General confusion concerning Windows Updates

[grits]

It used to be that everything was checked by default when I opened that page but this time the 3 for .NET weren't checked but they're 'Recommended'. ????

I got KB2834140 this time but I had 'Hidden' KB2670838 when it came out 'cuz I wasn't sure I really needed it, something about 'Platform', so do I hide it too?

I always click on the "More info" link to see if I can possibly make sense of the update so really got lost on KB2808679 when the 'info' page open up with info on XP, although it did go further into others.

Am also confused anymore (liked XP's better) over the status of updates, I understand 'Critical', but now we have Important, Recommended, Moderate, etc.

I have updates set to Notify me instead of Auto due to recommendation of most of what I've read here at forum & always do just a couple or so at a time "just in case".

Does anyone have any suggestions for a dummy?
Thanks.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Well grits dummy myself but I leave mine set for auto let me know there are update available see pic.

That way you can see what level they are on. I always download and install recommended / important upwards and one more thing I do is when you get a large batch in best do them in smaller numbers say 10 instead of the whole 25. That way too if one causes a real problem or you suspect it does you can restore reasonably quickly and accurately.

When you get the hidden ones mate just copy them and paste to a Google search to see what it is

 

[Brink]

Hello Grits,

I like to use the setting John posted above as well for the same reasons.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2797-windows-update-settings-change.html
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The link below at Microsoft can help explain the types of Windows Updates that are available.

Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates
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Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[grits]

Thanks guys, I was under the impression that my only other choice would automatically install them. Dummy me, I should have read it better. I do like your choices better.

Any idea as to why .NET wasn't checked this time? It has been in the past.

 

[derekimo]

Any idea as to why .NET wasn't checked this time? It has been in the past.

Those are usually unchecked on mine too, left for the second round of installation.

 

[Brink]

Yep, some released updates must be installed in a certain order, so only some are checked by default for the first round of installations, then they'll be checked when checking afterwards.

 

[grits]

Guess I used wrong terms in my original post, just went to change my settings for updates & found that I'm the same as you guys are. Now have 2 left before the .NET's but will have to do some study on 2834140 first 'cuz I have 2670838 'Hidden' due to not understanding whether or not it would apply to me.

 

[Brink]

Windows Updates would only have updates available that apply to your system.