Microsoft Update Importance

[Spoonboy]

Why are updates from microsoft important when, and regardless of whether I have them installed automatically or not, they freeze my computer when I switch it on and force me to manually switch my computer off (as has been the case four times already while writing this question) and on again before I am informed of said updates being available?
It can take up to an hour, occasionally more, before the update recommendation informs me that they are there, and also regardless of whether I check for updates, by which time I am the point of changing the setting to switch updates off altogether.

Please dfo not tell me that it is not updates that are doing this, as I know they are. So tell me why I should not turn them off altogether and so save the hassle of my computer freezing when allI want to do is work on my books?

Thanks in advance of any "constructive" advice.

[Canary42]

Probably too "constructive" but get yourself an Apple Mac.

[Spoonboy]

But would that solve update freezing, canary42?

[SlackAlice]

Updates are there, because of problems experienced by other users and by security holes exposed by either security experts or by hackers. Updates are used as a way of 'fixing' them.

If you turn off Windows updates then the security fixes cannot be applied and you remain more at risk.
Turning off your pc whilst it's trying to d/l them only cancels them until the next time you start your pc.

How many updates are you supposed to be getting. Generally the updates roll out on Wednesdays. The one this week was about 7-11 updates.

I'm actually typing this whilst my laptops picking up and installing the updates and I'm not experiencing any problems at all.

[Spoonboy]

Further to my question: updates have now become ready to install, after 90 minutes of frustration. While I am in moan mode, perhaps someone can also explain why, when I have updates on automatic, say daily, I am lucky if there is an update microsoft will install daily, but as soon as I turn automatic updates off, I get four "important" updates a day, adding further frustration, why is this so?

[ummmm]

Mine did mine this morning.

[ChuckFickens]

If you've got an update stuck so it's causing problems run the fixit for your version of windows from the link below to reset the windows update components.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058

"why I should not turn them off altogether"

You can turn them off if you want you'll end up with a computer that's riddled with security holes though.

If you really are getting frustrated about them, turn them off and run a windows update manually every couple of weeks.

[Alston]

Spoonboy....How are you so positive that updates are causing your problem.? Perhaps there is another reason. You might have a nasty hiding in your computer. Have you given a run through with a Virus protection programme?.

Al

[Spoonboy]

Alston: Eery three days I run McAfee security scan plus to check for hidden nasties, and none have turned up yet. But, the fact that 90 minutes later the updates came through and were installed, and my pc was running faster without freezing, should, I think, prove this point. But, in all, ChuckFickens has given some good advice that I shall follow, and give best answer for. Thank you all anyway, and thank you ChuckFickens for your thread.