Lindsay’s Tech Tips

Ignoring Updates: What Really Happens

Reality Check
Why We Always Click 'Later'
Admit it. We all do it. That little pop-up demanding your attention, threatening to restart your entire system, always seems to appear at the absolute worst moment. Our finger hovers over 'Remind me later' like it's a lifeline. It's not just about inconvenience; it's a subtle battle between our immediate desires and a vague, future promise of 'improved performance' or 'enhanced security.' Who has time for that now?
Fear of the Unknown
What if it breaks my favorite app?
The Endless Waiting Game
It always takes longer than it claims
Past Update Trauma
Remember when it crashed everything?
The Truth
Why Updates Exist in the First Place
Those updates aren't just there to annoy you. They usually exist for one of three critical reasons:
Security Fixes
The big one. Patches for vulnerabilities that hackers already know about and are actively exploiting.
Bug Fixes
Fixing things you didn't even know were broken but were causing issues behind the scenes.
Compatibility Updates
So your apps keep working together and don't start speaking different languages.

When you skip updates, your computer keeps running… but it slowly starts falling behind.
What Actually Happens When You Keep Clicking "Later"
Nothing explodes immediately. That's exactly why this is so dangerous. Here's what actually happens over time:
01
Security Gaps Start to Form
Updates patch security holes that hackers already know about. Skipping updates is like locking your front door but leaving a window open because "nothing's happened yet."
02
Things Get Weird
Apps crash for no clear reason. Files don't sync correctly. Your computer slows down. Your system and apps are trying to work together using different rulebooks.
03
Updates Stack Up
Instead of one small update, you end up with multiple updates, longer install times, and higher chances something goes wrong. This is why updates start to feel personal.
IT Perspective
Why Your IT Team Actually Cares
When IT asks about updates, they're not being dramatic. Here's what they're dealing with:
Harder to troubleshoot
Outdated systems create mystery problems
Break more easily
And in unpredictable ways
Security risks for everyone
One vulnerable machine affects the whole network
Can't always be fixed quickly
In some cases, IT literally can't help until updates are installed

Not because they don't want to help, but because the tools won't work otherwise.
The Smart Way to Handle Updates
Keeping your software updated is crucial for security and smooth operation, but it doesn't have to be a headache. With a few simple habits, you can make updates work for you, not against you.
Schedule them
End of the day works great
Run overnight
Let them happen while you sleep
Actually restart
Yes, when prompted
Before You Update: A Quick Checklist
To ensure your update goes as smoothly as possible, a little preparation can save you a lot of hassle. Here’s what to do:
Save All Your Work
Close every document, spreadsheet, and project file. Don't leave anything to chance!
Close All Applications
Seriously, all of them. This prevents conflicts and ensures updates can access necessary files.
Plug in Your Laptop
Ensure it's connected to power. An update interrupted by a dead battery can cause major problems.
Ensure a Stable Internet Connection
Updates download large files, so a consistent connection is key for a successful installation.
That "Later" button is tempting... but comes with a price…
So next time that notification pops up? Maybe don't hit "Later." (Or at least don't hit it for six months.)
Ignoring updates doesn't make problems go away, it just delays them until they're bigger, harder, and more expensive to fix.
Five minutes of updates now saves hours of problems later.
Coming Next Week
Why RAM Suddenly Matters (And Why Your Laptop Costs More)
Your laptop isn’t more expensive because it’s fancy, it’s more expensive because it needs more brain power. Next week we’re breaking down what RAM actually does and why not having enough of it is quietly costing you.
See you then. 👋

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