Installation order of list of updates

[grits]

I saw a post by Noel where he told the OP to install by Date, not KB# which reminded me of a question I've had for quite some time. Are updates generally listed in order of 'Importance' or 'Date' or what?

Right now I'm down to 6 updates left to do. They're all .NET Framework from the 7/9/13 list of updates & in clicking on the "More info button" they're all 7/9 & there are 4 listed for 3.5.1, then 2 listed for 4. I've read something about it's best to install these type one at a time, is that true? If so, that's 6 re-boots in a row if I were to do them all now which I kinda thought about since it's already 2 weeks past Patch Tuesday. I'm also assuming that all the Framework 3.5.1 should be done before the Framework 4.

Thanks.

 

[NoelDP]

The KB Number is generated at the start of a project - and as a results bears only some resemblance to the order in which patches are released, since some patches take longer to develop, test and approve, than others.

I generally do .NET update in increasing order by version, then date
e.g for XP, do all v1.1 then v2/3.5 - for Win7, all 3.5, then 4.5 (I've uninstalled 4.0, as it seemed always to create more problems than any other version)

 

[grits]

Thanks. I don't even know what .NET Framework is or why I have it. How would I know if it's one of them that may or may not be causing a problem with my PC?
I'm not computer smart at all so when I have a problem I come here for help but always seem to have trouble explaining just what's going on. oops, am about to get off track here so won't go any further.

 

[NoelDP]

No problem
.NET is basically an interface that manages programming, allowing quicker and more secure program development - the downside is that the programs must run in a .NET environment rather than natively in Windows, which slows things down somewhat.
Windows 7 comes with .NET 3.5 built-in. .NET v4 or 4.5 have to be installed later for some extras or applications to work properly.
.NET updates generally appear to create more problems than other updates - possibly because people are a little impatient. Many times, after installing a .NET update, then system will request a reboot, and after the reboot will be slow to respond for a few minutes while the .NET update finishes 'optimising' the installation. I suspect that many of the problems are caused by people crashing the machine and rebooting during this phase, causing problems in either registry or file system.

 

[grits]

Soooo, evidently I've installed something that required .NET 4? How do I find that application? Maybe I don't need/use it? , maybe I've already uninstalled it but WU still sees it so sends an update? Sorry to be a pest but now am really tempted to just skip the 4's.
I've never 'jumped the gun' when doing updates, always wait until I'm sure it's done before doing anything else.

 

[NoelDP]

Unfortunately there is no wau that I know to tell what programs use which version of .NET except duringthe install.
The only other way is to uninstall .NET and see what falls over.

 

[grits]

okeedokee, so for now doing just the 4 for 3.5.1, it's still recommended to install,reboot each one separately? Then maybe 'Hide' the 4's 'til I ponder about uninstalling what ever one or ones is list in Programs & Features?

 

[NoelDP]

Sounds like a plan