with
Win98SE I started to experience unusual "glitches" with several
parts of my computer/networking setup.

I just updated to a new P4 with WinXP and I would like to make an
informed decision on whether or not I should activate the little
window that keeps asking me if I want to take advantage of "automatic
updates". HJow about some opinions from users and also "experts"??
 
M

MMJII

My 2 cents worth.
Usually I do it myself because I let the patch be tested out in the field
before I load it on my pc.
As a general rule, I never let anything run automatically short of a backup.

MMJ
 
G

Guest

My own preference is disabling the automatic update feature and manually checking in with microsoft to select the updates I feel I need....not everyone needs chinese language packs or things of that nature....this way you can pick and choose which ones or best for you and your environment
 
U

Unknown

Install all available but, do it manually by clicking on 'windows update'. I
have installed EVERY update and have had no problems whatsoever, BUT, I do not
and have never used any virus programs.
 
B

Bruce Chambers

Greetings --

Due to the nearly infinite number of possible combinations of
hardware, device drivers, and applications on any given PC, it's
impossible to guarantee that all patches will be 100% harmless. In a
very small number of cases, patches and hotfixes can cause conflicts
or other problems. So, as with all changes to an OS, caution is
advised.

All "Critical" updates should be installed. These address serious
issues that can affect a large number of computers. There will be
only rare occasions when a Critical update will not apply. Of special
importance are those that address security vulnerabilities. If people
had installed the available critical updates in July, the Blaster and
Welchia worms would not have spread throughout the Internet the
following month. In the unlikely event that problems do develop, you
can always use the Control Panel's Add/Remove Programs applet or a
System Restore Point to uninstall the troublesome hotfix.

For the "Recommended" updates, simply study the information
provided to see if these updates apply in your specific situation. If
they don't apply, or you're not experiencing the problem(s) addressed,
you needn't install them. For instance, I have no use for WinXP's
MovieMaker, so I ignore any updates to it. Again, in the unlikely
event that problems do develop, you can always use the Control Panel's
Add/Remove Programs applet or a System Restore Point to uninstall the
troublesome hotfix.

In general, though, I've found it best not to download the
"Driver" updates from Windows Update, unless they're for a hardware
device originally manufactured by Microsoft. Device drivers provided
by each component's manufacturer's web site are likely to perform
better and offer more features than will the watered-down, "generic"
drivers that those manufacturers provide to Microsoft for distribution
via Windows Update.


Bruce Chambers
--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH
 
J

John Leonard - Sage

Of course you could ask 10 people and get 10 different answers. I use it all
the time and have since release of XP. I have used both Home and
Professional.

I like it and have had no problems - yet?!

I have just posted a concern that it is not being downloaded to me anymore
and wonder what is going on.

My vote is to use it and then double check the site for any others that
might be needed.
 

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