Is it ok not to update Windows?

[jiewmeng]

Do you use Windows Update? Is it ok to disable it? I sometimes find it annoying and bloating my HDD

 

[zigzag3143]

Do you use Windows Update? Is it ok to disable it? I sometimes find it annoying and bloating my HDD

I dont think it is a good idea to not update at all, some can be ignored (the less than critical ones) others not


Ken J

 

[jaypels]

if you're not connected to the internet, i would say yes. but since you posted here, you are using the internet

think of it this way, installing win 7 is like building a home.. as time passes by, thieves would want to go inside your home especially if you have valuable things inside it.. would you leave your home as it is or do you want to have a safe home by making sure you have additional locks and anti-theft devices?

updates are just in kbs most of the time so i would download them if i were you

i know this is a very basic logic but still works right? plus it is easily understandable

 

[pparks1]

I would NOT run a Windows based computer connected to the Internet without running updates on the machine.

 

[Skulblaka]

Always do an update, both drivers and software. They do not bloat your system. Instead, they make the system more secure from threats, also, there are bug fixes and improvements.

Also, you could avoid many problems when updating your drivers, so don't take it for granted that Microsoft made it easy to do updates, they do it for your own good and safety.

 

[wb4bbc]

Always keep your system updated, turn on automatic updating you will not be sorry

 

[whs]

I would install most updates. The ones that pertain to components that you are not using, you can "hide". If you need them later, you can still pull them back. But if you want to live without updates, you should consider Linux.

 

[smarteyeball]

Always keep your system updated, turn on automatic updating you will not be sorry

Alternatively Turn it off and check for updates manually.


Select and choose. Not all updates are necessary.

 

[pparks1]

Always keep your system updated, turn on automatic updating you will not be sorry

Alternatively Turn it off and check for updates manually.


Select and choose. Not all updates are necessary.

While all updates may not be necessary, it might be more work and effort to read through them all and determine which ones you "really" need. That time and effort might not be worth the few KB's on the hard drive that are consumed. Plus, it's better to be safe than sorry in my opinion.

I still feel it's best to simply install every update that is shown as applicable to your system.

 

[profdlp]

...I sometimes find it annoying and bloating my HDD

Look at it this way:

Had Microsoft known about the potential problems/bugs/security issues/or whatever it is that they are patching when Win 7 was released, those updates would already be on your computer. When you were first installing Windows did you tell yourself "8.5GB is one thing, but the heck if I'm going to install an OS that requires 8.9GB"?

I saw a 1TB HD at the store today for $59.95 - why worry about a few hundred Megabytes of updates?

 

[Wishmaster]

Its not intrusive either.
By default its @ 3am I think, and thats just once a month -- unless something critical can not wait & absolutely needs immediate attention.

This is why I just leave mine on Auto for Important only. Everything deemed critical is automatically installed when released.
Then I look through Recommended and optional and install the ones I want/need. (Although I usually just install everything)


I agree with everyone else as well. Unless the machine is never online, Always let Windows update.
The amount of space the updates take is minimal.

 

[Kari]

I have a simple principle in this matter. I trust the makers of an OS to know what they are doing. Whether Windows, a Linux distro or Mac, I let them install any updates automatically when possible. In Windows for instance, most updates are because Microsoft has found a vulnerability or a bug and releases an update to patch that. I feel not updating would be irresponsible behavior from me, not taking care of my property, my computer.

Maybe not a good metaphor but anyway, think this: You install a well known, working AV application with todays virus and malware definitions. Should you then leave it as it was when installed, no longer update definitions, trusting that the old virus definitions can take care of the future viruses, too? Windows Update works according to this same principle; your Windows when installed was / is as safe and OK as was known to Microsoft when they released the version you installed. When new threats, vulnerabilities, bugs and so on are found, they are patched with an update.

Of course it's up to you to decide what to do with your computer. The above mentioned is only my personal opinion.

Kari

 

[whs]

Kari, there are exceptions. I recently got an update for my GPU which screwed things up. Before I really realized it, I had no suitable restore point left and uninstalling did not help either. But fortunately I had my trusted images that bailed me out.

And then there were also cases where updates were immediately known as buggy - even by MS. I remember one from a couple of years ago in Vista that did not even have an uninstaller - too bad for those that had neither restore points nor images. And that are most of the users, I think.

 

[pparks1]

Kari, there are exceptions. I recently got an update for my GPU which screwed things up. Before I really realized it, I had no suitable restore point left and uninstalling did not help either. But fortunately I had my trusted images that bailed me out.

To be fair, a video driver would NOT be listed as critical, but rather an optional component. I never install driver updates and such from Windows update...unless they are marked as critical.

And then there were also cases where updates were immediately known as buggy - even by MS. I remember one from a couple of years ago in Vista that did not even have an uninstaller - too bad for those that had neither restore points nor images. And that are most of the users, I think.

These do happen from time to time. Which is why I usually don't immediately install them, but rather hold off just a couple of days. However, these disasterous updates are usually few and far between. Over 98% of them I think have no real problems whatsoever.

 

[smarteyeball]

While all updates may not be necessary, it might be more work and effort to read through them all and determine which ones you "really" need. That time and effort might not be worth the few KB's on the hard drive that are consumed. Plus, it's better to be safe than sorry in my opinion.

So for example, those updates like USB camera devices that I do not have, or SD cards over 32GB that will blah blah unless.... or the 50+ language packs for ultimate users...

Or video card WHQL drivers that I have intentionally bypassed for valid reasons, or the 'Cumulative Media Centre' updates for a Media Centre I have long since disabled....

Or the Windows Live 2011 essentials that I also don't need or want et cetera.

The time and effort (ie a few seconds to read the description) is worth it.

As also mentioned, there are the occasional KB's that cause more harm than good.


Everyone has their own routine - the manual method has personally served me well.

 

[SledgeDG]

Bloating is not really an issue here since most security patches replace plus like already mentioned: hard drive space is cheap these days...MUCH cheaper than the time you will waste when your computer is overrun with nasties just because you didn't run those security upgrades

IMHO not a good idea

-DG

 

[Wishmaster]

True, we all have a different method of what is considered the best way to install updates, be it all automatic, all manual, or a mix of the 2.



But I think we can all agree on 1 major point.

Neglecting to update at all is a very bad idea. They are important.


Even if you do not Auto updates, I think at least one should at the very least set Windows Update to:
"Do not Download but check and inform me if updates are available."

Just my 2cents

 

[Kari]

so for example, those updates like usb camera devices (1) that i do not have, or sd cards (1) over 32gb that will blah blah unless.... Or the 50+ language packs for ultimate users (1, 2) ...

Or video card whql (3) drivers that i have intentionally bypassed for valid reasons, or the 'cumulative media centre' updates for a media centre i have long since disabled....

Or the windows live 2011 (1) essentials that i also don't need or want et cetera.

The time and effort (ie a few seconds to read the description) is worth it.

As also mentioned, there are the occasional kb's that cause more harm than good.


Everyone has their own routine - the manual method has personally served me well.

(1) = Optional update
(2) = Windows 7 is offered in 35 languages. After installation, users of Ultimate and Enterprise editions can download 34 language packs in addition to the language of original installation
(3) = If not optional, at least not critical update

IMO we were talking about (automatically) installing important, critical Windows updates. Optional updates are not installed even if automatic updates is enabled.

Kari

 

[smarteyeball]

Semantics Kari my friend, semantics

I always install the critical updates. - But I still do it manually. I personally prefer to to control my 'install/restart' rather than being 'reminded to'.


I was responding to another member of 'install all or be damned' in a subtle, yet obfuscated way.


Both of which no longer can have those descriptions applied

 

[DeaconFrost]

I sometimes find it annoying and bloating my HDD

If you truly feel this way, you'd be doing all of us tech professionals a favor by cancelling your internet service right away. People with your mindset are often the ones who's computers become part of a large botnet attack.

ALWAYS ALWAYS keep your OS updated.