I do not do them, I have not had any programs that required me to update the .NET framework, if at some point you do use a program that needs it the program will let you know and give you the info for which one it needs. Many of them can cause problems. If you review the patch list chart Susan Bradley puts out you can see what she recommends. problem-patch chart and an earlier one problem-patch chart

I think there is a little misunderstanding of what .net framework is here, It's analogous to Java in that it's an engine that runs behind the scenes to provide functionality, it helps things run. It is used by certain programs many of which are involved with webpage design and display, it is used for programs like MS Visual Studio, it is also used by some game consoles, the newer applications may require the newer version of .net,older ones will be able to use 1.1 which is standard. However version 2 is NOT backward compatible with version 1.1 which is unfortunate. it's a framework/API to allow quick development of products with less errors, like ASP.net, Office 2007 uses it, and MS has really been pushing .net on the development community so a lot of the newer applications do use .net and when you need or get one of those applications or programs it will tell you that to use it you will need such and such version of .net for it to work (it works in the background to allow things to perform their task) and it will usually offer to have you install it or give the link to install it. here is the wiki on it, somewhat techie but does explain it. .NET Framework so it does not matter if you share files or network that is not what the .net means at all. you can simply leave the one you currently have on your pc as is till some day some program tells you that you will need a newer version of .net to run it, but do make sure if there are hotfixes or patches for the version you have as I mentioned earlier you do get those. I would not advise removing it from your pc either because it is very possible something you have on the pc does use it with out your knowing it.

Recently I had failed updates also. My solution was to write down the K number assigned to each update and searched for it at the Microsoft Updates website. As I found each individual update I downloaded and installed manually. I had to do that for each update. Try doing it like that and you might eventually get them installed. A good program to have would be Belarc that can tell you exactly what update you are missing. Here is a link that might be useful: Belarc website

Thanks, folks, I'll pass these suggestions on to her. She lives more than 100 miles from the nearest "computer shop" and is trying to fix the problem with her nephew's help. It has them both stumped. Yes, ever since she installed Microsoft.NET framework 2.0, service pack 2 security update for Windows Vista Service pack she can no longer search for anything (using any search engineÂGoogle, Yahoo, Mozilla). An index page will come up but none of the links/sites will open. She canÂt X-out of that screen. She has to hit Alt/ctl/delete and restart task manager; the whole system closes down and she has to log back on. She can open her bookmarks, but canÂt go anywhere from them. She has a Compaq Presario computer. Windows Vista home basic. She has run McAfeeÂs virtual technician and security scans. They said everything was fine. It isnÂt. She has shut down and restarted her computer several times. Nothing seems to work.