About six months ago a Windows update was automatically installed and corrupted the Windows Registry. With the help of Microsoft the problem was fixed using a Startup Disk. When I asked should I download the update again, Microsoft advised the decision is up to me whether I want to risk it or not. Since this incident I have not downloaded any updates as I don’t want to risk going through this trouble again. Do you know what could have gone wrong? Also, when installing programs the installer often requests that I close any running programs. Does this mean I need to close programs such as Norton Internet Security as well? The computer is running Windows Me, with automatic updates configured to ask before downloading and installing.

Without knowing what update you were attempting to install, and the particular configuration of your computer, there is really no way to tell what could have caused the incident with the update. However, even someone with intimate knowledge about the configuration of your computer would find it difficult (if not impossible) to determine why the update corrupted the registry. It could have been a fluke and it may work correctly if you attempt to reinstall the update again. However, you don’t seem to want to risk the same problem happening. That said, it is very important that you do keep Windows up-to-date with the latest updates since most of these address important security issues.

In any case, the extended support for Windows Me ends on 11th July 2006 at which stage all support (including security updates) will cease (see www.microsoft.com/windows/support/endofsupport.mspx). This is fair, considering the age of this product. So, since updates are going to end in about one month, you may wish to consider upgrading to Windows XP Service Pack 2. However, as your computer appears to be quite old it may not run Windows XP particularly well. So, you may wish to consider upgrading. Good computers can be found for around $1000 these days from online retailers such as Dell.com.au. Be aware, early next year the next version of Windows is being released, named Windows Vista. To run Vista well, the computer will need quite a bit of power. So, you may wish to hold off upgrading until Vista is released. Alternatively, you could buy a computer now and then upgrade to Vista when it has been released. Just make sure the computer you purchase has enough power to cope with Windows Vista.

Regarding your second question about closing all running programs before installing, this is a common request by most program setup or installer utilities. The reason is the installer may need exclusive access to certain files (e.g. to update the files). Should these files be in-use by another application, the installer will not be able to proceed. Generally such messages only refer to applications which are easy to close, such as email clients (Outlook Express), web browsers (Internet Explorer), word processing software (Microsoft Word), etc. You should not need to close other software such as Norton Internet Security, virus scanners, etc. This is because such software is very unlikely to cause conflicts with the installer and, in any case, such software is not designed to be closed by the user, given the security and system functions such software performs.