Should I use Critical updates with Dell's Pentium 4 and Windows xp home edition?

[Martin51144]

I have had problems downloading critical updates. I was
told both by Dell tech support and Microsoft tech support
that I should disable my firewall and anti-virus software
before downloading the updates. In addition, Dell
support states from their personal experience they have
found there were many problems downloading updates,
including critical ones, and recommend not doing so.
Yet, when I ask them is this the stated policy of Dell
they say no, it's based on their personal experience. A
Microsoft technician said that critical updates should be
installed on my computer to insure a smoother and safer
performance of the operating system. First, why doesn't
Microsoft warn its users to disable the firewalls and
anti-virus before they download the updates? Secondly,
does Microsoft still recommend downloading critical
updates in spite of what Dell tech support warns against?

 

[Buzz]

Critical updates are called 'critical' for a reason.

The updates are intended to safeguard your data and your pc against
malicious users. If dell are telling you not to install these updates, they
are idiots IMO.


I have had problems downloading critical updates. I was
told both by Dell tech support and Microsoft tech support
that I should disable my firewall and anti-virus software
before downloading the updates. In addition, Dell
support states from their personal experience they have
found there were many problems downloading updates,
including critical ones, and recommend not doing so.
Yet, when I ask them is this the stated policy of Dell
they say no, it's based on their personal experience. A
Microsoft technician said that critical updates should be
installed on my computer to insure a smoother and safer
performance of the operating system. First, why doesn't
Microsoft warn its users to disable the firewalls and
anti-virus before they download the updates? Secondly,
does Microsoft still recommend downloading critical
updates in spite of what Dell tech support warns against?