Windows Vista Update

About Windows Vista Patches and Fixes: In computing, a patch is a small piece of software designed to update or fix problems with a computer program. This includes fixing bugs, replacing graphics and improving the usability or performance.

Though meant to fix problems, poorly designed patches can sometimes introduce new problems.

Because the word "patch" carries the connotation of a small fix, large fixes may use different nomenclature. Bulky patches or patches that significantly change a program may circulate as "service packs" or as "software updates". Microsoft Windows NT and its successors (including Windows 2000, Windows XP, and later versions) use the "service pack" terminology.

The size of patches may vary from a few kilobytes to hundreds of megabytes — mostly more significant changes imply a larger size. In particular, patches can become quite large when the changes add or replace non-program data, such as graphics and sounds files. Such situations commonly occur in the patching of computer games.

Compared with the initial installation of software, patches usually do not take long to apply. Patches acquired via the Internet may take longer (depending on Internet connection speed).

In the case of operating systems and computer server software, patches have the particularly important role of fixing security holes. To facilitate updates, operating systems often provide automatic or semi-automatic update facilities.

Completely automatic updates have not succeeded in gaining widespread popularity in corporate computing environments, partly because of the aforementioned glitches, but also because administrators fear that software companies may gain unlimited control over their computers. Package management systems can offer various degrees of patch automation.

Usage of completely automatic updates is far more widespread in the consumer market, due largely to the fact that Windows XP added support for them and the more recent Service Pack 2 for Microsoft's popular Windows XP operating system enabled them by default.

Cautious users, particularly system administrators, tend to put off applying patches until they can verify the stability of the fixes. Microsoft (W)SUS support this. In the cases of large patches or of significant changes, distributors often limit availability of patches to qualified developers as a beta test.

This page will list articles about available patches and fixes for Windows Vista.