Why so many updates all the time?

[Scottyboy99]

Are all these relentless updates necessary all the time? I dread patch tuesday and I can't help thinking that many of them are just Microsoft tinkering/ changing for the sake of change. We have no real idea what they are throwing down the pipe wrapped as very generic explanations. I wish they'd give it a rest. I read so many horror stories about windows updates bricking machines I wonder if it's worth the stress and hassle. I've been reasonably lucky, only a couple hiccups since I got my laptop a couple years ago but it doesn't stop my concerns when they install.

They are not alone, it seems to be the way these days. Apple are the same with constant ios updates which have a great ability to break functionality and introduce just as many bugs as they claim to fix.

Sorry I am sounding off more than asking for any pearls of wisdom - it's just been another stressful evening of updates and then testing the laptop in the aftermath to ensure Microsoft hasn't crippled it!

 

[pbcopter]

If it weren't for all those entities that have nothing better to do than look for ways to gain access to our systems for malevolent purposes there might not be a need for so many updates.


For the record, I have never had a system "bricked" nor had any functionality broken by any Windows update.

 

[JDobbsy1987]

Every piece of software has vulnerabilities and the more common that software is the more prone it is to attacks such as Microsoft OS/Office hence the amount of updates, as and when security holes are found they need patching. We will never have the perfect OS that doesn't have a security hole and therefore updates will continue.

I personally have only had 1 issue after Windows updates and that was with some bespoke software that just needed a tick in a box to resolve, this is a very good stat based on the hundreds of PC's i support at work which have all updates pushed out to them.

This ranges from Windows XP, Vista, 7 and now 8.x

Regards,
Jamie

 

[Scottyboy99]

Yeah I guess your right - I just get frustrated that there are so many and with such regularity. I think I just read so many people have issues although I have escaped. I do remember a system update that was released pre internet explorer 10 to prep it causing widespread grief. I can't remember the kb but it was an ie10 pre requisite. People with hybrid gpu setups got burned and it's made me wary ever since!

 

[Callender]

Windows Updates

My thoughts: I always make a system image backup before Patch Tuesday and if there are any problems I don't worry too much. Updates are usually important security fixes or bug fixes. I wait for around a week after installing updates before running Windows Updates cleanup just in case they've released a faulty update.

This time around I've had to run a couple of fixes to repair Windows Updates before it would work. It's the first problem that I've had with Windows Updates for at least one year!

 

[carwiz]

You're complaining about updates once a month?

Don't you have an AV? They update once or twice a day. Or should.

 

[Ranger4]

I have never had a problem with Windows updates. Today's update was a big one with 143Mb & 14 updates. Installed straight up, one restart & all done.
There's no point in complaining about updates as they keep your computer as safe as possible in conjunction with an AV program.

 

[Layback Bear]

Most that have a problem with Windows 7 updates had a problem before the updates.
Windows Updates are good things.

I updated both my systems yesterday with no problems.
Then I ran this. Disk Cleanup Extended by Bare Foot Kid. Part of what it cleans up is left over junk from the Windows Updates.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/76383-disk-cleanup-extended.html

 

[OvenMaster]

I had 12 updates, including one to install SP1... I thought that one was a bit odd. No troubles yet, but before every update session, I save every update and make a fresh Macrium Reflect image of my boot drive, just in case.

You never know when Windows will blow up in your face.

 

[Layback Bear]

I often do you do Windows 7 Updates OvenMaster?

You should of got SP-1 a long time ago.