how often should we run windows update?

How often should we schedule it, without too much inconvenience?

 

I believe MS releases patches every second Tuesday each month.

 

I have WU set to notify me when updates are available, but not to automatically download/install them. I find that to be very convenient. Since there are sometimes new Windows Defender definitions on a daily basis (not always, but it happens) I stay up to date this way.

 

I currently am allowing Windows to update automatically. It's the most convenient, since it requires no user participation. If for whatever reason you dislike doing this, once a week is likely sufficient if you have 3rd party protection software. If using Windows Defender and Firewall, I'd like it to check for updates everyday.

 

I just have Windows update notify me when there are updates. I usually only apply them when I am ready for a reboot; every 1 or 2 months.

 

If you have the automatic service deactiveted, then once every month.

I have it deactivated, it's just a waste of memory, cpu power, ... if I only need it once in a month.

 

How much memory and CPU power could it possibly use?

 

It is a known fact that Windows Update is the sole cause of global warming

 

Depends on what you mean by "too much inconvenience." What's inconvenient to me may not be inconvenient to you, and vice versa, depending on everything from hardware configurations to personal preferences, to basic personality types, like Type-A or Passive-aggressive, or any of the funkier classifications one can find in the DSM.

 

ok, how about never. like most people, i use 3rd party firewall and virus checkers so none of micr$oft "security" (very loose term here) is on. i think in the last 2 years i have maybe 2 or 3 hotfixes which were one-off downloads for very specific purposes on my vista 64 and same for my XP. i have a message (from office computer) which says something like "You need to apply this hot fix if the last hot fix no ?????? caused your computer to malfunction" thats enough for me.
maybe the hot-fix is some kind of comforter for the masses, makes them feel safe. anyone know just how many ms hotfixes have been issued? doesnt say much for initial testing.
my 2c

 

^^ I think a virus got to your spelling.

Eek.

 

Windows updates are not only for security related issues, there are application/device compatibility updates and drivers. No harm in updating, but there is a always a chance to get in to trouble if you don't. Therefore my advice is to leave it ON (automatic).

 

I set it to install new updates automatically on daily interval. It's the most convenient.

 

. XP - Automatic checking and downloading - I reserve the right to go through the KBs first

. Vista - automatic check, download, install and be do ne with it

cheers ...

 

@PhoenixFix "No harm in updating" - thats not my experience
"application/device compatibility updates and drivers" - so if you get a new device, do you just plug it in and see if it plays using some or other generic driver from m$? it will almost certainly come with an installation disc, far the best way to go. but each to his own...

 

For me its automatic checking - but manual download and instal.
Dowloading can be a potential nuissance - for example if your internet connection isn't the fastest.
(Geting about 4MB/s (3 sometimes) paying for 8MB/s just to get the unlimited access....)

In my case it just says "search for updates" - I suspect it may be whenever I start my laptop....

(PS: Vista Business)

 

actually, it delivers the drivers that got certified by microsoft from the actual vendor. so no driver from microsoft coming to my geforce. only the ones that went trough certification from nvidia come to it. those are always the drivers from the vendor.

there's just one update i disable: on certain winXP, it wants to update the sound driver (a realtec onboard soundcard) which then doesn't play any sound anymore.

except for that, always on, EVERYWHERE. the only real way to go.

on systems that have to run while idling, consider setting to download only (on xp).