Have you set Windows to "Install updates automatically"?

I always go ahead and install them, .. I just like to know 'what's happening' at all times, so have it set to NOTIFY. I agree, .. staying up to date is very important .. OS, Java, Flashplayer, Antivirus, etc etc etc. There is a REASON for releasing an update.

 

I manually install so I can decide if I want them.

 

There is absolutely no way I'd let Windows update automatically. Like Athena28, I want to make the decision, myself, about whether to install a particular parch, or patches.

As an example, I still have the Office97 suite installed, although Word is the only program I regularly use. Because of that, there's no reason for me to install patches intended for current versions. No need for me to mung up my system any more than it already is .

 

I also manually install so I can decide if I want them, as my system has been "messed up" on more than one occasion over the years due to automatically downloading. I do, however, always download the Critical Updates and I do always check for downloads on a regular basis (once a week).

 

As A Saving Grace...

Much as I dislike someone else doin' thangs to me 'puter without my knowledge, I do let Windows install their updates automatically; cuz they can undo whatever they did by my contacting them in the event of mess-ups!

 

If you have an old obsolete program on your system, and you never patch it, it can be exploited by any evil thing that sneaks past your firewall. Always update everything, even if you don't use it, because even if you don't use it, some virus can. The update doesn't take very long, and it closes holes that could kill you.

 

When was the last time, if ever, that MS offered a patch for Office97?

 

911 makes an excellent point. Vulnerabilities in programs .. whether you use them or not.

 

What does Office97 have to do with automatically installing patches? If they don't patch something, it's because they don't know of any problems with it, or no longer support it. They offer patches to all kinds of programs that I don't have. If I don't have it, they won't try to patch it. If I have it, I want the holes plugged. I don't care if you like to live dangerously, I don't.

 

Thanks, Arie. Time to ditch Office97 and install OpenOffice.org, I guess.

 

ok...

 

I haven't the expertise (nor the time) to decide whether or not to accept or reject what is offered so like some of the other respondents, I let Windows update automatically. In all the years I've been doing this, I've never suffered any ill effects although I suppose there's always a first time.

 

Evan:

I've had at least a dozen instances where the updates cause my system to crash. I take a close look at each update now and decide whether it's appropriate for my use of WinXP. Most of the "blow-ups" have been with programs I never use.

 

Why let windows patch anything.Usually the patch has more holes in it than the
original problem.
MS also can slip something in you won't even know about. This has happened!!
No MS patches for me,I fix all my own stuff.

 

I want to keep the patches downloaded & saved so that if I have to install Windows again, I don't have to go through the whole process again. As I also repair computers, its paramount that all the patches are available at one place.

So only "Notify" works for me.

 

I wait and see if the updates cause any issues before I manually download and install them. The only program on my PCs allowed to automatically update is the anti-virus.