Keeping up with the Windows
If you are a Microsoft Windows user you will probably have noticed that from time to time a little yellow icon appears in your system tray (usually at the bottom right hand side of your screen), telling you that updates are ready to download or install. These releases are free, and are Microsoft’s way of fixing bugs, addressing new security breaches and providing updates to core pieces of software. While you can optionally visit the Windows update homepage and search for a whole host of potentially useful updates and patches, the little yellow icon in the bottom right of your screen will notify you of ‘critical’ updates as they become available.
A lot of people tend to ignore this yellow icon when it appears, treating it with suspicion, wariness and disinterest. On some occasions this possibly happens with some justification, considering the advice of IT security experts to be cautious of anything trying to gain access to your computer. But over time, those who do not accept these new offerings could be setting themselves up for some problems. Here are three of the main reasons for your operating system up to date:
Compatibility: Latest versions of essential, core software ensures compatibility with new and emerging software and hardware as it is released. A friend of mine who recently bought herself a new mp3 player complained to me that it was broken, and that she would have to take it back. Her computer would not recognise the device when it was plugged in, and so no songs could be transferred. On taking a look I noticed that she was running a version of Windows XP that hadn’t been updated in around 4 years! No wonder it didn’t recognise the mp3 player - it had no chance, as the drivers (that tell your computer how to talk to other pieces of hardware) required for her new mp3 player were not present on her computer. The last time she updated her computer the technology being used by her new player may not even have been in use. By spending a considerable amount of time installing all the updates available, we got her mp3 player working.
Security: Over the years Microsoft have had some problems with hackers looking to exploit weaknesses in the software giant’s products. Every time a new flaw is exposed, Microsoft will work quickly to release a patch that protects users and prevents the malicious code or software causing harm. Security threats can range from a traditional virus that damages data on your hard drive, to a sophisticated script that secretly records your bank details so you can be relieved of your cash at a later date. If you do not accept Windows patches and updates you are not protecting your system against these known threats.
Functionality: It is quite rare now, especially with Windows XP as it is coming to the end of its life, but occasionally updates still include new elements of functionality that either provide you with more flexibility, or make completing tasks easier. The biggest set of changes came a few years ago when a host of features, such as the Windows Security Centre, were added to Windows XP.
As we’ve already established, Windows updates are released on an ongoing basis as and when required. In addition, from time to time Microsoft make planned service pack releases. These collate all the patches and updates from the previous period into one easy install, saving IT administrators a lot of time when setting up new computers and making life easier for users who have recently decided to update their system. Windows XP has had two service packs to date, with a third and final one due in the second quarter of 2008. It will consolidate into a single install hundreds of hot fixes shipped since the release of service pack two (SP2), over three years ago. In addition there will be four minor new features mainly concerned with behind the scenes processes related to networking, although there will also be a product key-less install option for new software installs.
If you have been keeping your computers up to date with Windows updates then installing SP3 will be a minor affair. If you have not, however, then this is a great opportunity to get the last few years updates installed on your computer in a relatively painless way.
Tips:
- Enable automatic update on all your PCs so that updates are downloaded and installed automatically as they become available
- Combine Windows and Microsoft updates so that all you Microsoft software products are updated automatically
Related content:
Keeping laptops & PCs Safe and Secure
