Windows Patches and Service Packs
Check for Updates Microsoft created the ability to check for updates since Windows 98SE. In Windows 2000 and Windows XP users can allow the operating system to automatically check for updates and download. We recommend that these be set to automatically download the updates, but allow the user to initiate the installation of these updates.
Service Packs Service Packs are major updates of the Operating system and should be installed with some caution. The Service Pack updates pose some risk of causing problems or compatibility issues with your existing software. For this reason, if you are running a key application we would recommend that you install the Service Packs carefully. If possible contact the manufacture of the Software that you are concerned about and ask them about the comparability of their software with the Windows Service Pack.