Helen from Saugerties NY writes:
I was wondering if you have to install all the windows updates? Every time I do I have problems when the computer start up.
Excellent question, Helen. Anyone who’s recently used a computer with the Windows operating system on it is most likely familiar with the little pop-up window reminding them to update. Many people tend to ignore these little reminders, which can be detrimental to your computer’s health. The Windows patches and updates that are periodically available contain security updates and other pieces of software to help your computer run quicker, function more efficiently and resist attempts by hackers.
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Updates also include bug fixes. For example just a couple of months ago one of the non-security related updates included fixes for problems where Word would corrupt (made them unreadable!) it’s own files if they included equations and pictures. The average reader wouldn’t be aware of these fixes.
Updates usually also include fix more than one issue. So unless you invest the time to read the full writeup for each update you never know what you may be missing by skipping one.
Updates usually fix more than one program, more than just the “main” program identified in the summary. So by skipping an update you miss a patch you really do need.
So, I prefer to set the update to download only (not that it works), and then wait a few days to see if anyone reports problems. I usually install ALL of the updates that windows selects on the weekend. That is enough time for problems to surface, and that way I have time to do HD backups before the update. Just in case of “surprises”.