Don't Forget the Updates

Introduction

As the technology evolves, your computer needs to evolve with it and as issues are discovered they must be dealt with. Automatic Updates offer an efficient solution to keep pace with the evolving technology.

Different Kinds of Updates

When an operating system is created, for example Windows Xp, it is released to the public. However problems still arise even though the system went through a rigorous process of testing and retesting during its development. When bugs are discovered, programs are created to treat with these issues. These solutions are provided as updates. For example, the developers may discover that a certain program in the original Xp can be manipulated affording an intruder access to your system over the internet, new viruses may penetrate the system or that a program may crash under certain conditions. Thus some updates deal with security issues, others fix vital bugs and some provide tools that enhance the overall performance of the system. A number of updates may be bundled into a package referred to as a service pack. The first service pack for Xp was called service pack 1 (Sp1). With continual testing, Sp2 and Sp3 were created and released to the general public. This scenario goes on repeatedly. It was the same for Vista and it is not expected to be any different for Windows 7.


Automatic Updates Options

Four options are provided: "Automatic (recommended)", "Download updates for me, but let me choose when to install them", "Notify me but don't automatically download or install them. "Turn off Automatic Updates". Well turning off Automatic Updates is a bad idea - you simply will not get the essential updates that you need unless you are going to look for them yourself. And why would you want to do that? Deciding on which of the other three to activate, I guess, depends on you. If you are a person who is not too much into the technology and would like your computer to be at its best with the minimum of effort, well the first choice is for you. However,if you are the type where you want to see exactly what is going to be installed on your computer then you have a choice between the second and third options. Windows 7, Vista and Xp all have this facility. From Control Panel one may access Automatic Updates. Remember if you want your computer to treat you right, don't forget the updates.