updates in italics?

In Win 7 on this Netbook that I just installed on, some of the updates in Windows Update are in Italics, and some are not. What does this mean?

They are Windows 7 Ultimate updates that are optional i.e. it is not essential to install them on your system.

If you are not sure what an update is for, just select it and check the explanation on the right-hand side of your display.

If you don't want an update, just right-click it and select Hide and it won't be offered again unless you subsequently unhide it.

My optional updates also appear in italics on 7 Pro.

It happens on all versions of Windows 7, the italics just signify the updates are for Ultimate and therefore you don't need to install them if you are using Home Premium or Professional.

Bit of a daft idea, if you ask me. Surely, it can't be too difficult for Microsoft to ensure you only get offered updates that are relevant to whicherever version you're using?

I think you'll find that the optional updates that ARE relevant to your system are not shown in italics.

I personally am running 7 Professional, but this one that I was working on was 7 Ultimate.

I have never before seen the italic updates, but they installed just fine.

I wish that I could do a screen shot, but they're no longer there.

But thank you everybody

I present the evidence from my Windows 7 Professional laptop: