Software Updates Explained

CEO: Tracey
Company: Body-N-Spirit Athletic Club
Website: http://bodynspiritathleticlub.com/

Every time you get a file that wants to update, like adobe, should you update or download for a new version? I was told it could mess up your computer.

At one time or another we’ve all gotten a message from our computer telling us that we need to download a new update for a particular piece of software or application. What should we do? What actions should we take? Is the update safe? And most importantly, What if it messes up my computer?

What To Do When You Get An Update Message

The simple answer is: YES, update the software. You should let your software update to a newer version. Software companies are consistently trying to provide better security and better features for the products they sell. They also might have fought a “programming loophole” which will need to be fixed through an update just as a tire with a hole gets patched up.

A typical update message

Most updates consist of:

Improved Security Measures
Better Features
Programming Patches

What Actions Should I Take?

Most programs will do one of two things: (1) a message will pop-up asking you if you want to proceed with the update or (2) you can set the program to auto-upgrade. If a message does pop-up, all you have to do is follow the on screen instructions. Remember, before performing an update to close all applications you are using at that time because some updates require a reboot of your computer.

Screen shot of Windows Automatic Updates

Setting your program to auto-upgrade is similar to cruise control for software updates. When a new update becomes available your computer will notify you but it will automatically download the update in the background and install it for you. When the update has been completed the program will notify you of the new version.

Windows users have an option called Automatic Updates which regularly checks for an update for the Windows operating system. If one is available the computer will notify you that an update is about to take place. You can keep working of your computer if need be and the update will download and install itself. Once completed a message box will pop up saying “Updated Completed”. Most software has options for automatic updates. They are usually within the settings, options, or preferences area.

Is An Update Safe?

Yes, most updates are safe because they are coming directly from the software company to provide some type of upgrade in security or features. But if you do come across an update for a program that you do not know of then there is always the Cancel button.

What If It Messes Up My Computer?

There have been cases where software updates can mess around with other software settings or even your computer settings. This is rarely the case, but it can happen. For people that have Windows XP, you can use System Restore to rollback your computer to a previous date. For example, let’s say you update a program and you find that your computer running slow, acting weird, or isn’t performing like it was before the update. You can use System Restore to roll your computer back like it was an earlier point in time. Keep in mind that restoring your computer won’t delete any files but it will change any settings that may have occurred.

Just remember that’s it’s unlikely that your computer will get messed up, but if it does you always have an option to fall back on. You do want to keep all your software up to date as must as possible; doing so will provide you with a smoother computing experience.