do I need ALL windows XP updates

[maumau]

my computer is 1 year old but i've only just connected to the internet. last night windows did 79Meg of updating.!!!!!! now i've changed the setting to ask before updating. do ALL the updates need to be downloaded - in other words does Microsoft know which updates to send to each specific computer or is that a silly question? big brother and all that

 

[MartyMarts]

You running SP2 or SP3 ?

 

[maumau]

thanks Marty its SP2

 

[MartyMarts]

thanks Marty its SP2

Cool. I suggest you try get SP3 from someone if possible. Theoretically, you don't need ALL the XP updates but as usual with MS, it's 'best practice' to keep your OS up to date.
I'm still running XP SP3 on my work laptop (and it still works like a bomb) but I haven't noticed any updates recently. I'm not 100% sure but I don't think MS are releasing any updates for XP anymore...
When you check online, the update site checks your pc/laptop and can identify what updates are required. If you can get SP3 installed then worst case you can just select and install the critical updates afterwards.

Just my suggestion though. . .

 

[Praeses]

Microsoft is only releasing critical updates nowadays. As mentioned above, install SP3. Then do a complete update. From then on, you shouldn't be getting any huge updates, if any at all.
Some updates fix exploits often used by worms and viruses, so I prefer to keep all the PCs I work with up to date

 

[maumau]

OK so the first thing is to install SP3 and the 2nd is to do a complete update. thanks for the advice guys - appreciated.

 

[MartyMarts]

Cool