Understand Windows Update Settings For Vista

Windows Update Settings For Vista

Windows Update for Vista

• Install updates automatically – Microsoft recommends this setting for most users, because it requires no intervention by the user. All updates are automatically completed in the background.

  The only problem with this setting is that updates like the Vista SP2 are rated “Important” (meaning that it will automatically download and install whether you want it or not – if SP2 causes problems on your computer, this is not good).
  
  

• Download updates but let me choose whether to install them – This settings causes the utility to work in the background, download all updates, then you choose which ones to install.

  With this setting you get to choose which patch to install; but the process will take Internet bandwidth to download files you may not want. In other words, your Internet may become slow for a while (during download) without any gain to you.
  
  

• Check for updates but let me choose whether to download and install them – This provides the user a lot of flexibility, provided the user doesn't mind an active role in the Windows Update process. Windows checks on all available updates, you choose the ones to download and install. If you are trying to avoid the Vista SP2 update, this is the setting you may want to use.
  
  
• Never check for updates – Microsoft does not recommend this setting; but do I, if you can remember to check for updates once a week - this is important. It effectively turns off the Windows Update function.

• Windows Update Settings For Vista
• Two Other Settings for Windows Update