Windows 7: . NET Framework 4 updates made before Framework 4 was installed – upda

I installed the latest updates to .NET Framework 4 and later installed software that required me to install .NET Framework 4. Would be updates still be in effect or should I install them again?

It sounds like your installer was confused more than anything else - Do a manual check for updates, and if it comes up clear, then you don't need any

I had checked and the updates were successful. Would the Windows installer successfully install the updates if .NET Framework 4?

Windows Updates takes care of .NET updates as well
It's simply that your installer had a bad detection routine, and flagged the .NET as necessary when it wasn't.

Are we talking about the same thing?

I don't think I explained correctly. The latest 4 .NET Windows updates were installed on my machine. When I installed Dragon it required me to install .NET and I did that after I installed the Windows updates. Maybe what you're saying is that the installer installed the updates even though .NET was not there (or Dragon lied to me and .NET was really there).

I guess if the Windows installer installed the updates, .NET must have been – I was just concerned that when I re-installed .NET, it backed out the security updates.

No, we are talking about the same thing
- the Dragon installer was confused, and attempted the install of .NET, not recognising that it was already installed (an unfortunately common problem which can lead to further problems down the line) the installer itself should have recognised the situation, and may either have backed out gracefully, or run a 'repair install' of .NET and this should have left the updates in place.
Sometimes the installation is forced, and this can lead to a touch of DLL Hell - with the result that the .NET installation cannot be updated, and causes problems in removal as well, and has to be hoicked out by a dedicated removal tool and reinstalled from scratch. Luckily such forced installs are relatively rare.
Keep an eye out for any failed .NET updates over the next few patch Tuesdays, but I think you're probably good to go

Gotcha !

Thanks for the excellent explanation.