To Update or Not, that is the Question!

I don't particularly like doing software updates. In fact, I have a sticker on one of my older Windows laptop that reads "The majority of my life is spent avoiding software updates".

I have been involved in software maintenance for nearly 40 years. First, as an IBM mainframe systems programmer, next as a software developer with software installation responsibilities, and now as the owner of Tech Concierge helping family, friends, and customers maintain the software on their devices.

My experience is that you never want to be on "the bleeding edge" of software updates unless it is absolutely necessary to fix a security vulnerability, or addresses a problem that you need desperately fixed. Otherwise, I like to stay 'a generation' behind. Both Microsoft and Apple offer major software updates at least once a year, sometimes twice. For instance, in 2021, Microsoft offered Windows 10 Update '21H1' and '21H2' signifying 'first half' and 'second half' of 2021. My Windows computers are all running '21H1'. My MacBook is running 'Big Sur' (released in 2020), even though 'Monterey' was released in October of 2021.

Both Microsoft and Apple provide 'interim' updates for various software components of the operating systems. Usually these address security vulnerabilities, so it is important that you apply these updates as soon as possible to prevent any malicious software from compromising your computer or other devices.

Besides security issues, it is important to keep your software reasonably up to date to make sure that your software is taking advantage of new functionality. Case in point is a customer who has a Mac manufactured in mid 2011. It was running Mac operating system (OS) 'Lion' - the version that came with the computer when it was shipped! Amazingly, it served him well, until he could no longer use certain peripherals (printers, mice) because his OS was too old to support them. Also, his browsers could no longer properly display websites using newer and more secure methods of displaying text, pictures, and videos. Some sites wouldn't even load and were displaying the message 'Your connection is not private...' or 'Your computer clock is wrong' even though the computer was displaying the correct date and time. These errors all came down to the fact that his browsers could not be updated because his Mac OS was too old. Once we updated his OS to 'High Sierra' (the last supported OS for his mid 2011 Mac) the browsers were updated and all the security related errors went away.

Change is tough and updates are a necessary evil. Both can be stressful, for sure, but there are times when it becomes absolutely necessary.

That's all for now. Thanks for reading.

Stay safe; be well,

Phil