I probably should post a new thread for this....but it would be out of place in MSE Forum since it is about updates in general (not just MSE's).
About updates options:
Windows and Microsoft leave it to me to decide: Automatic update(Recommended)? Alert me without downloading? Download but alert me before installation? And then they throw on ya more informations about the updates that is designed not to be understood by regular users.
It's like going for second or third opinion and then decide which of the opposing specialists is right.
Point is, updates do occupy space. Though, a teen techie claims they hardly occupy significant space to squirm about. Nonetheless, this is my only clear basis for not being on auto updates. I thought I might have other reasons, but I am not sure what they are.
Which update option do geeks recommend? Why?
MSE, whilst it uses the MS Update Servers - does not rely on your windows update settings - its own settings are independant - so it doesn't actually matter how it is set.
However, to answer your question - speaking as a "Techie Geek" :) I always review updates before installing - and sometimes test them on a test workstation as I don't want updates borking anything on my network.
But - as someone who looks after computers for non-techie elderly relatives - I always set their computers to download and install everything automatically. Ok - sometimes, but very very rarely, there is a mess up on MS's part that I need to go and resolve - but that hardly every happens compared to the monthly "What does this little image mean?" "What button shall I press?" "What do you mean right click" kind of hassle that I would be faced with otherwise.
Hope that is useful.
M
