Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

A Safe Download?

Oct 20, 2008 9:00AM PDT

My Dell Inspiron 9300 running XP Home has a yellow shield on the bar in the lower right hand corner of the desktop prompting me to install updates. Are these updates legit? My Dell desktop has the same yellow shield.

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
"My Dell desktop has the same yellow shield"
Oct 20, 2008 9:10AM PDT

You mean, the yellow shield on the bar in the lower right hand corner of the desktop, is ALSO on your desktop?

Hover with your mouse over it, what does it say?

- Collapse -
It Says....
Oct 20, 2008 9:16AM PDT

"Updates are ready for your computer Click here to install these updates".
It's on the Toolbar(?) or whatever is shown in the lower right hand corner of the screen. Not really on the desktop.

- Collapse -
I see..
Oct 20, 2008 9:21AM PDT

It "sounds" like Microsoft Windows Updates...... but ..... to be sure, why don't you go directly to Windows Update:

Start > All Programs > Windows Update

- Collapse -
SP 3
Oct 20, 2008 9:31AM PDT

Is ready to be downloaded per the Windows update site XP Service Pack 3 KB936929 is ready to download. I don't ever remember getting the yellow shield before to install Windows updates?

- Collapse -
then you must have TURNED ON......
Oct 20, 2008 9:38AM PDT

Automatic Updates ! You can see it at the Microsoft Update page at the top right:

Automatic Updates
Turned ON

Your computer is set to receive notifications when new updates are available.

- Collapse -
Automatic Updates Is Turned On
Oct 20, 2008 9:43AM PDT

So the bottom line is the yellow shield is ok? I'm nervous since spyware got me good in the past. I run Spybot S & D and Ad Aware but am still nervous. In the past I was prompted when logging off that updates are being installed. Just never saw the yellow shield.

- Collapse -
(NT) Yes, in THIS case -Microsoft Updates- it is safe.
Oct 20, 2008 9:46AM PDT
- Collapse -
btw...... IF you intend to download SP3
Oct 20, 2008 9:41AM PDT
- Collapse -
Yikes!!!
Oct 20, 2008 9:49AM PDT

That's technical talk (ha-ha). SP 3 looks like a big one? Do you recommend downloading it? Risks with and with out? As you may have guessed, some of this is new to me.

- Collapse -
Lots of threads about SP3 ;)
Oct 20, 2008 9:56AM PDT
- Collapse -
I Will Read It Before doing anything else with SP 3
Oct 20, 2008 10:03AM PDT

and thank you so much for your prompt responses and advice. I'll try not to bug you further (at least for a while). Thanks again.

- Collapse -
Good idea :)
Oct 20, 2008 10:59AM PDT

You didn't bug me at all Devil

You Are Very Welcome Happy