Microsoft updates

It's a good theory.  Each installation has to be evaluated on its own.  Not installing OS updates - whatever they are - to a system that will NEVER be placed on line - may or may not ever cause a problem.  The OS will still work as it did when you installed it, but subsequent software installations may require the OS be at a certain level, e.g. Windows XP Service Pack 2 or 3.  Thus if updates were never installed the particular software may not run or run correctly.

The OS is so complicated that there is no way to be selective.  We would like to think we know more than Bill Gates when it comes to the OS but the truth is we don't. 

If it's to a system that is placed on line then it all changes and updates should be applied.

A similar and relevant question would be what does Cakewalk test on? Service Pack "only" machines without subsequent updates? Fully patched machines? Just critical updates and/or optional updates? All of the above?

I've advised my DAW clients for many years that if they depend heavily on their DAW for solid, reliable, and trouble-free performance, to keep it off of the internet. Use a separate PC for any web related activity, especially if you earn all or part of your living with your DAW.

Why? Keeping your DAW off the internet allows it to operate without virus protection software, and without often troublesome networking drivers/services. However, you'll find that many users on this forum get along just fine with their DAWs on the internet and running a relatively non-invasive virus protection software such as Microsoft's own Security Essentials -- which is great, but why take the chance if you don't have to?

What kind of chance are you taking with a DAW on the internet? I work in IT during my regular day job, directly supporting hundreds of desktop users. We have outstanding software and hardware protections in place as well as rather restrictive internet access. And still, I'm amazed at how often I'm required to fight and clean virus infections where the user was "just surfing the net." No amount of virus/malware protection is 100% guaranteed effective -- EXCEPT for simply keeping your DAW off the internet.

Jeff Evans


I have been running Windows Xp (32bit) for a long time now and the last update I did was SP3. This machine basically never goes on line. I have never had an issue with it just because I have not been updating it all the time. It works perfectly.

Ditto.

I've just built an i7 running Win 7 for general day to day use, and it seems to go through an update cycle every couple of days. If it were my DAW doing this, I'd be well pee'd off.

Not entirely sure, but they are definitely Microsoft.

Oh yes - another one it keeps on prompting me to install is SP3 for XP!!!