The last thing you want when you are frantically finishing an assignment is a notification reminding you to restart your computer.
So, what do you do? You put it off, thinking that you will do it another.
However, the same thing happens next. But this isn’t what you should be doing. Yes, of course, it is ok to use the ‘Remind me later’ button to snooze, as long as you remember to update your computer when you get the next chance.
Software updates are crucial to maintaining the safety of your computer. Not convinced why? Let us offer a few reasons why you should keep your computer up-to-date.
Better Performance
Updates are designed to improve and sustain the performance of your computer. Out-of-date software, or hardware for that matter, isn’t always equipped to handle complex tasks. This is especially important since technology is rapidly evolving these days.
The software that came with the computer might not be able to handle the new apps you download or even work with the latest version of your browser. This is why it’s important to incorporate updates regularly. No matter the type of update, it will ultimately tie back to better performance and a smoother user experience.
Passive and Active Security
Hackers are always looking for vulnerabilities in your computer. A security flaw or weakness in your operating system can be an ideal chance for hackers to access your personal data. Hackers can take advantage of the loophole using code and target specific vulnerabilities.
There is a misconception that you won’t get hacked unless you click on an email link. However, that isn’t the case. You could infect your computer by viewing a website or playing infected media. And students use their computers for virtually everything – from using PaperWriter for their assignments, scouring the web for research materials, and opening websites for videos and blogs. By the way, you can see a list of the best assignment services here. It will help you better understand which site suits you best.
If your computer is infected by malware, then it can steal data saved on your device and even allow the hacker to gain control of your files. This is why software providers release security patches frequently. When kept updated, When kept current, your computer’s software and hardware are much less vulnerable to tampering and hacks.
Even if you have spyware installed, if your computer’s software isn’t up to date, the virus detector might not function as it should. Therefore, we highly recommend making an effort to keep your software updated to avoid vulnerabilities.
Guaranteed Compatibility
Your computer is likely to be just one of the gadgets you use on a daily basis. You might have several other gadgets and devices, such as printers, headphones, wifi routers, and more, connected to your computer. Running updates regularly ensures that your computer stays compatible with newer devices.
This is important because we are not only talking about gadgets. Sometimes, you might also have issues connecting hard drives or USB drives to your device because of compatibility issues. As such, it is best to stay on top of software updates and ensure that there are no lasting problems with your computers.
Access to the Latest Features
Many software updates might not have any big impact on how you use your device. For instance, they might be focused on fixing stability issues, avoiding crashes, or squashing bugs.
Apart from security and software patches, updates are also how your computer brand releases new features. For instance, there could be an upgrade to a newer version of the operating system or upgrades to individual apps.
If you want to make the most of the technological developments, you will need to ensure that both your computer and its stack of apps are up to date.
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Reduced Maintenance Cost
Updates can also help your device be more energy efficient. The updates ensure that your device functions seamlessly via improvements to processing and by reducing issues such as lags and crashes.
As the bugs add up, they can prevent your computer from functioning well, or worse – the system could crash altogether.
By updating your computer on time, you can reduce the overall maintenance cost associated with the computer.
And needless to say, an energy-efficient computer also has a relatively low footprint – which is a bonus.
Maximized the Lifespan of Your Device
Maintaining your computer well and updating it regularly can also help to extend the life of your device. Software updates minimize the exposure to viruses, buds, and defects that could strain your hardware.
When you don’t have to repair a device or outright buy a new one, you are saving money. Not only that, but you are also saving time and effort and avoiding the hassle of contacting customer care to sort out a silly problem – which an update could have already resolved.
Which Is the Best Time to Update a Computer?
The best time to update your computer is when the security patch is available for your system. But, of course, this might not be a viable option for all students, who spend most of their time on computers.
However, when you are not using the computer, you might completely forget about the update.
So, why not make a note in your student scheduling app, so you can keep the update running when you are doing something else, or perhaps, overnight? This way, you won’t have to wait until the update finishes to use your computer.
And what’s more, most devices these days also come with the ‘auto-update’ feature. In other words, you need not do anything at all. The computer will pick a time to install the updates based on your usage, and it will restart and be ready for you. But make sure that you have enabled this feature and have not clicked on the snooze button when they send you the notification suggesting an update.
There is no arguing that repeated update reminders can be annoying, especially if you are working on something. However, bear in mind that the main purpose of updates is to improve the user experience and security of your computer in the long run.
