Have you ever come across an issue where your computer goes into a loop and says that it your update has failed? This is unfortunately a very common occurrence and happens quite frequently. The reasons, however, can be a lot more involved and complicated.
Probably one of the most common reasons for a failed update is a conflict on the computer. If several updates are trying to install at the same time you can usually isolate the bad one by manually trying to install the updates one at a time. Once you arrive at the offending update, you can research further to see if there is resolution. If the update is not a security update, you might want to not install it at all. Updates such as Net Framework and some for Office can often cause problem after installation.
The sad part is that sometimes it is important security updates that cause problems. We have seen many cases where Microsoft had released updates that have caused issues as severe as having to reformat the computer. This happens a lot more frequently then we would like to think about. A great resource to look into and read about updates before you install them is Windows Secrets. The products basic edition is free but for a very small contribution, you can get the paid version, which is well worth the 5 bucks for a year. Actually, you decide how much you want to contribute yourself. This is a valuable source for seeing which updates are good and which ones to stay away from.
The best way to be sure you have control over your updates is to be sure they are not set too automatic. You can access these settings through the control panel. First, open the control panel. Look for Windows Update in the list. Once you have the options page open, go to the side bar and look for the options to change the settings. If it is set to Automatic, use the drop down box and change it to Let Me Decide To Download and Install Updates. Press apply and OK and exit the page. Now when new updates are available, a balloon will pop up by the clock and tell you so. You now will have control when and what updates are installed.
The above steps are for Windows 7 and up. If you are still using XP, Updates should be disabled, as no new updates for Windows XP will be released.
We are often asked the question on whether updates should be shut off permanently, even on Windows 7 and 8. This I do not recommend. I know there are quite a few folks who have been burned more then once from a bad update but these updates are important to help keep your online experience safe. Without them, you are more vulnerable to hackers and exploits. It is still best just to see if all the updates are working as expected by the testers and then installing if you get the green light. If an update proves to be bad, skip that one and in all likelihood, a new replacement patch will either be issued out of cycle or on the next patch Tuesday.
It is to my understanding that the new Windows 10 that will be released later this year will not have an option to change the settings for automatic update. This means that your only option will be to keep it set to Automatic. WE will have to see if this is actually the case after the final release.
In short, Windows updates are very important to help you stay safe from hackers. With a little bit of care and plenty of backups, you can ensure you do not loose any important data because of a bad update.
Article From, Tech Joe
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