How do you update and patch software to improve security and performance?

Updating and patching software is an essential part of computer maintenance. It can help you fix bugs, improve features, and protect your system from viruses and hackers. However, it can also be confusing and time-consuming, especially if you have multiple programs and devices to manage. In this article, we will show you how to update and patch software to improve security and performance in four easy steps.

1 Check for updates regularly

The first step is to check for updates regularly. Most software programs have an option to check for updates automatically or manually. You can usually find this option in the settings, preferences, or help menu of the program. If you enable automatic updates, the program will notify you when there is a new version available and ask you to install it. If you prefer manual updates, you will have to check the program's website or app store for the latest version and download it yourself. Either way, you should always read the release notes or changelog to see what the update includes and if there are any known issues or compatibility problems.

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Gary Haggermaker

IT Administrator at Great Lakes Community Action Partnership
I've found that developing a schedule will ensure that this gets done. Without a structure it's too easy to forget when we should be checking.
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2 Backup your data before installing updates

The second step is to backup your data before installing updates. Updates can sometimes cause errors, glitches, or data loss, especially if they are major or incompatible with your system. To prevent this, you should always backup your important files, settings, and preferences before installing any updates. You can use an external hard drive, a cloud service, or a backup software to do this. You should also create a system restore point or a recovery disk in case you need to revert to a previous state of your system.

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3 Install updates one at a time

The third step is to install updates one at a time. Installing multiple updates at once can overload your system and cause conflicts, crashes, or slowdowns. To avoid this, you should install updates one at a time and restart your computer after each installation. This will ensure that the updates are applied correctly and that your system is stable and functional. You should also close any unnecessary programs or processes while installing updates to free up memory and CPU resources.

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Kawika Cureton (Remote/WFH)

Helpdesk Support
This step forgot to add: Don't update during working hours or the most busy part of the day. You will have management on top of you like they were eagles hunting prey! The key giveaway is, "Restart your computer after each installation." When you are using an update tool, it pushes the updates to every PC and will restart after the update is installed. Therefore, the steps Three and Four should be done after hours, because they both have to have reboot to complete the installation.
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4 Patch software vulnerabilities

The fourth step is to patch software vulnerabilities. Software vulnerabilities are flaws or weaknesses in the code that can be exploited by hackers or malware to access or damage your system. Software developers often release patches or fixes to address these vulnerabilities and improve security. You should always install these patches as soon as possible to prevent cyberattacks and data breaches. You can usually find these patches on the program's website or app store, or through a security software or tool that scans your system for vulnerabilities and recommends patches.

For example, Windows Update and Microsoft Defender are two tools that can help you patch software vulnerabilities on Windows systems.

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5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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James Gavioli

Experienced Healthcare IT Professional
These 'steps' are extremely generic. The question is how to improve security and performance - not as push-button simple as installing an update/patch and crossing your fingers. It begins with research. Read up carefully on the release notes of the patch/upgrade from the vendor. On the OS level, scour the vendor's articles/notes, and also in forums, for known issues, performance and security tweaks.. take careful notes, get your changelog ready... if possible have a mirror/staging server or duplicated VM for testing purposes. Find a metric(s) to measure any improvement(s) - or not - in security and performance. Again, the article barely scratches the surface but at least raises awareness. It's more involved than most non-IT would think.
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How do you update and patch software to improve security and performance?

1

2

3

4

5

1 Check for updates regularly

2 Backup your data before installing updates

3 Install updates one at a time

4 Patch software vulnerabilities

5 Here’s what else to consider

Computer Repair

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How do you update and patch software to improve security and performance?

1

2

3

4

5

1 Check for updates regularly

2 Backup your data before installing updates

3 Install updates one at a time

4 Patch software vulnerabilities

5 Here’s what else to consider

Computer Repair

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