Please help I tried contacting Microsoft regarding this issue but they tell me that I can't receive professiona; help cause of the lifecycle but I thought that xp service pack 3 is still available for email contact. I need help regarding windows xp service pack 3 updates. My computer manufactuer has told me that I DO NOT need to download any updates regular or security updates because I have service pack 3 so that includes all updates and security updates but when I search for updates the windows updates says I have several CRITICAL updates to install. Could someone please help me and let me know exactly which updates I should install I have my Automatic updates set to notify me but don't install so when there is an update I decide to update or not because the automatic update was trying to constantly update IE 8 and other updates I already installed I am so confused I am a late bloomer to using computers so of course I want to keep my system safe but I really just don't understand how this is suppose to work. I am running IE 7 because after installing IE 8 my system just wouldn't function properly when online so after contacting my computer manufactuer they uninstalled IE 8 and reinstalled IE 7 and now my computer is running fantastic I really appreciate any ideas information and help anyone can give me Thanking you in advance, Sincerely, Nancy H.1 person needs an answerI do too

"chnajesa" wrote in messagenews:Email removed for privacy...Please help I tried contacting Microsoft regarding this issuebut they tell me that I can't receive professiona; help causeof the lifecycle but I thought that xp service pack 3 is stillavailable for email contact. I need help regarding windows xpservice pack 3 updates. My computer manufactuer has told methat I DO NOT need to download any updates regular or securityupdates because I have service pack 3 so that includes allupdates and security updates but when I search for updates thewindows updates says I have several CRITICAL updates toinstall. Could someone please help me and let me know exactlywhich updates I should install I have my Automatic updates setto notify me but don't install so when there is an update Idecide to update or not because the automatic update was tryingto constantly update IE 8 and other updates I already installedI am so confused I am a late bloomer to using computers so ofcourse I want to keep my system safe but I really just don'tunderstand how this is suppose to work. I am running IE 7because after installing IE 8 my system just wouldn't functionproperly when online so after contacting my computermanufactuer they uninstalled IE 8 and reinstalled IE 7 and nowmy computer is running fantastic I really appreciate any ideasinformation and help anyone can give me Thanking you inadvance, Sincerely, Nancy H.You will find details of the lifecycle support for Windows XP athttp://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/?LN=en-gb&C2=1173 and athttp://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/#ServicePackSupport.It is difficult to believe that any competent computermanufacturer would say that you 'DO NOT need to download anyupdates regular or security updates'. Did you speak to someonein the manufacturer's call centre? If so, the advice youreceived was absolute rubbish.Service Pack 3 was released in June 2008. Since then Microsofthave released many critical and security updates - which addressthreats and other problems that have been discovered since 2008.It is most important to turn on Automatic Updates. For the avoidance of doubt, you MUST download and install all critical updates without delay. I hope this advice is not too late, because some Malware interferes with the automatic update function.Open Control Panel and double click on Security Center. Theresulting menu offers the following options:Option 1. Turn off automatic updates. - Definitely NOTrecommendedOption 2. Notify me, but don't download or install them. - Notideal, but might be appropriate, if you have a very slowconnection to the Internet. This option allows you to choosewhich updates to download and when. Consequently, you candownload and install updates, when you are not using yourcomputer for any other purpose.Option 3. Download updates, but let me choose when to installthem. - That is my personal preference, because I want to be incontrol of any changes to my computer. Incidentally, I have justreceived a pop-up notification that Updates are ready for mycomputer. I am about to click on the yellow shield icon toinstall this month's critical updates.Option 4. Automatically download recommended updates for mycomputer and install them. - That is Microsoft'srecommendation.You should select from Option 3 or Option 4.Once you ensured that automatic updates are turned on, use your browser tovisit the URL athttp://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/default.aspx?ln=en-us.This will enable you to perform an immediate one-off search forupdates (without waiting for the next automatic update).The express option searches for critical updates. The customoption will also include additional updates that you might, ormight not want to install. From the optional updates list, Ialways install root certificate updates - but I avoid hardwaredrivers (because it is better to download updated drivers fromthe hardware manufacturer's website).