Win XP updates. Which to choose?

[rbuck]

I loaded Win XP Home Ed. Upgrade and then ran the SP1A update cd. Now I notice on the "ONLINE WIN XP UPDATE" menu there are many upgrades to download and install. My problem is which do I need and which do I already have thru the SP? Some I can recognize whether I need them or not by the description. Others purpose are not clearly identified.

Any suggestions?"

 

[Crybabytek]

I've been using WIN XP Home Edition now for a long time now. When it comes to Windows Update, this is my suggestion based on a lot of Xperience:

Only download SECURITY and PATCHES.

I used to download a lot of the other stuff they present, but like a lot of people, unless one is an IT Specialist, I have found that either I don't understand Microsoft's lengthy explanations of just what these things are supposed to improve on my O/S or I really don't need them.

But that's just me.

 

[filthy_mcnasty]

everything under critical updates. even after you installed from sp1 cd that list would take out the stuff it already installed.

downloading anything under drivers is usually good too. unless you're using drivers that are newer than ones microsoft has tested and posted on windows update. ie, video card drivers show up on nvidia's website long before they do on windows update so if you update from nvidia's then windows will say you should update to the ones they have but you dont need to.

everything under recommended is usually not needed. read through the descriptions because some of it you WILL need. ie, directx 9.0 b run time would be good if you play games. wmp 9.0 would be good if you like it and so forth.


but definately EVERYTHING under critical

 

[StormBringer]

Download all the security updates, then look through the other stuff, some people use some of that stuff, some people don't. Some of those "recommended" updates and addons are usefull, and possibly critical if you use the applications they are associated with. I wouldn't bother with the driver updates unless you know what version of drivers you currently have for all your hardware. If you have the latest Detonators for example, and it says you need to dl these video drivers for your card, then you'd be making a mess by downloading them.

 

[olefarte]

Ditto what Storm said, I don't fool with the driver updates, because usually, they come out a long time before on the manufacturers sites, like nVidia and ATi.

I usually keep a check at manufacturers sites for new driver releases. Besides, there are a lot of updates that do not show on Microsofts site, like your anti-virus, or firewall program.

 

[negroplasty]

I agree with Ole and Storm. I only install critical updates which apply to pieces of software I use; and there isn't really any point of relying on the driver section, I personally, have found that to be quite unreliable what with recommending you install drivers for pieces of hardware you don't even have or have already installed more recent drivers for - not to mention only showing you WHQL drivers, which in cases such as NVIDIA's, are not the latest drivers .

The rest is self explanatory though; it isn't rocket science to realize you don't need an Internet Explorer patch if you use Opera. Good luck with your updates .