Who installs all windows updates?

[tricky]

We still use W7x64.

I have just taken delivery of a new workstation from Dell. Windows Update is set to notify me of updates, but only install them if I say so. The system is therefore, from a Windows Update point of view, in the same state as how it left the Dell factory.

I have noticed that there are a whole stack of Windows Updates ready to be installed - 74 important updates and 32 optional ones. In the past, I have generally let Windows update all the important ones without really thinking about it. However, on this new system, I thought I would check what you guys do before proceeding to install anything.

I have just had my first 3dsmax2014 crash on me (whilst doing a file/save as...) which made me wonder if I should consider installing all these 'important' updates. The machine has 64GB RAM and a Quadro 4000 card with certified drivers for Max, so I wouldn't think the crash has anything to do with RAM or dodgy gfx drivers.

What do you guys typically do? Install or not?

[AlexP]

I pretty much never to be honest. I only restart my machine every 2 months as well!
Probably bad practice.
But once we did install windows updates on our main server and it completely fucked it to the point where we had to reinstall from scratch.

[tricky]

I pretty much never to be honest. I only restart my machine every 2 months as well!
Probably bad practice.
But once we did install windows updates on our main server and it completely fucked it to the point where we had to reinstall from scratch.

Yes - we have had the occasional issue which heightens my reluctance. HOWEVER - I am now having a major issue whereby loading a fresh session of Max (even after a re-boot) and clicking the material editor icon crashes Max to the desktop. Can't for the life of me work out what the problem is as its a fresh install (as of yesterday). It worked fine initially, but now this is happening continually.

I get the following error:

[Morbid Angel]

I install updates periodically. I think for the most part, its best to have your system up to date to avoid getting various windows related hacks from the web, like malicious software is one of them. Most updates are security fixes, since windows is full of security holes.

Your crashing experience, is it bound to just max 2014? Have you tried turning off NUMA and HT and see if it makes a difference?

[glorybound]

I keep mine current, all the time.