A Windows Update and a Software Protection question

[Megidolaon]

Which windows updates should I install? Is there a rule of thumb?
I know some updates can cause trouble instead of fixing it (and I just read anything about Windows Update is usually a bad idea) but is there a rule of thumb about which updates to instal and which to ignore?

Also, how does the Software Protection Service and the SSP Notifcation Service work?
I just noticed I had to start Software Protection to even activate my copy of windows and I read that if I don't have it running for a few hours, windows 7 will start telling me it's not genuine again.
I also heard conflicting things about whether or not it influences windows update.

Does Software Protection do anything else? Can I just keep it running or could it bother me with some random nonsense (like telling me not certified programs are priated or god knows what else)?

Thanks.

 

[whs]

1. There is no rule of thumb concerning the updates. I usually install all of them and never had a problem.

2. Concerning your 'not genuine', you better call Sony. That is not normal and after 30 days the system will shut down on you.

 

[Megidolaon]

Not genuine?
Sony?
What?
I got a legit copy of windows 7, bought it around March. But I had disabled the Software Protection Service and it caused windows to get all paranoid on me.
Now I just wanna know what exactly the Software Protection Service does because it seems that I have no choice but to keep it running at all times.

 

[whs]

Many times, services have multiple purposes. I don't know about this one, but shutting it off may not be such a swift idea.

I once shut off the defrag service. But then I could not shrink any volumes any more in Disk Management. Who would have thunk.

 

[Megidolaon]

Well, in the depencies tab there is nothing listed under services that depend on it.

 

[whs]

I have no problem if you want to go by that. Why don't you just turn it on and see what happens - rather than debating.

 

[NoelDP]

The Software Protection Service - among other things - runs the parts of Windows that check the system for being genuine (which is why it MUST be enabled at all times)
Disabling the service effectively breaks the terms of the license to which you agreed when you installed the OS.
It's for this reason that when the service is disabled, you will eventually get a non-genuine notification, and a black background (as well as limitations on what you are allowed to to)