Are optional updates necessary?

I'm having a discussion with a coulege about if it is necessary to install
the Software, Optional updates or not from Windows/Microsift update.

Is it? OK then....... If it is not necessary, then why not?

One way to look at it is if you do not use programs such as Windows Media
Player, then why bother updating it.

Another way to look at it is if you have not installed these updates, and an
unused\not updated application is opened, then you could be vulnerable to an
exploit.

As an example, the .Net framework is an optional update however when you do
install it, and then check for updates again, you then see critical updates
for it. ATI videocard drivers require .Net framework.

Since these applications are a part of Windows, should they not be updated
regardless of weather they are used or not?

As for Hardware updates, I think we can all agree that obtaining drivers
from the manufacturer is best.

Thanks in advance for all your thoughts on this.

optional: Left to choice; not compulsory or automatic
"The Cool Dude" <> wrote in message
news:B1DB99B7-90F8-4A59-84B9-...
> I'm having a discussion with a coulege about if it is necessary to install
> the Software, Optional updates or not from Windows/Microsift update.
>
> Is it? OK then....... If it is not necessary, then why not?
>
> One way to look at it is if you do not use programs such as Windows Media
> Player, then why bother updating it.
>
> Another way to look at it is if you have not installed these updates, and
> an
> unused\not updated application is opened, then you could be vulnerable to
> an
> exploit.
>
> As an example, the .Net framework is an optional update however when you
> do
> install it, and then check for updates again, you then see critical
> updates
> for it. ATI videocard drivers require .Net framework.
>
> Since these applications are a part of Windows, should they not be updated
> regardless of weather they are used or not?
>
> As for Hardware updates, I think we can all agree that obtaining drivers
> from the manufacturer is best.
>
> Thanks in advance for all your thoughts on this.

"The Cool Dude" wrote:

> I'm having a discussion with a coulege about if it is necessary to install
> the Software, Optional updates or not from Windows/Microsift update.

> Is it? OK then....... If it is not necessary, then why not?

If it's not a security issue or a problem which significantly impacts
functionality, then it's generally labelled as optional.


> One way to look at it is if you do not use programs such as Windows Media
> Player, then why bother updating it.

Just because you never use it doesn't mean that other applications don't use
its' components.


> Another way to look at it is if you have not installed these updates, and an
> unused\not updated application is opened, then you could be vulnerable to an
> exploit.

If ithere were a vulnerability, the patch would not be labelled as optional.


> As an example, the .Net framework is an optional update however when you do
> install it, and then check for updates again, you then see critical updates
> for it. ATI videocard drivers require .Net framework.

I think failing to do security patches is foolish nowadays.


> Since these applications are a part of Windows, should they not be updated
> regardless of weather they are used or not?

That's what I do, since they may get used someday anyway, or an exploit may
manage to use them.


> As for Hardware updates, I think we can all agree that obtaining drivers
> from the manufacturer is best.

Microsoft drivers tend to be more stable, while manufacturer drivers tend to
have more features.

--Scott.

No, they are optional.
If they were necessary, they would be High Priority.

Optional have no effect on security and will not resolve performance issues.

High Priority are mostly security issues but also include fixes for
performance issues such as blue screens

--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar
http://www.dts-l.org


"The Cool Dude" <> wrote in message
news:B1DB99B7-90F8-4A59-84B9-...
> I'm having a discussion with a coulege about if it is necessary to install
> the Software, Optional updates or not from Windows/Microsift update.
>
> Is it? OK then....... If it is not necessary, then why not?
>
> One way to look at it is if you do not use programs such as Windows Media
> Player, then why bother updating it.
>
> Another way to look at it is if you have not installed these updates, and
> an
> unused\not updated application is opened, then you could be vulnerable to
> an
> exploit.
>
> As an example, the .Net framework is an optional update however when you
> do
> install it, and then check for updates again, you then see critical
> updates
> for it. ATI videocard drivers require .Net framework.
>
> Since these applications are a part of Windows, should they not be updated
> regardless of weather they are used or not?
>
> As for Hardware updates, I think we can all agree that obtaining drivers
> from the manufacturer is best.
>
> Thanks in advance for all your thoughts on this.