If you don't want to update, then don't.
But then, expect to get infected by all known virusses, and cracked(/hacked, but I doubt that) within a time-span of a month.

If someone wants in on your computer, they're going to get in. And as for viruses, he's going to get those no matter what if he downloads something that's infected or goes to a website that has a virus as a temporary file, so updates are really useless, and what they're really used for is so Microsoft can record what you do.

Needleskane Wrote:
Can someone please tell me what the point of installing this stuff is? I check my recently installed programs and all that are titled are Windows Hotfix XP ######*, and I click one of them and it sends me a link to a page describing a new Windows update? What's the point>?

I just got finished taking a Windows Server 2003 class this past quarter and I remember about hotfixes! Like the person above said this stuff is you your own protection. Also it helps your OS work better in certain areas. :.l

Thanks...well I guess, I already installed them, but they're used 'rarely' from what my Control Panel says. Thanks everyone ^__^

DO NOT uninstall Windows hotfixes. They are the "Critical Updates" that Win XP installs on your computer through Windows update. You need these for security reasons (prevent hacks, etc).

UREIKO Wrote: If someone wants in on your computer, they're going to get in. And as for viruses, he's going to get those no matter what if he downloads something that's infected or goes to a website that has a virus as a temporary file, so updates are really useless, and what they're really used for is so Microsoft can record what you do.

Silly question... do you leave your home's doors wide open when you leave, because you figure thieves are just going to get in anyway?

The updates are NOT really useless. They're to make it so that if someone DOES want to get into your computer, they're really going to have to work for it. At the very least, it keeps out the script kiddies who use automated tools to break into computers and have no real skill of their own.

Besides which, even if a user avoids virus-infected mail messages and files like the plague, he can still be infected by viruses if he hasn't updated. Perfect examples include the Blaster, Welchia, and Sasser worms, which connect to your computer directly (without needing something like email) and exploit flaws in your system to infect it. If you're patched, you're safe. If not... well, one of the problems the worms I named have is that they tend to shut your system down every so often.

Let me put it this way: my system is fully patched with all the latest MS updates. I have not had a single problem so far concerning viruses and the like. If you haven't and your computer isn't fully patched... you're lucky. Thousands just like you are not.

Just my $.02...

(P.S.: Hate spam? A recent study has shown that 80% of all spam is sent from infected/compromised Windows computers. You can read more about it here.)

Well thanks for filling me in, but the reason I asked the question was because I didn't know what they were for. No I don't leave the doors wide open when I go out, but still. I thought that they were just updates for my programs, but ends up they're virus protection. So thanks Bishop.