How necessary is updating at all

[Joe West]

I guess I'm of the school, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. I've recently upgraded my os from xp pro that I've had on my Home built i5 for years without updating XP ever, to win 7 ultimate to take advantage of 64 bit memory for video editing.

All my needed programs run fine, why should I even look for update issues? If it's worry of hacking, can't that be addressed via anti virus / anti malware, and firewalls?

I've never had a problem before, and I clone my fresh install immediately after all my video programs are installed. I'm not sure I want to create an issue where all is ok now.

Thoughts? are there other reasons I should be concerned? thanks ....

 

[Joe West]

over 150 reads, no one has a thought on reasons to update but everyone is doing it? I really want to be sure I'm not missing a critical issue such as hardware incompatibility, or software issues that I may not have run across yet. thanks for reading.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hello and welcome Joe well mate the update situation is in my mind in such a convoluted mess after the upgrade to 10 business that it would appear to me that perhaps this is one way of lessening the support for 7.

But that is my perhaps rather cynical way of seeing what is going on because my machines have "downloaded" for several hours without outcome and when they have eventually done so and set to install they fail. In addition to that the 10 installs I do run never fail to download and install updates:sarc:

I have given up worrying about it to be honest all of my machines are running ok without the updates.

 

[torchwood]

Hi Joe,

As you have a reletively new install and it includes service pack 1, (*and Netframework 4.x?).
which means you have all the required components, (*), for any future new programs.
(I mentioned this as you mentioned Video recording, which will be delivered in a different way soon.)
Then your nearly upto date anyway, and MS's current record for bug free updates isnt good .

No comp is ever 100% safe from malware, thats a fact of life, once your upto date install an AV and malwarebytes.

As for future updates, the introduction of the "roll-up" means you can allways go for a one hit update every X months, back-up first.

Its a personal choice at the end of the day, lots of people are shying away from them, and only updating when neccessary.
I've not seen the posting on security sub-forums sites increasing, a good warning indicator.

One last comment, W7 is the most pirated program ever - especially Ultimate!! out there, i hope you didn't buy yours on the cheap its very hard to come by now, you should have a system Builder or Retail version.
Buy badly and your likely to be in trouble from the get go

Roy

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Very well put Roy and I am glad I am not imagining all this stuff that is going on with updates because as I mentioned updates for 10 are instant and have no hiccups since I have been running 10 OS, whereas there is so much time wasted trying to get 7 updates. There has to be a reason:sarc:

 

[torchwood]

Just waiting for the divorce case to rear its head, obviously the grounds are Adultery

Roy

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Just waiting for the divorce case to rear its head, obviously the grounds are Adultery

Roy

:roflmao:

 

[Joe West]

Thanks all for the replies. My vers. 7 is a legit one, my video editing consists of analog to digital vhs conversions and subsequent menuing using adobe premiere. I've installed net framework also.

I guess I have sp1 ... lol, I don't know. I have to check. I'm on my tablet now.

Thanks again all.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Using system images it's really too easy to undo windows updates if they do happen to mess up something....
Imaging with free Macrium
No real reason not to update windows just use the security only rollups like most of use do
KB3207752 and KB3212642 Update for Windows 7 SP1

 

[MoxieMomma]

Hi:

If it's worry of hacking, can't that be addressed via anti virus / anti malware, and firewalls?

No.
No security program or group of programs can protect a vulnerable, unpatched OS.
In today's threat landscape, keeping one's OS, programs, browsers, plug-ins and other applications is just one layer to reducing one's vulnerability.
Even "savvy" and "advanced" users practicing "safe hex" can be hit with malware and other security problems.

I've never had a problem before,

Then you are probably both smart/savvy/careful and a bit lucky.
But that justification for dropping Windows Updates would be akin to using the fact that one's house never burned down as a rationale for dropping one's homeowner's insurance.

As far as "convoluted" updates for Win7, it's really quite simple now.
Like it or not, MS has moved to a "Windows as a service" model for Win7 updates similar to that for Win10.
Instead of 10, 15 or more individual patches every month, there is basically just one large "roll-up"(not counting separate .NET Framework patches and KB890830 (MSRT)).
The Roll-Up contains both Security AND "Quality" Patches.
However, as was mentioned already, there is an option to manually install ONLY the Security Rollup, if one wishes.
This thread contains an illustration and a link to the MS source article:

MS Announces Changes to Massive Monthly Patches (7/8/8.1)

This thread provides the relevant links for January 2017's Rollups (Thanks, Brink!):

KB3207752 and KB3212642 Update for Windows 7 SP1

I cannot think of a compelling reason to avoid taking at least the security updates.
It would be akin to storing valuables in one's house in a dangerous neighborhood, but leaving all the doors and windows unlocked.
And GWX ended months ago, so fear of getting Win10 in a secret updates is unwarranted.
Moreover, TBH, the "Quality" patches for Win7 have been pretty much trouble-free for many months.

But it is -- as always -- up to the user whether or not to update/patch one's OS.

Cheers,
MM