But it’s brand new, how could it have so many updates?
This morning I was doing a fresh install of Windows XP SP2 into a Virtual Machine. So far, things are fine I went through windowsupdate and found 3 updates the first time, then rebooted and hit windowsupdate again to see 55 updates available. A lot of times when I set up a new pc for somebody they wonder why I want to check windows update multiple times. They’ll usually say something along the lines “but it’s brand new there shouldn’t be any updates.” Well, this install was from a SP2 disk and there have been a large number of updates since that was released. Many manufacturers use fairly sophisticated techniques to roll out the default install images they use, but it’s still very possible that your machine will have several updates waiting for it when you get it.
When I go through and update a machine, my usual practice is to check windowsupdate until there are no “critical updates” left. So, with this mornings VM install, I checked once, 3 updates, now I’ve checked and seen 55 updates. I’m not going to assume that is all. After it reboots I’m going to REvisit again and see if anything is left. “Well can’t you do automatic updates?” yes and they’re enabled. I just 1) don’t want to wait for them and 2) want to make sure that I’ve got everything up to current as soon as possible. After things are “caught up” then automatic updates should do ok keeping up with new releases from today forward.
Don’t assume because it’s brand new that it’s current on all it’s updates. This applies to more than just Windows, 3rd party software included (Mac and Linux systems as well.) Even hardware. Now, I’m a bit less likely to encourage keeping up to date with the firmware for hardware devices like routers and wireless access points, but… Many times those firmware updates will resolve problems you’ve seen with the equipment and there might be the occasion that a security update is needed for those pieces of equipment too.