FalconMan said:
Hi there, I am fairly conscientious when it comes to downloading the Windows Online Updates that I am periodically prompted to do. There is a recent "Important Update" request (nVidia - Display - NVIDIA GeForce 8200M G) that is bigger than usual - 85.8Mb. I have a 350Mb per month data package, which is more than adequate for my use (I don't download music, videos, etc), but downloads like this Windows Update really have an impact on my data allocation, especially when I am not to sure what its use is / why it is needed? Please could you provide me with some clarity on the importance of this update, what it is required for, etc. Thanks (from sunny South Africa)
Post Originated from
http://www.VistaForums.com Vista Support Forums
In the overwhelming majority of cases, all "Critical" updates
should be installed. These address serious issues that can affect a
large number of computers. There will be only rare occasions when a
Critical update will not apply. Of special importance are those that
address security vulnerabilities. If people had installed the available
critical updates in July of 2003, the Blaster and Welchia worms would
not have spread throughout the Internet the following month. In the
unlikely event that problems do develop, you can always use the Control
Panel's Add/Remove Programs applet or a System Restore Point to
uninstall the troublesome hotfix.
For the "Recommended" updates, simply study the information
provided to see if these updates apply in your specific situation. If
they don't apply, or you're not experiencing the problem(s) addressed,
you needn't install them. For instance, I have no use for WinXP's
MovieMaker, so I ignore any updates to it. Again, in the unlikely event
that problems do develop, you can always use the Control Panel's
Add/Remove Programs applet or a System Restore Point to uninstall the
troublesome hotfix.
In general, though, I've found it best *not* to download the
"Driver" updates from Windows Update, unless they're for a hardware
device originally manufactured by Microsoft. Device drivers provided by
each component's manufacturer's web site are likely to perform better
and offer more features than will the watered-down, "generic" drivers
that those manufacturers provide to Microsoft for distribution via
Windows Update.
--
Bruce Chambers
Help us help you:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375
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safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin
Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell
The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has
killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot
