Choosing Manual Windows Updates

FCUSA · Jan 3, 2011

Hello Folks -

In working my way through the many suggestions over the past several weeks, I am at changing the Automatic Windows Update to Manual!

I pulled up the screen - it said there were no updates and after changing from Automatic to Let me Choose, suddenly there are 20 (18 selected) Important Updates and 4 optional.

I really don't know how to choose these as Vista was doing it. I also see 'install updates' but I thought it was best to install them separately?

Please help/explain.

Thank you!

richc46 · Jan 3, 2011

Our tutorials on update.
Be sure to see links toward the end of tutorial
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/72491-windows-update.html
To be sure that you do not miss it, here is the important one from the bottom of the page
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/120695-windows-update-windows-automatic-updating.html
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/help/windows-update

And yes install a few at at time

Lottiemansion · Jan 3, 2011

Hi,

So, if you didn't select any of the possible updates from the "Tick boxes" & you leave the selection as it. The fact that you say they were selected when you got to the update screen then this is what would have downloaded & installed by auto update.

You select each one by the "tick box" at the side of each update & the install updates button is used to install the selected updates.

As for you selecting optional updates THE MOST IMPORTANT bit is : -

Do not install any Microsoft drivers for none microsoft devices (Third party, ie Graphics, network cards, modems etc. etc.)

Do not install drivers from the update website unless it is for a Microsoft keyboard, mouse or something from microsoft!

Auto update generally does a good job at prioritising which update should be done first & which ones are tied together & are inter linked (dependant on each other).

So in a nut shell, the choice is your but I have mine on auto update & it does a very good job.

FCUSA · Jan 3, 2011

I will revisit the Tutorial - most (at least at this time simply do not mean much to me).

I also have had success with Auto Update (on the Vista - knock on wood), but the other day had a problem with W7, which made me rethink this. I think I may have messed up - I changed it back to Auto Update and it still brought me back to the list of updates.

Is it advised to set a restore point before doing this? And do a couple at a time vs individual?

richc46 · Jan 3, 2011

On my computer I do two or there at a time. System restore is set automatically before each set of updates. This occurs on update Tuesday of each Month.
Dont worry about the MSE updates.
Probles occur with the updates that have to restart the computer.

FCUSA · Jan 3, 2011

Update Tuesday? See I didn't know that. It has all been in the background.

You also raise a point about System Restore - when I looked the other day at the Tutorial and the automatic trigger settings - it seemed like I should have many restore points, but I do not believe there are.

richc46 · Jan 3, 2011

You may not have enough space
They may have been deleted
or
when you see the dates be sure to check the box lower left, Show more dates
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/76227-system-restore-disk-space.html

Set it to manual, every second Tuesday you will get a bundle. Every day or so you get MSE updates. They are usually automatic and thats ok.

FCUSA · Jan 3, 2011

Thank you both for your input!

Believe it or not I have actually spent much time going over the Tutorials, manuevering through the steps to become familiar hoping I can plow through the many suggestions (and various questions that came up for me during the past two weeks) one by one. It is in actually, I seemed to get stumped! And now I have __load of updates sitting. I clicked on several and most say it may require restarting and why are the publish dates so old - one I noticed quickly is 2009?

richc46 · Jan 3, 2011

If you have SP1 and 2 you can just hide the old ones.
I would start installing with 2009.
Look at the list of installed updates if not listed, you might as well instal it. Be sure it is applicable to your comptuer and/or software.

FCUSA · Jan 3, 2011

OK - If I reset to back to Auto Update and just close out of this - will it do what it has always done - that is Auto Update what it needs to including these? Unfortunately, I really don't (sad to say) know exactly what does pertain to my system right now.

RE: The Disk space for Restore Point - I must have been looking at a different Tutorial because none of that looked familiar to me (maybe it was over at 7F) - because I did manage to see the space and believe it was set at 10GB (on the machine with Windows7 that is).

Thank you - I guess I need to try to comprehend all this a bit more

richc46 · Jan 3, 2011

I will give you all the attention that you need.
Try to install the updates. When you have a problem, just ask.
Lets begin now. Begin to install and
Start with this turorial. Scroll down the page for other tutorials pertaiing to the same subject. If you still dont see what you need to answer your question, ask.
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/72491-windows-update.html

FCUSA · Jan 3, 2011

Thank you for your patience - first, I am already at the install window with the list of 20 important updates and 18 supposedly are checked (haven't actually counted them)

In you link - although, I have seen the part about 'hiding updates' I am not certain I understand why you would.

EDIT: I believe my setting is to receive updates Windows and other products from Microsoft - is that the correct setting?

richc46 · Jan 3, 2011

If and when you hide it means you do not want to install that update; either manually or automatically. If you do not hide, it will eventually be installed.

FCUSA · Jan 3, 2011

How would I know? Does Auto Update hide installs?

richc46 · Jan 3, 2011

If you have it set on automatic everything will be installed. You have to set as install yourself (what I do) and then install or hide.

FCUSA · Jan 3, 2011

Rich -

I am sorry - I still do not understand why you sent me to a link that deals with hiding/unhiding installs if while on Auto Install nothing was hidden? Am I supposed to look for hidden updates?

richc46 · Jan 3, 2011

If you are on auto install forget about the hiding. If you install yourself you hide if you do not want it installed.
While on automatic there are no hidden updates. I sent you that link so you can hide if you install yourself

FCUSA · Jan 3, 2011

OK - I see what you are saying and with all due respect I would not know what to hide as I am not sure what to install - ie there are 7 updates alone that simply say Update for Windows Vista for x64 (with different numbers)

My 20 updates (where only 18 were checked - now all 20 are checked!)

anyway 12 deal with Vista
1 is Windows Live (I do not use it - so I guess I know the answer)
7 are Office 2007 Helps

Opptional - I guess I would need to look at them a bit tomorrow to research if I have that equipment - one actually does deal with a Dell Printer driver (that is all I recognize). I will probably wait on that, but please tell me again about drivers - I know what Lottie... said and I have read much about being careful with driver downloads.

So, on updates I am unsure of like the Dell Printer - you should just hide it. If not hidden and not installed, they are just gone? Are updates that come through Windows considered 'safe' installs/updates?

richc46 · Jan 3, 2011

99% of the time the right updates are sent to you, but mistakes happen.
When you have time, install the ones you are sure of.
If you have some that refer to programs and you are not sure if you have, type the program name in search, if it does not pop up you do not have it

FCUSA · Jan 3, 2011

Your patience is paying off at least for me!! Thank you.

So, do I hide all the ones I am not installing immediately and pull them one by one for installation (since many said the computer may need to restart).

Does the list go away when the system reboots or does it remain until you do something with it ie install or hide?

Is there a quick way to see a list of restore points? And the current disk space allotted? vs the command prompt info you showed me? I thought there was a certain amount of space by default and only the older Restore Points were eliminated?

Choosing Manual Windows Updates

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