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Microsoft Updates

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by sherlin

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Hello All,
With Windows XP and Office Xp having updates almost daily would everyone agree that installing all of these would be the way to go or not? I am torned between choosing update or to wait. Is their a rule that everyone abides by when it comes to upgrading WinXP and Office XP Pro?

11 replies

by mm212

What I do is update MY machine or maybe one other person's machine that has particular software I'd be worried about "breaking". Work normally for a couple of weeks to be sure nothing broke, then begin the rollout of the update. Using a SUS server definitely helps in this regard. For more info on SUS, go to:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=A7AA96E4-6E41-4F54-972C-AE66A4E4BF6C&displaylang=en

Be sure to remove any spaces from this URL and paste each portion into the address bar if it scrolls.

by sgt_shultz

my 2 cents is: keep them updated with the critical updates and service packs. and service packs. and service packs. you can usually uninstall if you find there is a problem (fairly rare, at least in my experience. i have never had to uninstall a service pack. sometimes i have had to resolve issues by updating drivers or whatever), plus there is always System Restore...keeping the service packs and critical updates current lowers total cost of ownership for the client, imho. i never miss an opportunity to point out to a client that they did *not* get lambasted by the latest round of whatever worm...

by thechas

I normally wait a couple of days after an update is released before installing most MS updates, just to see if they are causing any problems.

When I update, or setup a new PC, I install ALL critical security and compatibility updates.

I do not install updates for services that I do not use (like MSN Messenger)

Also, take time to consider that some updates will require additional updates. Case in point, updating DirectX may require a new video driver.

All in all, weight the potential of the risk of the flaw for your systems. The more you are at risk, the more important it is to install the update.

Chas

by oz_media

Oh so true! I also prefer to wait maybe a week before installing anything new from MS. They have a tendency to patch patches shortly after the masses have installed them and reported bugs.

One exception is security patches. These I install when available, if I'm running the exploited software, not everything needs to be MS.

As for Chas recommending the DX xhecks, THIS IS GOSPEL!! NEVER update a DX version until you are POSITIVE it is compatible with you video drivers and that your video drivers will support the newer DX version. There have been more removal questions for DX here than I wish to get into.

For MS, give it a little time to settle befoer applying patches.

by compgirlfhredi

The addage "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" comes to mind,not altogether true. I only SP, update, patch, etc AFTER I read the definition of the patch, SP, etc. If it addresses a specific problem I am experiencing on my computer, then yes. Although I have a tendency to ignore Cumulative Patches. Security updates are a different story, always use the ones that apply to my situation. If I have ANY doubts about whether these effect my computer or my situation, I generally reread the description and find a reason to or to not use it.
I also use the Catalogue option on the left hand side of WinUpdate so I can keep a record of what I have applied.

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