Solved Best Option settings for updates

[coaster]

Hello,
i have been setting up windows 7 (64 bit) on a laptop for a friend who's not very computer savvy. Even worse than me. I've agreed to help him with it but don't see him often, (about every 3 months) should i set Win updates to full automatic or use the "download but let me choose which updates to install" option? The reason i ask is that some people tell me updates sometimes go wrong and cause problems. He doesn't store any info. Such as bank details so not as concerned about data theft and only in touch with him about every 3 months. Any suggestions as to the best option to use?

 

[M1GU31]

I would set it to just install important updates only and to download and install automatically. Usually how I set it up for people when restoring their machines to a clean install. Most ppl won't remember to install updates and it will just sit in the task bar saying it has new updates and they might not notice it. I believe that would be the best option for someone who is not the most tech savvy.

 

[Brink]

Hello Coaster,

Since you do not know how well he maintains his system, it may be best to set Windows Updates to automatically update and install them. Only the critical, important, and recommended updates gets installed automatically anyways. This way at least these will be installed for him until he installs any available optional updates.

Hope this helps some,
Shawn

 

[jcaswell]

I 'look after' a couple of people's computers who are not very computer savvy, and find that they get confused with the auto download and install. I set them up to do 'notify' and load Team Viewer onto their machine. Then every now and again I log on to their machines remotely and do a sweep through of the suggested and recommended updates.

Team Viewer also allows me to help them when they do something that they cannot got out of by seeing what is going on. Thoroughly recommend it for doing this - it can be set up to allow me in at any time, or only when they are there to watch what I am doing

 

[coaster]

Thanks to all, for all the info.
Just al thought, could i set updates to fully automatic, but delay it for a week? The idea being if microsoft release an update that causes problems, it will be withdrawn before his sheduled update starts .

 

[Brink]

Sorry, but there's not a delay setting.

If you like, you could make sure that System Protection is turned on for the Windows drive (C: ). This way if an update causes an issue, he could just to do a system restore to undo it.

 

[coaster]

Ok.. Brill.. Cheers, think i understand a lot more and know what to do now

thanks brink, jcaswell and migu31. Will get it sorted )

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome Coaster. Glad we could help.