New Update safe?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Regina
  • Start date Start date
R

Regina

When I logged into MSN today, I was greeted by a link
recommending that I donwload the newest version of MSN.
(I'm running Windows XP on a 2002 Gateway.)

It appears to me that it would completely replace what
I'm using now, rather than just updating it.

Having learned the hard way not to trust anything new
until it's been tested and de-bugged, do any of you know
what this update/upgrade is all about and if it's "safe"
to download?

Here the link:

http://membercenter.msn.com/download.aspx

Thanks for any advice.

Regina -
(intermediate newbie with little technical knowhow)
 
All the updates from Windows Update are safe. The better question: Is your
computer safe?

Rocky
 
"the newest version of MSN"
If I'm understanding you, you were invited to update your
MSN software. The question is, "Is MSN the Internet
Service Provider that you use?" If so, then there is
probably no reason to fear the update. They do upgrade
the MSN software from time to time.
AFTER THOUGHT
I tested the link you provided, and it does seem to be a
legitimate website; however, that is an awfully large
download. I'm a former MSN subscriber - gave it up for
another ISP. If I were still subscribing, I would pass
on that large a download.
Hope this helps.
 
If I'm understanding you, you were invited to update
your MSN software. The question is, "Is MSN the Internet
Service Provider that you use?" If so, then there is
probably no reason to fear the update. They do upgrade
Click to expand...
the MSN software from time to time.
AFTER THOUGHTI tested the link you provided, and it does
Click to expand...
seem to be a legitimate website; however, that is an
awfully large download. I'm a former MSN subscriber -
gave it up for another ISP. If I were still subscribing,
I would pass on that large a download.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Regina replies:

Comcast is my ISP. I use MSN Explorer to surf the Web
(as I don't like IE). I routinely download "fixes" and
such. I am concerned about this download, as it IS huge
compared to anything I've downloaded in the past, and my
experience with major "changes" like this has not been
good.

Could one of you tell me what this "upgrade" is fixing,
or why it's so huge?
 
I just hopped over to my Comcast usergroup, and read
THERE that there were some "critical" MSN updates
available.

So, I'm wondering: since I subscribe to MSN e-mail
alerts, why did MSN send out at least *one* e-mail
regarding the FIVE "critical" updates?

Secondly, one of the updates warns about backing up
registries before downloading, and about files getting
corrupted, and about users having to know what they're
doing before messing with registries, so, I left THAT one
un-downloaded.

Here are the details:
[http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=831167]

Any comments?
 
I have no clue why MSN would be offering you Windows XP,
Internet Explorer and Outlook Express patches. I've not
known them to do that in the past. However, your most
recent post seems to indicate that, that is what they
have done. Perhaps it has something to do with
Microsoft's recent emphasis on security. If you
downloaded and installed the critical patches released by
Microsoft last week, you have what you need for your
operating system.
Here's what I downloaded and installed on 04/14/2004:
KB828741)
KB835732) Three patches for the Win XP OS; shown in
Add/Remove Programs as hotfixes
KB837001)

KB831167 - Shown under Internet Explorer in Add/Remove
Programs

KB837009 - Shown under Outlook Express in Add/Remove
Programs

I've experienced no adverse effects from having installed
these patches.
HTH
 
-----Original Message-----

I have no clue why MSN would be offering you Windows XP,
Internet Explorer and Outlook Express patches. I've not
known them to do that in the past. However, your most
recent post seems to indicate that, that is what they
have done. Perhaps it has something to do with
Microsoft's recent emphasis on security.
Click to expand...
.....

Dear Julie:

Thanks for your input. I'm sorry if my question was a
bit confusing. I'm guessing that what the huge file is
is an upgrade to MSN Explorer. I've had problems
with "new" versions of MSN in the past, and have
(fortunately) kept copies of the older versions which
work just fine.

As for the security update-downloads, I've installed all
except the one which affects registries, as it is
recommended only "if you've experienced problems
with...." and warns about messing around with registries -
- thus, it's a can of worms I'm leaving alone.

Otherwise, I have a little follow-up question which I've
asked before, but no one has answered:

When you're corresponding with someone regarding a
question here, which of the three search functions do you
use to track your threads? And can you give me a "here's
the best way to do search" hint? (My current way is to
bookmark the location with the date and time of the
thread, and then use the back page number function to go
there. I just KNOW there's a simpler way...)

R.
 
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