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The Lowdown on PC Updates
If you own a Windows computer, you’ve probably been bombarded by prompts to update everything imaginable, and even some things you never knew you had. Many “experts” will say you need to update everything installed on your computer as soon as updates are available, and yet many PC’s have never been updated and are running just fine while others develop new problems as a result of being updated. It can all be very confusing and feel overwhelming. How can anyone know what updates are important and how frequently they should be done? The answer to that question varies a little depending on how you use your computer, but a few basic guidelines can help demystify updates and reduce the related anxiety.
All the various operating system, hardware driver, utility, and software updates can essentially be viewed as on a four-level hierarchy in terms of importance. At the top of the priority scale are the updates for internet security software. Comprehensive internet security programs are only as good as their ability to update themselves, so that they have the latest definition files and tools for protecting your computer. Whether your internet security is Norton, McAfee, Trend Micro, or any other brand, you want to make sure you have the latest version of the software and that it is set to automatically update itself. Most will by default, but I usually check once in a while by opening the internet security software to make sure the latest updates were pulled in within the last couple of days. I will even manually run an update while I have it open just to be sure it will do so without any trouble.
The second level of updates in terms of importance include what I refer to as helpful internet plug-ins and utilities. Most notable of these are Java Runtime, Adobe FlashPlayer, and Adobe Reader. The first two are pretty useful for making some websites work right, and the third allows for opening Adobe Acrobat (or pdf) document files. Without them, some websites won’t work right or you won’t be able to open some document files. They may or may not prompt you for updating, but the newest versions can be found by doing Google searches using those names. Although their updates are pretty straightforward, you do need to read through each step to make sure you are not agreeing to anything you did not want. The current update for Java Runtime, for example, will try to sneak in an extra MSN toolbar for Internet Explorer that most people don’t need.
Quite a ways down the priority scale are the Windows operating system updates. Many are listed as critical, but if you read the detail of the vulnerabilities they are written to patch, you will find that the vast majority don’t apply to the way average PC owners use their computers, and some will actually cause problems. Internet Explorer 8, for example, which is part of Windows automatic updates, will cause general slowness and sometimes complete freeze-ups in opening web pages on some computers. Internet Explorer 7 and 8 are touted to be more secure than 6, but I don’t experience any less tendency toward infection in computers equipped with the newer versions, and you won’t find another browser that works as well on more websites than IE6. Although many would disagree with me on this, my experience suggests that as long as your Windows computer is updated to Service Pack 1 for Vista or Service Pack 2 for XP, you can run it trouble-free without pulling in any more operating system updates. Changing how your computer handles operating system updates varies depending the version of Windows and can involve some specialized knowledge, but doing so allows you to do “custom” updates manually perhaps once or twice a year, leaving out the newest untested updates and stuff you are not sure you want or need (like IE8). Ironically, your Windows computer may also run noticeably faster with the automatic update feature shut off because doing so frees up some system resources.
Least important are the updates for your other (non-internet security) software, utilities and device drivers. If you are experiencing a problem with some program you are trying to run, or your sound, video, or other system devices are not working right, then certainly updating the software or drivers would be the first recommended step for troubleshooting and possibly correcting the issue. Otherwise, I tend to shut off software automatic update features whenever possible, which I can usually find somewhere in preferences or options settings. While in those settings, I usually look to shut off any other features of the software that may be needlessly starting when the computer boots.
In general, you can help your Windows PC run faster and more efficiently if you bear in mind two simple principles: “Don’t fix it if it ain’t broke” and “Less is more”. Other support specialists will disagree and computers managed within a large network environment are a different story, but most Windows computer owners can just relax about updates. Internet security software updates are critical, some internet plug-in and utility updates can be helpful, but your computer can actually run more reliably and trouble free with other automatic updates shut off. To make certain your computer has all important updates and your update settings are configured right for your situation, contact a trusted technical support specialist.
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