Updated April 24, 2013

To: DVI System Manager
From: Digital Vision Support
Re: Managing Windows Software Updates

The Windows operating system (OS) is a complicated piece of software containing over 50 million lines of code. The probability of something needing to be fixed or improved is therefore high. Regularly updating Windows is not only important but vital to ensuring the health of your computer system and network. Often what is seen as a VISION software issue is resolved once Windows updates are applied.

Important, Recommended, and Service Pack Updates

Important:

These updates include Critical and Security updates:

  • Critical updates fix major software bugs. These are not used to fix minor annoyances, but address issues that could render your system unusable.
  • Security updates patch weaknesses in the OS that can be used to exploit the computer. These exploits are continuously found and are used by individuals to insert malware. Antivirus software alone will not fix these problems.

Ignore important updates at your peril. DVI is not responsible for issues stemming from not installing important updates.

Recommended:

Theses updates add functionality. This includes new software, additional features, and device drivers. Recommended updates are not mandatory but increase the usability of software and devices installed on the system.

Service Packs:

These are updates grouped together into one installable package. They usually include all previous updates plus new updates. Service packs have also been used by Microsoft to add major new functions or features. The last service pack for Windows XP is SP3. Windows XP has been discontinued so service packs will no longer be released. Windows Vista is on SP2. As of this writing Windows 7 is currently on SP1, and Windows 8 does not have a service pack associated with it. Make sure that the lab’s versions of Windows show the latest service pack.

Update Schedule

Microsoft releases software updates every second Tuesday of the month. These can include important and recommended updates. However, Microsoft also releases important updates as the need arises, for instance when a new exploit could harm a computer system or network.

Updates by Computer Type

Servers, Combobulators, and Machine Interfaces (MIX):

The recommended setting for updates on these computers is to download the updates but not install them immediately. Constant use of VISION servers, MIXes, and the Combobulator prevents updates from being applied during the work day unless scheduled beforehand. Updates can take anywhere from two to thirty minutes. Updates might also require the computer be restarted. It is therefore advised that updates are installed after closedown or during a scheduled break (lunch, shift change, maintenance, etc.).

Never, under any circumstances, halt an update once it has begun! This may result in the OS being critically damaged. If it seems that the update is taking longer than it should call your IT department or DVI before attempting to stop or reboot the server.

DVI recommends that servers be restarted once a month. This will highlight any hardware issues that a server might have such as a malfunctioning power supply, network interface card, or hard drive. If there is a problem with any of these components it is better to find out in a controlled setting than have something happen in the middle of a work day. Contact your IT department or DVI if a problem occurs.

Remotes:

PCs can be restarted without halting production so they can be updated when it is convenient to do so. This is not to imply that updates occur at the end of the month – updates still need to be done as soon as possible. Configuring the PC to download and install Microsoft updates automatically will make sure the system is up-to-date as possible. The default setting of everyday at 3 AM is suitable in most instances.

Labs that have 24 hour work days or are open during weekends will schedule a time to apply updates.

Conclusion

A lab is a busy place and it seems that there is not any time to update computers. However, delaying updates leads to not doing updates at all. Therefore, create an update schedule or plan. Decide when computers need updating and how to do it (automatic or manual updates).