Results 1 to 7 of 7

Thread: Windows recommended updates, IE9, Free firewalls

  1. #1
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Posts
    6,585
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked
    246 times in 208 posts

    Windows recommended updates, IE9, Free firewalls

    I've got a couple questions related to the installation of my shiny new laptop:

    1. I tend to install all the "Important" Windows updates, minus one or two that I wish I could remove, for instance the one that the EU fought so hard for (browser selection). But when it comes to the "Recommended" updates, I am a lot more reserved. Do you install them all or read all the descriptions?

    2. Speaking of browser selections, is IE9 a safe and worthwhile update? I use IE8 as my secondary browser (various reasons) once in a while, and it's "fine" as it is. That said, I don't mind updating for a faster/safer browser as long as I don't have to "relearn" the GUI (sites I browse are pretty safe).

    3. Onto safety, does anyone compared Online Armor Free and Comodore Free Firewall? They are generally well regarded, but seems to work a bit differently. What's important to me not needing too much intervention. I've only ever use two or three software firewalls, BlackICE Defender, ZoneAlarm, and one bundled with a Internet Security suite by either Norton or McAfee. I consider all of them more trouble than they were worth. Asking me whether svhost.exe without explanation is not helpful.

    4. While I am at it, are 3rd party application uninstallers worth it, or is the Windows / application bundled uninstaller quite decent at what they do nowadays?

    Cheers
    Last edited by TooNice; 05-05-2011 at 12:38 PM.

  2. #2
    Senior[ish] Member Singh400's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Posts
    2,933
    Thanks
    136
    Thanked
    310 times in 247 posts

    Re: Windows recommended updates, IE9, Free firewalls

    1) I read every update I install. If I decide I don't need it, it doesn't get installed. This only applies to optional and recommended updates. Anything security wise gets installed.

    2) IE9 is miles better than IE9. It's fast and has the best hardware accleration in the browser space right now.

    3) You don't need a third party firewall if you are using Windows Vista or Windows 7. It's built in firewall is perfect.

  3. #3
    Pork & Beans Powerup Phage's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Kent
    Posts
    6,260
    Thanks
    1,618
    Thanked
    608 times in 518 posts
    • Phage's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus Crosshair VIII
      • CPU:
      • 3800x
      • Memory:
      • 16Gb @ 3600Mhz
      • Storage:
      • Samsung 960 512Gb + 2Tb Samsung 860
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EVGA 1080ti
      • PSU:
      • BeQuiet 850w
      • Case:
      • Fractal Define 7
      • Operating System:
      • W10 64
      • Monitor(s):
      • Iiyama GB3461WQSU-B1

    Re: Windows recommended updates, IE9, Free firewalls

    ^^As per Singh, with the addition of having to use driver sweeper to unistall ATi video drivers.
    Society's to blame,
    Or possibly Atari.

  4. #4
    Registered+
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Posts
    15
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked
    0 times in 0 posts

    Re: Windows recommended updates, IE9, Free firewalls

    Also download Microsoft Security Essentials when you can its the best lightweight and free AV out there.

  5. #5
    jim
    jim is offline
    HEXUS.clueless jim's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Location: Location:
    Posts
    11,435
    Thanks
    612
    Thanked
    1,639 times in 1,304 posts
    • jim's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus Maximus IV Gene-Z
      • CPU:
      • i5 2500K @ 4.5GHz
      • Memory:
      • 8GB Corsair Vengeance LP
      • Storage:
      • 1TB Sandisk SSD
      • Graphics card(s):
      • ASUS GTX 970
      • PSU:
      • Corsair AX650
      • Case:
      • Silverstone Fortress FT03
      • Operating System:
      • 8.1 Pro
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell S2716DG
      • Internet:
      • 10 Mbps ADSL

    Re: Windows recommended updates, IE9, Free firewalls

    I install the whole lot. Perhaps I'm just lazy, but I've never come across a Windows Update I didn't want.

  6. #6
    Pork & Beans Powerup Phage's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    Kent
    Posts
    6,260
    Thanks
    1,618
    Thanked
    608 times in 518 posts
    • Phage's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus Crosshair VIII
      • CPU:
      • 3800x
      • Memory:
      • 16Gb @ 3600Mhz
      • Storage:
      • Samsung 960 512Gb + 2Tb Samsung 860
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EVGA 1080ti
      • PSU:
      • BeQuiet 850w
      • Case:
      • Fractal Define 7
      • Operating System:
      • W10 64
      • Monitor(s):
      • Iiyama GB3461WQSU-B1

    Re: Windows recommended updates, IE9, Free firewalls

    Quote Originally Posted by snootyjim View Post
    I install the whole lot. Perhaps I'm just lazy, but I've never come across a Windows Update I didn't want.
    I have had windows update kill my NIC more than once.
    Society's to blame,
    Or possibly Atari.

  7. #7
    jim
    jim is offline
    HEXUS.clueless jim's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Location: Location:
    Posts
    11,435
    Thanks
    612
    Thanked
    1,639 times in 1,304 posts
    • jim's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus Maximus IV Gene-Z
      • CPU:
      • i5 2500K @ 4.5GHz
      • Memory:
      • 8GB Corsair Vengeance LP
      • Storage:
      • 1TB Sandisk SSD
      • Graphics card(s):
      • ASUS GTX 970
      • PSU:
      • Corsair AX650
      • Case:
      • Silverstone Fortress FT03
      • Operating System:
      • 8.1 Pro
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell S2716DG
      • Internet:
      • 10 Mbps ADSL

    Re: Windows recommended updates, IE9, Free firewalls

    You mean the drivers from Microsoft Update? That has happened to me once, yes, but I wasn't talking about drivers in this instance... I typically refuse all of those.

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Free programs - the ultimate guide
    By cptwhite_uk in forum Software
    Replies: 164
    Last Post: 01-01-2012, 12:48 AM
  2. Replies: 1
    Last Post: 28-09-2007, 08:56 PM
  3. ATI Catalyst 5.8 released
    By =TcQi= in forum Graphics Cards
    Replies: 17
    Last Post: 18-08-2005, 12:35 AM
  4. Instance Walkthrough Guide
    By ERU in forum PC
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 28-04-2005, 10:35 PM
  5. Have you done all of your windows updates ?
    By Moby-Dick in forum General Discussion
    Replies: 33
    Last Post: 05-05-2004, 01:23 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •