Office & Windows Updates (Office 2000 SR1a & Win XP home SP1)

[EdBB]

Hello:
I just acquired a new computer and am in the process of updating the OS and the software. I recall that Woody had views on certain of the MS updates.

Can anyone point me to some central list of which of the voluminous updates are truly worthwhile and which should be avoided. For instance, I seem to remember that I should avoid some of the OE 6 updates.

TIA, <img src=/S/confused.gif border=0 alt=confused width=15 height=20>

Ed

[kaplinb]

For Microsoft Windows updates, visit http://windowsupdates.microsoft.com. Read attentively definition of each update, and depending how do you use your computer and in which environment, decide do you need this specific update or not. The bottom line: your computer will work without any updates, and if you use antivirus and firewall, you don

[EdBB]

kaplinb:

Thanks for the response.

I think that you are generally right, but I recall that there were some updates that actually made operation of some applications more difficult and thus were to be avoided. It was this group of updates that I was trying to get some information on.

Ciao,

Ed

[jscher2000]

I have no comments on Windows XP, but for Office 2000, the SP2 and later updates affect the interaction of other programs with Outlook and renders "dangerous" attachments inaccessible. However, without SP2 and another Outlook security patch, you may not be able to print graphics in HTML messages (the "red X" problem). If you can live with these features, you should install SP2, etc.

Contrary to kaplinb's advice, a few IE patches *might* be necessary even with a firewall and antivirus software if the exploits do not touch the file system and use an HTTP pull. However, any "cumulative" patch for IE will cover the big ticket items.

Good luck in your transition!

[EdBB]

jscher:

I went with the big cumulative patches for WinXP, IE6, and OE6. Fortunately, I don't use Outlook. I remembered that the various Woody's e-zines covered some of the most iffy patches so I reviewed the last few years and stayed away from the flaky ones.

All is well so far. <img src=/S/compute.gif border=0 alt=compute width=40 height=20>

Ed

[EdBB]

jscher2000:

I note in the latest WOW's review and approval of SP3 that there is a difficulty created for attachments with Outlook. Does this same difficulty also exist for OE6 and does the suggested fix ( a small program ) also work with OE6 after SP3 is applied ?

TIA,

Ed

[jscher2000]

Oh, the issue identified in Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 811167 - OL2000: Overview of the Outlook 2000 Update: December 18, 2002. No, that issue and patch apply to Outlook reminders for people use Internet Mail Only mode. If you are using Outlook Express instead of Outlook, you will not be affected.

[jscher2000]

Sorry, that was only half an answer. Outlook Express has its own attachment blocking feature with its own workarounds. Outlook updates won't affect this, and the utility mentioned won't solve it. Visit the Outlook Express board and read the threads on attachment security for further information.