Are patches cumulative?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Sharron Spencer
  • Start date Start date
S

Sharron Spencer

I am running Win XP and there are several patches listed
which are available as I've been away from the computer for
a while. I am about to install the patch for the Blasted
worm (pun intended). Since it is the latest patch for XP,
will this patch also provide updates/fixes for the earlier
patches, or do I have to download and install all of them
one at a time?

Thanks for any help. Please email me directly at:
(e-mail address removed)
 
As far as I know, the only cumulative "patches" tend to be service packs.
You need to download every individual hotfix. However, you can safely do so
4 at a time. I've actually done larger batches, but some have reported
problems downloading more than 3 or 4 at a time.

Randall Arnold
 
That's a good question. Service Packs usually include all previously issued
patches, fixes, etc., but individual updates are not cumulative. You should
install whatever critical updates Windows Update presents to you, and any
others that you feel you should have.

One of the beautiful things about Windows Update - when it works, which is
usually the case - is that it 'knows' what you already have and what you
need. It even knows if a certain update needs to be installed before another
update.

Mike Mulligan
 
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