1 critical 1 optional

I'll take the optical.

LilJoe

This is the update I show available, thanks for the heads up ,


Update for Windows XP (KB898461)
Download size: 477 KB, less than 1 minute
This update installs a permanent copy of Package Installer for Windows to enable software updates to have a significantly smaller download size. The Package Installer facilitates the install of software updates for Microsoft Windows operating systems and other Microsoft products. After you install this update, you may have to restart your system. Details...

Edit: also see this post:
http://www.pcqanda.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=2&topic_id=369959&mesg_id=369959&page=

Adirondack Girl

The update gives you two methods of installation. The "Quick" "Express", & the "Custom". (I probably have the names wrong).

Anyhow, I have always used the Custom.

Having installed this yesterday on another computer, I expected to see it on this computer today, so this time I used the Quick option just to see what it does.

The Quick option gives no indication of what is being installed.

What I don't understand is, who in their right mind would blindly install a program, without having the faintest idea what it does, or what it is for?

And MS promotes it this way .

Automatic Updates installed it for me, using the Express method. The updates for Windows XP have always proven safe for me, so I don't see a need to worry about them.

I have no problem putting in updates from MS.
I do have a problem doing so blindly though.

Suppose one came through that was to delete all users named, Jon .
Oh, that's ok. It's from MS. Put it through.

You really need to pay more attention. A lot of the updates have wrecked many PCs and there's no way to predict which one might. At least, custom lets you see what the updates for and you know what might have caused any subsequent trouble.