MS and their updates

Jake'sGran

This laptop has Vista installed. It seems like every day I get a notice about an update. Do I really need to install them? I think some of them are connected to "gaming" which I don't use at all. Still learning!

busenbust

I always differentiate between what MS consider and mark as important updates and optional updates. I also always view the detailed description of an update and then use my discretion. Never do I allow MS to automatically download and configure updates.

HTH.

S0litaire

It's best to install ANY security update.

They usualy only put out updates once a month (Patch Tuesday)
So there's probably a few updates to the updates you've installed so it will keep nagging you till you install them...

If you have ample download limits then there's nothing stopping you getting the updates and get rid of the nagging! ^_^

Money_Grabber13579

Jake'sGran wrote: »

This laptop has Vista installed. It seems like every day I get a notice about an update. Do I really need to install them? I think some of them are connected to "gaming" which I don't use at all. Still learning!

If you select Windows Update from Internet Explorer, it will bring up Control Panel and then the updater. Install the updates and report back with what happens after that. It may be that the update continually fails, and if so, it will give you a code which can be interpreted.

mr_fishbulb

Jake'sGran wrote: »

This laptop has Vista installed. It seems like every day I get a notice about an update. Do I really need to install them? I think some of them are connected to "gaming" which I don't use at all. Still learning!

IIRC Windows Defender gets regular updates through Microsoft Updates - they are quite small and you don't need to reboot afterwards.

BillScarab

What updates do you think are connected to gaming? BTW mr_fishbulb is correct. Defender seems to get updates virtually every day, which isn't a bad thing but can be slightly annoying.

Jake'sGran

Money_Grabber13579 wrote: »

If you select Windows Update from Internet Explorer, it will bring up Control Panel and then the updater. Install the updates and report back with what happens after that hiat. It may be that the update continually fails, and if so, it will give you a code which can be interpreted.

It looks like I have installed a lot of them, mostly re Windows Defender. I cannot figure out how to highlight the list and copy it to here or cut and paste it. The usually methods don't work. No matter. Under SECURITY it says:

1 important update is available 35.0 MB - 343.9 yesterday at 15.28
Then, today again:
New updates are avaiable, click to install.

I think I have been installing them when it says IMPORTANT
and ignoring them when it says Recommended.

Money_Grabber13579

Jake'sGran wrote: »

It looks like I have installed a lot of them, mostly re Windows Defender. I cannot figure out how to highlight the list and copy it to here or cut and paste it. The usually methods don't work. No matter. Under SECURITY it says:

1 important update is available 35.0 MB - 343.9 yesterday at 15.28
Then, today again:
New updates are avaiable, click to install.

I think I have been installing them when it says IMPORTANT
and ignoring them when it says Recommended.

That sounds like a very major update when it can be upto 344MB. If you click where it says 1 important update available, does it tell you what it is? I suspect it may be Vista Service Pack 2.

Money_Grabber13579

Also, if you click view update history, is there any that have failed recently? If so, there might be a problem. If not, it's possible that the computer is being turned off before it can be installed or something as simple as that.

busenbust

Jake'sGran wrote: »

This laptop has Vista installed. It seems like every day I get a notice about an update. Do I really need to install them? I think some of them are connected to "gaming" which I don't use at all. Still learning!

busenbust wrote: »

I always differentiate between what MS consider and mark as important updates and optional updates. I also always view the detailed description of an update and then use my discretion. Never do I allow MS to automatically download and configure updates.

HTH.

In addition, take note that starting with Windows XP SP2, Windows Vista, and Windows 7, Windows Updates is turned on automatically. Windows Vista will only automatically install important updates (or "critical updates") - all other non-critical Windows Updates, Microsoft Updates, and driver updates are left available and unchecked, installable at your discretion.

:cool: