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Windows XP Service Update 2

To update, or to ignore?

You may have heard about it, but then again you may have been ignoring it on purpose. Microsoft’s latest update has been surrounded by the now expected horror stories of PC’s grinding to a halt after installation – but should you be worried?

Well, first off, if you’re using a work PC to read this then don’t worry at all. It’s probably not your problem, and trying to download the latest security update may not be the most sensible of things to do.

If, however, you have a Windows XP powered machine at home, then why should you consider upgrading.

Firstly, the latest update is far more secure – a firewall is built in and is self-administering. If you try to turn it off it shouts at you and keeps reminding you that it has been switched off. If you have broadband, then this type of protection is well worth getting.

Secondly, e-mail has been made more secure – a new version of Outlook Express does not download images in messages automatically, protecting you from unwanted scripts and “adult” images.

Thirdly, Internet Explorer now contains a smart “pop-up” protector – it knows some “safe” pop-ups already and you can teach it others. This is useful if you use online banking as some systems operate within a pop-up that less intelligent software has previously blocked.

There are a number of other less “showy” but equally important changes to automatic updates, wireless networking, Bluetooth and Media Player that have been included (perhaps explaining why it takes such a long time to download the upgrade).

So, should you update your system? If you have broadband the answer is probably yes – most known anomalies have now been identified with Microsoft producing a list of software and hardware that is known to be incompatible. You’ll see these when downloading the update.

If you have a dial up connection then wait until the update is released on CD.

For more information, click on Update System in your XP menu…but please note, back everything up before you update your system, and be prepared for some tinkering once the system is up and running successfully! Good luck…!