two automatic update questions

I have my Windows XP SP3 computer set to receive notification (but not
downloads) of automatic updates. Today someone posted about 11 new security
bulletins. I went to the Updates website, clicked on Custom, and was told
there are 12 high-priority updates for my computer. My questions:

* Does Microsoft stagger the notifications? I haven't yet received one for
this batch, and last time it came on a Wednesday.

* If I had clicked on Express, would Microsoft have immediately downloaded
and installed the updates without my further input?

Thank you!

Jo-Anne

Jo-Anne wrote:
> I have my Windows XP SP3 computer set to receive notification (but not
> downloads) of automatic updates. Today someone posted about 11 new security
> bulletins. I went to the Updates website, clicked on Custom, and was told
> there are 12 high-priority updates for my computer. My questions:
>
> * Does Microsoft stagger the notifications? I haven't yet received one for
> this batch, and last time it came on a Wednesday.

You should have gotten it. This month's updates won't be posted for
another 50 minutes. What you downloaded and installed must have been
from a previous month.

> * If I had clicked on Express, would Microsoft have immediately downloaded
> and installed the updates without my further input?

Usually unless you have to agree to an EULA, not recommended.

> Thank you!
>
> Jo-Anne

You're welcome.

Alias
>
>

Thank you, Alias! But what I downloaded and installed was the latest, and it
arrived on a Wednesday. I'll see what happens today...

I'll definitely avoid the Express button, then. Thanks again!

Jo-Anne

"Alias" <> wrote in message
news:g7sn9m$3dh$...
> Jo-Anne wrote:
>> I have my Windows XP SP3 computer set to receive notification (but not
>> downloads) of automatic updates. Today someone posted about 11 new
>> security bulletins. I went to the Updates website, clicked on Custom, and
>> was told there are 12 high-priority updates for my computer. My
>> questions:
>>
>> * Does Microsoft stagger the notifications? I haven't yet received one
>> for this batch, and last time it came on a Wednesday.
>
> You should have gotten it. This month's updates won't be posted for
> another 50 minutes. What you downloaded and installed must have been from
> a previous month.
>
>> * If I had clicked on Express, would Microsoft have immediately
>> downloaded and installed the updates without my further input?
>
> Usually unless you have to agree to an EULA, not recommended.
>
>> Thank you!
>>
>> Jo-Anne
>
> You're welcome.
>
> Alias
>>

Jo-Anne,
You're pointing to "notifications" via Windows Automatic Updates.
There is an issue of the time at which your individual pc is set to kickoff
your local automatic update client program. This normally runs once a day.
Notifications via automatic updates takes time to communicate with the MS
servers and back to your pc. It is just simply a matter the time it takes,
and the speed of your internet connection.
This does not account for your computer being turned off (powered down). If
that is the case, you're looking at more delay.
Monthly updates are "typically" released after noon-time Pacific time zone.

Lastly, the Express option at Windows Update simply skips non-priority &
optional updates.

Your setting (your choice) for Automatic Updates controls whether or not
"automatic updates" automatically downloads or updates. Do not confuse the
web Windows/Microsoft Updates with "automatic updates".

How to configure and use Automatic Updates in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306525/

MS always publishes "advance" notices of upcoming updates on at least a
couple of web pages.
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sec...s/default.mspx

http://blogs.technet.com/msrc/

http://blogs.technet.com/mu/default.aspx

Announcements are made a few days before each set of scheduled monthly
updates.

I hope this has helped and possibly clarified a few things. Also, hoping I
got the right gist of the basics. <w>
--
Maurice N
MS-MVP
--
"Jo-Anne" <> wrote in message
news:ebBAo1K$...
>I have my Windows XP SP3 computer set to receive notification (but not
>downloads) of automatic updates. Today someone posted about 11 new security
>bulletins. I went to the Updates website, clicked on Custom, and was told
>there are 12 high-priority updates for my computer. My questions:
>
> * Does Microsoft stagger the notifications? I haven't yet received one for
> this batch, and last time it came on a Wednesday.
>
> * If I had clicked on Express, would Microsoft have immediately downloaded
> and installed the updates without my further input?
>
> Thank you!
>
> Jo-Anne

Thank you, Maurice! You definitely got the right gist, and your answers are
very helpful.

Now I understand a bit more about how the notifications work. My computer
will be on all day (usually is), and my internet connection is DSL and
fairly fast. It'll be intresting to see what happens today. Actually, I can
tell when updates are released by the increase in the number of posts about
problems.

I'm aware of the difference between the notification I receive and getting
the updates at the website. What worried me is that at the update website
Microsoft offers to check on what updates are available for your computer.
If you click Custom, all it does is check and report on what you need. But
if you click Express, it looks like it will actually download and install
rather than just reporting. Do I have that right?

Thank you also for the links below. I've put them into my Google Reader, so
I'll get the updates on them. I did have the RSS feed for one of them
already in Google Reader, but it wasn't updating. Not sure why. I've tried
again.

Jo-Anne

"Maurice N ~ MVP" <> wrote in message
news:edstbRL$...
> Jo-Anne,
> You're pointing to "notifications" via Windows Automatic Updates.
> There is an issue of the time at which your individual pc is set to
> kickoff your local automatic update client program. This normally runs
> once a day.
> Notifications via automatic updates takes time to communicate with the MS
> servers and back to your pc. It is just simply a matter the time it
> takes, and the speed of your internet connection.
> This does not account for your computer being turned off (powered down).
> If that is the case, you're looking at more delay.
> Monthly updates are "typically" released after noon-time Pacific time
> zone.
>
> Lastly, the Express option at Windows Update simply skips non-priority &
> optional updates.
>
> Your setting (your choice) for Automatic Updates controls whether or not
> "automatic updates" automatically downloads or updates. Do not confuse
> the web Windows/Microsoft Updates with "automatic updates".
>
> How to configure and use Automatic Updates in Windows XP
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306525/
>
> MS always publishes "advance" notices of upcoming updates on at least a
> couple of web pages.
> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sec...s/default.mspx
>
> http://blogs.technet.com/msrc/
>
> http://blogs.technet.com/mu/default.aspx
>
> Announcements are made a few days before each set of scheduled monthly
> updates.
>
> I hope this has helped and possibly clarified a few things. Also, hoping
> I got the right gist of the basics. <w>
> --
> Maurice N
> MS-MVP
> --
> "Jo-Anne" <> wrote in message
> news:ebBAo1K$...
>>I have my Windows XP SP3 computer set to receive notification (but not
>>downloads) of automatic updates. Today someone posted about 11 new
>>security bulletins. I went to the Updates website, clicked on Custom, and
>>was told there are 12 high-priority updates for my computer. My questions:
>>
>> * Does Microsoft stagger the notifications? I haven't yet received one
>> for this batch, and last time it came on a Wednesday.
>>
>> * If I had clicked on Express, would Microsoft have immediately
>> downloaded and installed the updates without my further input?
>>
>> Thank you!
>>
>> Jo-Anne
>
>

With the online Express selection, you still have to press a button to start
the download and update. it is still a pro-active matter. Express just
skips "optional" updates; hence the moniker.

--
Maurice N
MS-MVP
--
"Jo-Anne" <> wrote in message
news:%23ESqOmL$...
> Thank you, Maurice! You definitely got the right gist, and your answers
> are very helpful.
>
> Now I understand a bit more about how the notifications work. My computer
> will be on all day (usually is), and my internet connection is DSL and
> fairly fast. It'll be intresting to see what happens today. Actually, I
> can tell when updates are released by the increase in the number of posts
> about problems.
>
> I'm aware of the difference between the notification I receive and getting
> the updates at the website. What worried me is that at the update website
> Microsoft offers to check on what updates are available for your computer.
> If you click Custom, all it does is check and report on what you need. But
> if you click Express, it looks like it will actually download and install
> rather than just reporting. Do I have that right?
>
> Thank you also for the links below. I've put them into my Google Reader,
> so I'll get the updates on them. I did have the RSS feed for one of them
> already in Google Reader, but it wasn't updating. Not sure why. I've tried
> again.
>
> Jo-Anne
>
> "Maurice N ~ MVP" <> wrote in message
> news:edstbRL$...
>> Jo-Anne,
>> You're pointing to "notifications" via Windows Automatic Updates.
>> There is an issue of the time at which your individual pc is set to
>> kickoff your local automatic update client program. This normally runs
>> once a day.
>> Notifications via automatic updates takes time to communicate with the MS
>> servers and back to your pc. It is just simply a matter the time it
>> takes, and the speed of your internet connection.
>> This does not account for your computer being turned off (powered down).
>> If that is the case, you're looking at more delay.
>> Monthly updates are "typically" released after noon-time Pacific time
>> zone.
>>
>> Lastly, the Express option at Windows Update simply skips non-priority &
>> optional updates.
>>
>> Your setting (your choice) for Automatic Updates controls whether or not
>> "automatic updates" automatically downloads or updates. Do not confuse
>> the web Windows/Microsoft Updates with "automatic updates".
>>
>> How to configure and use Automatic Updates in Windows XP
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306525/
>>
>> MS always publishes "advance" notices of upcoming updates on at least a
>> couple of web pages.
>> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sec...s/default.mspx
>>
>> http://blogs.technet.com/msrc/
>>
>> http://blogs.technet.com/mu/default.aspx
>>
>> Announcements are made a few days before each set of scheduled monthly
>> updates.
>>
>> I hope this has helped and possibly clarified a few things. Also, hoping
>> I got the right gist of the basics. <w>
>> --
>> Maurice N
>> MS-MVP
>> --
>> "Jo-Anne" <> wrote in message
>> news:ebBAo1K$...
>>>I have my Windows XP SP3 computer set to receive notification (but not
>>>downloads) of automatic updates. Today someone posted about 11 new
>>>security bulletins. I went to the Updates website, clicked on Custom, and
>>>was told there are 12 high-priority updates for my computer. My
>>>questions:
>>>
>>> * Does Microsoft stagger the notifications? I haven't yet received one
>>> for this batch, and last time it came on a Wednesday.
>>>
>>> * If I had clicked on Express, would Microsoft have immediately
>>> downloaded and installed the updates without my further input?
>>>
>>> Thank you!
>>>
>>> Jo-Anne
>>
>>
>
>

Thank you again, Maurice! Now I don't have to worry about which to choose if
I need to check in the future.

Jo-Anne

"Maurice N ~ MVP" <> wrote in message
news:ezf036L$...
> With the online Express selection, you still have to press a button to
> start the download and update. it is still a pro-active matter. Express
> just skips "optional" updates; hence the moniker.
>
> --
> Maurice N
> MS-MVP
> --
> "Jo-Anne" <> wrote in message
> news:%23ESqOmL$...
>> Thank you, Maurice! You definitely got the right gist, and your answers
>> are very helpful.
>>
>> Now I understand a bit more about how the notifications work. My computer
>> will be on all day (usually is), and my internet connection is DSL and
>> fairly fast. It'll be intresting to see what happens today. Actually, I
>> can tell when updates are released by the increase in the number of posts
>> about problems.
>>
>> I'm aware of the difference between the notification I receive and
>> getting the updates at the website. What worried me is that at the update
>> website Microsoft offers to check on what updates are available for your
>> computer. If you click Custom, all it does is check and report on what
>> you need. But if you click Express, it looks like it will actually
>> download and install rather than just reporting. Do I have that right?
>>
>> Thank you also for the links below. I've put them into my Google Reader,
>> so I'll get the updates on them. I did have the RSS feed for one of them
>> already in Google Reader, but it wasn't updating. Not sure why. I've
>> tried again.
>>
>> Jo-Anne
>>
>> "Maurice N ~ MVP" <> wrote in message
>> news:edstbRL$...
>>> Jo-Anne,
>>> You're pointing to "notifications" via Windows Automatic Updates.
>>> There is an issue of the time at which your individual pc is set to
>>> kickoff your local automatic update client program. This normally runs
>>> once a day.
>>> Notifications via automatic updates takes time to communicate with the
>>> MS servers and back to your pc. It is just simply a matter the time it
>>> takes, and the speed of your internet connection.
>>> This does not account for your computer being turned off (powered down).
>>> If that is the case, you're looking at more delay.
>>> Monthly updates are "typically" released after noon-time Pacific time
>>> zone.
>>>
>>> Lastly, the Express option at Windows Update simply skips non-priority &
>>> optional updates.
>>>
>>> Your setting (your choice) for Automatic Updates controls whether or not
>>> "automatic updates" automatically downloads or updates. Do not confuse
>>> the web Windows/Microsoft Updates with "automatic updates".
>>>
>>> How to configure and use Automatic Updates in Windows XP
>>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306525/
>>>
>>> MS always publishes "advance" notices of upcoming updates on at least a
>>> couple of web pages.
>>> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sec...s/default.mspx
>>>
>>> http://blogs.technet.com/msrc/
>>>
>>> http://blogs.technet.com/mu/default.aspx
>>>
>>> Announcements are made a few days before each set of scheduled monthly
>>> updates.
>>>
>>> I hope this has helped and possibly clarified a few things. Also,
>>> hoping I got the right gist of the basics. <w>
>>> --
>>> Maurice N
>>> MS-MVP
>>> --
>>> "Jo-Anne" <> wrote in message
>>> news:ebBAo1K$...
>>>>I have my Windows XP SP3 computer set to receive notification (but not
>>>>downloads) of automatic updates. Today someone posted about 11 new
>>>>security bulletins. I went to the Updates website, clicked on Custom,
>>>>and was told there are 12 high-priority updates for my computer. My
>>>>questions:
>>>>
>>>> * Does Microsoft stagger the notifications? I haven't yet received one
>>>> for this batch, and last time it came on a Wednesday.
>>>>
>>>> * If I had clicked on Express, would Microsoft have immediately
>>>> downloaded and installed the updates without my further input?
>>>>
>>>> Thank you!
>>>>
>>>> Jo-Anne
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

When so many updates are released on one day (i.e., more than 11), it can
take a week or so before Automatic Updates offers them.

Tip: Reboot.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
DTS-L http://dts-l.net/


Jo-Anne wrote:
> I have my Windows XP SP3 computer set to receive notification (but not
> downloads) of automatic updates. Today someone posted about 11 new
> security
> bulletins. I went to the Updates website, clicked on Custom, and was told
> there are 12 high-priority updates for my computer. My questions:
>
> * Does Microsoft stagger the notifications? I haven't yet received one for
> this batch, and last time it came on a Wednesday.
>
> * If I had clicked on Express, would Microsoft have immediately downloaded
> and installed the updates without my further input?
>
> Thank you!
>
> Jo-Anne

Thank you, Robear; it's good to know that not receiving the updates the day
they're released is normal. I reboot at least once a day. Today, the Update
icon appeared in my system tray. Now I'll wait to see what problems people
are having before I download and install them.

Jo-Anne

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" <> wrote in message
news:uC070FR$...
> When so many updates are released on one day (i.e., more than 11), it can
> take a week or so before Automatic Updates offers them.
>
> Tip: Reboot.
> --
> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
> MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
> AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
> DTS-L http://dts-l.net/
>
>
> Jo-Anne wrote:
>> I have my Windows XP SP3 computer set to receive notification (but not
>> downloads) of automatic updates. Today someone posted about 11 new
>> security
>> bulletins. I went to the Updates website, clicked on Custom, and was told
>> there are 12 high-priority updates for my computer. My questions:
>>
>> * Does Microsoft stagger the notifications? I haven't yet received one
>> for
>> this batch, and last time it came on a Wednesday.
>>
>> * If I had clicked on Express, would Microsoft have immediately
>> downloaded
>> and installed the updates without my further input?
>>
>> Thank you!
>>
>> Jo-Anne
>

Again, whatever floats your boat.

Note that at least six (6) of them address critical security
vulnerabilities. Once MS releases such updates, it's open season for the
BadGuys who will attempt to take advantage of unpatched machines.

MS does test these updates before they're released. Chances are that you
won't have a lick of problems after installing them.


Jo-Anne wrote:
> Thank you, Robear; it's good to know that not receiving the updates the
> day
> they're released is normal. I reboot at least once a day. Today, the
> Update
> icon appeared in my system tray. Now I'll wait to see what problems people
> are having before I download and install them.
>
> Jo-Anne
>
> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <> wrote in message
> news:uC070FR$...
>> When so many updates are released on one day (i.e., more than 11), it can
>> take a week or so before Automatic Updates offers them.
>>
>> Tip: Reboot.
>> --
>> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
>> MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
>> AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
>> DTS-L http://dts-l.net/
>>
>>
>> Jo-Anne wrote:
>>> I have my Windows XP SP3 computer set to receive notification (but not
>>> downloads) of automatic updates. Today someone posted about 11 new
>>> security
>>> bulletins. I went to the Updates website, clicked on Custom, and was
>>> told
>>> there are 12 high-priority updates for my computer. My questions:
>>>
>>> * Does Microsoft stagger the notifications? I haven't yet received one
>>> for
>>> this batch, and last time it came on a Wednesday.
>>>
>>> * If I had clicked on Express, would Microsoft have immediately
>>> downloaded
>>> and installed the updates without my further input?
>>>
>>> Thank you!
>>>
>>> Jo-Anne