The Importance of Software Updating

Think of keeping your computer software updated in the same way you would keep up with routine maintenance on your car.  What would happen if you never changed your oil or rotated your tires?  Your car wouldn’t run as efficiently as it could, your gas mileage would drop, you might have a blow-out, or eventually the car could stop running altogether. Even if you have a new computer or purchased new software, you still need to schedule periodic updates.  Here are four reasons to schedule routine software updating on your computer:

1. To maximize protection from new Viruses & Malware.  Hackers are constantly inventing new malicious programs to infect your computer; software companies are likewise releasing security updates when these threats are revealed.


2. To repair Software Glitches.  As ‘bugs’ and ‘glitches’ are discovered by users, software companies provide patches to repair these issues.  Left unrepaired, these glitches can eventually lead to data corruption which can result in you not being able to access one or more of your files.


3. To assure Compatibility with other Software.  Sometimes your software can be so out of date that functionality is affected.  As commonly used programs such as Internet Explorer or FireFox update their programs, this can result in your PC being unable to ‘play well with others.’  The same is true of all Office software such as Word, Excel or Outlook.  Don’t forget updates to Adobe Acrobat, LogMeIn or other software you routinely use.


4. To keep up with New Features.  Getting the latest features can improve your PC’s functionality.  One important example is with LogMeIn software. The newest updates provide CMIT Wexford with enhanced remote access features that help us resolve your computer problems and keep your PC in good working order. 

To learn more about updating software and to find out if your computer has all the current updates, go to Microsoft’s Updating Your Computer and follow the instructions. This site also includes options to update Office products such as Word, Excel, Outlook, and Power Point. There is also an option to set up automatic updating.  Make sure to schedule this at a time you know your computer will be turned ON and connected to the Internet.  If it seems your computer is taking too long to process the update, check to see if a dialog box is waiting on a reply.  Never interrupt or turn your computer off during the update process as this can cause all kinds of unwanted issues.  Although an update can run while you are using your computer, the process is much more efficient if it occurs when you do not have any programs running.

To keep LogMeIn, Adobe Acrobat or other installed software updated, simply accept the updates when the option box appears in the lower right hand corner of your PC.