Optional Windows Update

Thanks to both of you. I installed it and when I restarted my screen came up with the two user icons. However the icons were much bigger and more yet the arrow was frozen. I had to shut down the computer and bring it back up in safe mode. Then I went into restore and put it back two days. After that, I had to reinstall the good updates from yesterday and finally all is well. I called Microsoft to tell them that the update they sent me although optional totally fouled up my computer and I thought they would like to know. Didn't get the feeling that she cared. I don't recommend this optional update unless it is someone who knows more than I do about computers.

Totally agree if it ain't broke don't fix it. But I still can't understand why Microsoft would include an update in windows update that would crash my computer.

I only use the "Critical/High Priority" updates on all our computers.. All the rest, I pick and choose and research them individually.

Hope this helps.

Grif

Grif..does this mean a person should not use the "auto update feature" with Vista? I have been so far although did it "manually" on my old W98SE system.

I've recently been uninstalling IE7 from a number of my customer's computers because IE7 was ONCE AGAIN listed in the "Critical" set of updates for Windows XP... I like to make sure of the updates I'm installing, especially in our office network where it's critical that machines stay up and running.. We do tests before installing any of them. Vista is the same way.. I verify those updates before I let the computer install them.

As I state, it's just MY choice.. For those that choose not to check for updates on Patch Tuesday and simply ignore their computers most of the time, then maybe Automatic Updates is a better option..

Hope this helps.

Grif

Hi Grif,
Recently I had to do a clean reinstall of XP sp2 on my Dell PC. Of course now there are windows updates all the way back to 2004! Surely I don't need all of them! Some are cumulative updates to updates, and some need installed before others, etc. MS tech has not been helpful. Is there a way to figure out which ones I truly need, without researching each and every one? I've turned off auto-updates as this was really bogging everything down and some wouldn't even install. SP3 update messed up drag and drop on desktop, for example.
Thanks!
Beth

sorry! just noticed that this is in the wrong forum!
Beth

but from what I have experienced is that only "critical" updates are installed with automatic updates, optional ones are not automatically installed, they are left up to you the user if you want to do so.
Liz

...Just a couple of examples for Windows XP and both of these are installed automatically if you choose "Automatic Updates":

1. Internet Explorer 7

2. Windows Genuine Advantage Notification Tool

Neither of the above updates are "required" or "Critical" as to the overall operations of Windows.. It's because of these types of things, (there have been others over the years), I choose to check those updates before installing them.

Hope this helps.

Grif