Microsoft Updates Accumulating

Do I really need all of these Windows updates?..(106) to date..They keep accumulating and I dont want them bogging down my system

 

really they are just patching security holes the hackers find and to protect from malware. they are important to have installed.

you need them

 

Appreciate that..Im just letting them install

 

In most cases, these updates replace old wrong code with new fixed code, so I don't see why would them "bog down" your system.

 

Its time for a freakin' SP2 for Windows 7

100+ updates is no fun to install when you format your system

 

you could always save an image weekly or monthly.

sure beats reformatting and re-installing all that stuff.

 

It really depends on what it is. I learned a long time ago that just because MS says it's critical doesn't necessarily make it so. I always update the security patches and the ones that say "Update for Windows Vista" or whatever the operating system is. And the Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool. It's a good thing to have and run once in awhile. And updates for Internet Explorer. If an update is huge, I think twice before installing it. In my opinion, .NET Framework is the biggest scam and waste of space I've ever seen.

 

As a project manager at a software company I must say that as much as some people don't like .NET it really is the only option for Windows development on current versions of Windows. VB6 is dead and other alternatives are too time consuming.

I really would like to see SP2. I really haven't seen a bad Windows Update in a decade, so I do not worry about installing them at this point.

 

I have to agree with you on the net.framework being a waste of time..but a gentleman told me once that eventually most software companies will require net framework to download anything

 

If the problem is too much space used, you can delete in C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution the files stored in the folders DataStore and Download: you don't need them unless you want to uninstall some update; same in C:\WINDOWS the files in the folders ie7updates and ie8updates; same, in C:\WINDOWS the hidden unistall files.

p.s. not needed, but you might want to make an image before deleting.

 

Same gent who told you your VCR tapes would never stand and that betamax was the way to go, by any chance?

You can pick and choose your updates. If you have a lot of computer security savvy, that's the way to go. If you don't, then install all security updates. And install them when they're released, not a few weeks or months down the road.

Optional non-security updates are of course optional. If some software you run requires a particular version of .NET Framework (each version is different), then obviously you need that version. If nothing you run requires any version of .NET Framework, then you don't need it installed at all. All depends.
Personal computers require personal decisions to be made about them.

People who don't install their security updates are the low-hanging fruit the bad guys regularly feast upon.

 

Just remember that if you run Vista or 7 you will get .NET installed as part of the OS. Keep it updated if you have it.

 

Couldn't agree more. At least as far as security updates are concerned.

I'm not overly familiar with Vista or Win7. Does the OS itself require .NET? Is it not uninstallable if the user should want to do so?

 

I think .NET Framework really depends on who you are and what kind of computing you do. If it's a company and they depend on something that requires .NET then maybe they have to have it, or likewise with an individual who absolutely has to have it for something. But the impression MS want everyone to have is that it's critical and you can't live without it. It's like cell phones. Purveyors of cell phones and cell phone services want everyone to think they're mandatory. I drank the kool-aid once and had a cell phone but I doubt I ever will again. I simply don't need it. Same thing with .NET, a lot of stuff might eventually require it, but I don't need a lot of stuff.

 

ABee, Vista comes with all version through 3.0. That's all I've got, I haven't installed any others. I don't think they can be easily uninstalled, at least not through Programs & Features (Add or Remove Programs in XP). I wouldn't uninstall them anyway since the OS probably requires them. The bloat factor really isn't too bad until you get to 3.5 and 4. I personally would never install 4 on XP. It completely messes up the boot process every time you install .NET updates.

 

If I remember correctly Vista comes with .NET 3.0 and 7 with 3.5. It's just part of the default installation. It could likely be removed but I have far too many programs that need it to consider doing so.

 

How so? I have not noticed it.

 

Windows 7 comes with both .NET 3.5 and 4.0

no problems at all with boot process here.

 

I have a couple of things that use it too. I understand it's part of a default installation, but is it necessary to the OS itself?

Microsoft includes things-- like trial versions of Office, e.g., or I suppose now Silverlight, too-- that aren't necessary to the basic operation of the OS.

I imagine .NET Framework fits that same category? Certainly you can run XP without any version of it installed.

 

The boot problem is with the .NET Framework 4 Ngen service
on XP. It's well-documented. A quick search and you can find all you care to know.