My vista auto updates now shows the KB977165 unchecked in the list of autoupdates to install after a reinstall of vista. It also showed KB968389 unchecked - I went ahead and installed that one, but not the 977165. All other 'auto updates' are or were checked to install - which install with the time of day install settings, or manually. Before I restored vista with the 977165 installed it would try to start windows then reboot to automatic StartUpRepair which would find an ACL change and repair it on windows\system32\KGyGaAvL.sys .. then fail windows start up again over and over. StartUp Repair would again do its thing and say couldnt start because of configuration changes. Another attempt would say a Patch was keeping windows from starting. I kept increasing the reserved size of avail win restore space to not lose an old one that worked to get me into win - But would only get me in with limited off/on lan/internet connection to the router both wifi and wired nic. Pita. But wow.. so far I'm 17GB lighter on the hard drive with my basic most used programs. And I dont have that file with the ACL error... I'll have to spend time trying to figure out where it came from and avoid installing that program for a while hopefully. And wait a while for the offending update to be updated before installing 977165 You can tell I'm bored and writing too much but maybe someone will benefit or be wiser than I.

the very best way is to do exactly what you are doing and ask, that way you can get replies from those who have tried it and like it also if there were any problems or glitches, you can also check other support forums for problems listed with a specific update. I do that prior to doing any of my windows updates, I check the forums for comments and if there are problems I wait till I know they have been resolved. As far as IE8 goes there are some conflict problems with certain programs which is why it is a very good idea to read up on it and if you are running those programs be prepared prior to install. I go to google and google IE8 Conflicts and find a wealth of info. Since every system is different there never is a guarantee that any one program will work the same way it does on any other system, so we do have to take chances sometimes and just dive in with fingers crossed.

when you go to windows update site and choose custom it will then tell you which are critical and which are not and it will show sp3 as a separate update, you can select only the critical ones you need to install and also uncheck ones like sp3 that you do not want to install at that time. If it shows as a critical update then you probably want to install it.

Todays Windows Secrets Newsletter had a few mentions of some of the problems with these latest patches, as always it is a great newsletter with a lot of good info. They announced a couple of weeks ago they are extending the sale options for XP (as a downgrade) and also the support so it is looking like they are trying to get it extended till just about when the new Windows 7 Operating system comes out. Here is a link that might be useful: Windows Secrets newsletter