the very best way is to do exactly what you are doing and ask, that way you can get replies from those who have tried it and like it also if there were any problems or glitches, you can also check other support forums for problems listed with a specific update. I do that prior to doing any of my windows updates, I check the forums for comments and if there are problems I wait till I know they have been resolved. As far as IE8 goes there are some conflict problems with certain programs which is why it is a very good idea to read up on it and if you are running those programs be prepared prior to install. I go to google and google IE8 Conflicts and find a wealth of info. Since every system is different there never is a guarantee that any one program will work the same way it does on any other system, so we do have to take chances sometimes and just dive in with fingers crossed.

Sometimes I don't know why users have problems with certain tasks and why some seldom do. Who knows? I went old school on the IE8 update on this Vista system as I am on the antique DUN and didn't want to download it more than once. After backing up my Quicken I cleaned up the system with CCleaner and some of the tools provided in Advanced System Care. I disabled my AVG and Vista firewall then connected to the update through the Windows Update utility. No problems donwloading, installing or using. And yes I, enabled my AV and firewall again. DA

If I had to move and not have my fios I just don't know what I would do. IT would be a determining factor in where I moved to I can tell you that. I will hopefully never have to leave fios! I have had it since 2005, I was one of the original test houses out here in Texas, I had the big head bosses out here from time to time, I had to call them one day because I lost my connection, I had 5 Verizon cars and trucks in my drive way in less than 15 minutes and several of them were in suits LOL. Found out one of the installers had accidentally disconnected me from the box at the street when he was working on the lines, it was very new then only about a week old. I think the poor guy got fired. That is the only time I have ever lost connection other than of course a power outage. I had DSL before that and it was a constant pain. Dial up was a bad dream.

the reason for the continuous updates are for security purposes, as they find methods of possible vulnerability to the OS they will put out patches for you to update the system with, if you choose not to do them then it is possible that your pc could fall prey to the vulnerability that the patch was put out to fix. Much like when you buy a car and they later have a recall on an item they find has a defect they send you a notice to have the car brought in for the repair so you do not fall victim to what ever it is the recall was for. Nothing it seems is perfect and the OS is far from perfect and the bad guys are constantly looking for new holes and methods to gain access to our computers to use them for nefarious purposes, hence the constant need to do security updates, not only on the OS however but on all programs that are on your pc, it is wise to use the Secunia tool which will scan the pc and inform you of many needed updates to the programs on your pc. We all have to be very vigilant in keeping all of our software programs updated. Secunia Online Software Inspector Even if you buy a brand new pc it will immediately need several updates, Microsoft puts out security updates every month generally so since the pc was built till the day you plug it in all those that have been accumulating will need to be installed. IE7 is coming standard with new pcs because it is the latest version of IE and is more secure than IE6, however you can still get IE6 it is available. If your pc has sp3 on it then no you will not be able to remove IE7 that was one of the specific instructions given when sp3 came out that if you had IE 7 on your pc you need to remove it, install sp3, then re-install IE7 or those options would not be available. Personally firefox is a much better browser and I would suggest trying it, it is a good idea to have at least one other browser on the pc should the need arise. this link may be helpful to you. running multiple versions of Internet Explorer at the same time.