Need an easy way to get XP security updates w/o Val. Tool change.

[joereston]

I have serious concerns about downloading MS's XP validation tool. For one,
having properly registered my OS with Microsoft, I cannot understand why they
need further access to my PC to soothe their curiousity. For another, I am
concerned with the torrent of vulnerabilites, either intended or otherwise,
that particular download would subject me to.

However, I still would like to update OS and browser securities patches as
they are issued (MS insisted those would still be available to me). Yet, I
am having a very difficult time finding and downloading those patches.

I am not dumb about computers, but I am not a wiz at them either. Can
someone share some practical suggestions to make security patch downloads
earier or more routine?

Thanks,
Joe

 

[DL]

I guess the response might be that MS has determined that there are a number
of hacked installations, which origonally activated, but MS is now aware of
the various hacked codes and is now seeking to, if not block them, make
users aware they are not legit.
You can obtain updates via the adminastrative update site. ie you select
then download the update prior to installing.

 

[ANONYMOUS]

You will continue to get CRITICAL UPDATES even if you don't install MS'
much hyped program [some call it spyware] called WGA. I have not
installed it bu I still get the critical updates. Let us see what
happens tomorrow - second Tuesday of the month - the patch day!

hth