Re: Windows and Office Updates
From: Bruce Chambers (bruce_a_chambers_at_h0tmail.com)
Date: 03/17/05
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Date: Wed, 16 Mar 2005 18:34:23 -0700
Ruth Isaacs wrote:
> Hello All
>
> I am using Windows Professional 2000 and Office 97 Professional.
>
> It is possible that I should have asked this question before doing what I
> have just done (!), but:
>
> Is there any reason why I should not download and install every update that
> Windows Update indicates that my PC should have? And the same question re
> Office Update? I had assumed not, but a friend recently told me of some
> 'known' problems with SP2 for Windows SP, and that installing it had caused
> him problems such that he had ened up removing SP2. So now I'm wondering
> whether it's alays a 'good thing' always to have the latest updates?
>
> I would be very grateful for any advice.
>
> Many thanks
> Les
>
>
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 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. Again, in the unlikely event that problems do
develop, you can always use the Control Panel's Add/Remove Programs
applet 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: http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having both at once. - RAH
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