Windows Updates are important for a few reasons, but they can cause serious damage to your PC if not performed properly. Below we explain the possible repercussions of interrupting an update and the reasons updates are important.
Here at Kappa, we've seen a lot of computer catastrophes! Shutting down or restarting your PC during a Windows update installation is one we'd like to share with you.
TAKE CAUTION
Windows updates will do what it is supposed to without any needed attention from us. Some Windows updates can take some time to install. Keep in mind that the longer you wait to install your updates, the more updates will compile which means even more time during installation. For this reason, a lot of users mistake an update with their PC being locked up or sometimes simply get impatient waiting for the update to complete and attempt to reboot or restart thinking this would help.
BEWARE OF THE "REBOOT" REPERCUSSIONS
Whether intentional or accidental, your PC shutting down or rebooting during updates can corrupt your Windows operating system and you could lose data and cause slowness to your PC. This happens mainly because old files are being changed or replaced by new files during an update. An interruption in this process could cause files to be missed, damaged or corrupted, which can cause your system to not run properly or not run at all.
The only way to hopefully recover from this is by using a Windows recovery process that corrects and repairs errors or by reinstalling the entire operating system which does not guarantee you will recover your data. This process takes more time than any update would ever take.
IF YOU BELIEVE YOUR PC IS LOCKED UP OR IT IS TAKING TOO LONG DURING AN UPDATE, DO NOT REBOOT! CALL KAPPA FIRST.
WHY ARE UPDATES NECESSARY
Security is the main reason. Updates address system vulnerabilities that can allow hacking and malware. Not updating and allowing older versions of your system to run will leave you open to exploits. Antivirus software will not completely keep you protected. Keeping your programs and software updated is one of the best ways to stay protected against security vulnerabilities.
Updates also include new or enhanced performance features or better compatibility with numerous devices or applications. Lastly, updates can include bug fixes that can impact the performance of Windows for a better user experience.
CONCLUSION
It is critical to perform Windows updates for security and enhancements. It is crucial that you do not reboot or restart your PC during one of these updates. The longer you wait to do your updates, the longer your updates will take to download and install. If you believe your PC has locked up during an update or is taking too long, give Kappa a call to check the status of the update before trying to reboot or restart your system.
If you have questions on how to manage your PC and Server updates, call Kappa, we can help. Sign-up for our automatic updates management program and experience the ease of having programs like Microsoft, Java, Avast, Drop Box and many others updated at the same time on a predicted, planned schedule.