Which MS updates do I really need and which can I ignore

[tomseeley]

I'm running Win 7 home premium 64 bit on an HP desktop. I use the latest version of Firefox. I never use any version of MSIE unless some web site I have to use makes me use MSIE to work right. That almost never happens, so MSIE is not important to me at all.

I'm satisfied with all of my current settings. I have Windows set to alert me to new updates but to let me pick and choose which ones to install rather than just installing all of them.

I always choose the ones related to Win 7 and Microsoft Office 2010 (but only Excel, Word, and Powerpoint. I don't have Access).

But I have no idea at all what Microsoft.net is, so I always skip those updates.

Am I making a mistake?

What IS Microsoft.NET framework, anyway? Why should I care? :huh:

Thx in advance.

Tom

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
A bit complicated
.NET Framework - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[NoelDP]

Do NOT ignore ANY updates.
Only make informed decisions.
ALL Security updates must be installed. Other important updates should also be installed.
The rest are really up to you.

.NET is a programming platform - and is often not required, however it's pre-installed on all versions of Windows since Vista, and MUST be updated to keep the system secure.

 

[bawldiggle]

@tomseeley

IE is integral part of Windows. Windows Updates uses IE and so do a lot of 3rd party programs.
- we do not see the IE window but it is there running in the background delivering "stuff" to our Windows PC
- MS applications (Word, Excel etc) use IE in the background to check for updates, and so do a lot of other 3rd party programs.

I would recommend you DO update IE because IE is used for aspects of Windows we don't ever see
- holes in IE are used by baddies to infiltrate our PCs, because IE is on every Windows PC, so it pays to keep IE updated
- in MS Office ... "Internet Explorer" engine is used for some VBA (code) expressions. IE is not just a browser.

Like you I avoid IE ... only used in dire emergencies.
Recently I changed my AV provider but their safe banking feature will not "play" with my preferred browser mozilla "PaleMoon"
- my AV providers will not accommodate "other" browsers
- so I have resorted to using IE just for secured banking
Now my new AV is nagging to update Windows ... but I will only install essential updates

Several years ago I tried uninstalling IE in XP and screwed my PC ... requiring a re-install of WinXP.
- there are some things we just have to live with.