When do you update your software?

[Littlebits]

Most of us know that keeping your software is a must to patch vulnerabilities.
But recently I have noticed many software that release buggy versions which sometimes cause problems or features don't work correctly. On some software I have simply choose to wait awhile before updating.

Security software (not mentioning any certain ones, but several come to mind), lately have been having a lot of buggy releases. Which leads to the question, do you always update your software as soon as a new version is released?

Enjoy!!

 

[aztony]

With security software generally I don't immediately update to a new release. I'll watch the forum(s) a few days for feedback from users.

 

[Jack]

Security software (not mentioning any certain ones, but several come to mind), lately have been having a lot of buggy releases. Which leads to the question, do you always update your software as soon as a new version is released?

Interesting topic. I'm one of those guys who just has to have the latest version, it does not matter if it's a security software or any other type. A good example would be with my phone, I have a Nexus 4 and as soon as I've heard that Android 4.4 was out, I have started clicking the "Check for System Updates" button in the Settings menu....I knew that it would be a few days before it would go live on Nexus 4 but that didn't stop me from checking each day (even if the system does that automatically to).
In the poll I've gone with : "As soon as it's released", even if I know that the recommended and the thing that would make sense here would be: "I wait for a few days to see if a issue is reported". Kudos to all those who have the patience to wait!

 

[Viking]

I normally wait 2 or 3 days to update!

 

[Nedim]

B) I wait a few days to see if any issues are reported.

 

[jerzy601]

I adopted such a rule that updates your program after 3-4 days, and I had no problems ever with any program.

 

[MrXidus]

I do things my way. You can see my list of items at the bottom.

I first read the change logs to see if there is are new feature(s) / improvements / bug fixes (that actually impacted me) and if and I need them I will update and download.

If I read the change log and don't need the new feature(s) / improvements / bug fixes, I'll stick with my current version until I see some changes, improvements, new features, bug fixes that I like and need.

If no change log is available I won't download at all until there is one.

Last thing I want is features being removed in an update one example is VLC Media Player sound slider got changed from 200% Max down to 125%, I did not like that change and stuck with the older version.

Little things like that might not mean anything to some but are important to others.

Security software: Windows Defender (Auto updates signatures)
Media Player: VLC Media Player (Manual updates when I need it)
Browser: Nightly x64 (Nightly auto updates for bleeding edge performance and features)
Flash: Adobe Labs Development builds manually downloaded. (Auto update off as it's useless)
Java: Don't use it. I avoid it at all costs or if I MUST use it, Run inside VMWare latest version of both.
GPU Drivers: Latest Beta Build NVIDIA (Manual download)
Hardware Drivers, CPU, Wifi, Chipset etc: (Close read of fixes. Manual download if absolutely required)
Miscellaneous / Other: (Tixati, Wise Disk Cleaner, Photoshop, Audio & Video Editors. All manual)
Game Patches: Close read of change log and manual download if interested. (Manual download if absolutely mandatory)
Windows Updates: Let me check for updates but let me to choose to download them.

Thanks.

 

[Malware1]

I only update it when it keeps prompting me to update.

 

[Ink]

Voted: I update some software as soon as it is released and wait on other software.

Windows Updates works in the background, as do Windows Defender updates. I don't allow Windows Store apps to auto-update, as they usually include change-logs, so it's interesting to read new features for this new platform.

Auto-updating software takes the hassle out of updating, although some manual cleanup is required. Chrome comes with Flash, so keeping that updated is key. Other software I use on a weekly basis such as CCleaner, those updates can wait, and I usually skip a few updates as the basic functions always appear to work.

Finally, I avoid installing / keeping software that I don't need. For example, why should I use the popular VLC media player when Windows has a decent A/V player and with a couple of codecs it will play any file. Of course that's users' choice.

 

[illumination]

Im a lot like Jack, i tend to want the latest and greatest releases right away. I do how ever, revert changes if i find them too unstable/buggy.

 

[BoraMurdar]

I, like Jack , update as soon as new version of software is released and that's for software I follow for many years , like :

• Google Chrome
• uTorrent
• Sublight
• WiseCare
• Freemake Video Converter
• Burnaware
• K Lite Codec Pack
• Gom Player
• CCleaner

I always read what's been improved or changed before update to new version of ESET Smart Security and Windows Updates are automatically installed.

 

[nclr11111]

Using Secunia PSI for auto-updates and ASAP for all other SW! Haven´t the time or interest of following a ton of forums and evaluate. Just get it updated and move along is my melody!

 

[viktik]

Mostly I prefer updating to new software when released.
But I like to wait feedback in case of OS and antivirus software.

 

[Exterminator]

Same as Jack,I have to have the latest version.From a security standpoint it is important to keep software & your OS updated.However as Littlebits pointed out sometimes the previous version is better than the new version .I have found myself more than a few times reverting back to an older version until the new version bugs have been fixed.

 

[NSG001]

Option two for me
Wait a few days until the dust has settled

 

[Deleted member 178]

i don't use any soft for upgrading my softs, i just have to read the news in MalwareTips

 

[Gnosis]

I am a bit queer relative to this topic. I don't like ANY PROGRAM auto updating. That said, I have allowed WSA to auto-update. I usually am no later than two weeks when it comes to updating key software. Sometimes I am over a month late on Adobe, VLC, DivX, etc. I am a year behind on XP updates/patches, because I perceive them as futile as a private home user. I am usually a month late on browser updates. Other tools are outdated quite often, but I get to them eventually. I neglect to update browser add-ons as often as I should as well. Sandboxie is the one piece of software that I update ASAP. I have great security software, but Sandboxie is my primary defense.

 

[truoc]

Usually update as soon as an update is released which sometimes isn't a good thing and can cause more problems. I do this with drivers as well and kick myself when something bad happens because of it!

 

[Cats-4_Owners-2]

Hi, my name is Cats-4_Owners-2, ..and I am torn between procrastinating downloading updates ...as a recovering Update-A-Holic. With the exception of virus updates, I have experienced quite a Russian Roulette spirit of uncertainty tinged with desperation having often jumped too quickly for the newest latest update to download. Recently, I'd discovered MalwareTips; and together with an indispensable support group of countless members whom share their knowledge of what the consequences can be like when either jumping or falling off the proverbial download bandwagon (similar to devouring too many of the free software giveaway offers) as with both, one can become unbridled & unchecked. But I digress. Although I used to rush to update ASAP, I no longer (have) to do this indiscriminately. Windows Automatic Updates (an ongoing disappointment wrapped in an enigma) may have cured me of this need after facing, on 1 too many repeat occasions, a system thrown into The Dark Ages thus adding fear of malware & infection into the mix immediately following updates that had caused functional problems rather than merely the protections promised. This has happened most often with our Windows 7 64 bit computer. I salute those whom can resist automatically jumping upon the latest versions to download as certainly as the sun rises, this while I browse bravely within the contained confines of Sandboxie's latest version! Oops! There. I went & downloaded the latest version yet again..!

 

[Stubbornest]

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#3 : "I update some software as soon as it is released and wait on other software."
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