I had been hesitant to upgrade to IE8 & then SP2 but now realize that I have to install them and it's been long enough since their initial release -- but I want to run a few things past the experts on this site before I do.

Since IE8 showed up on the WU list on 5/7/09, I've ignored it (not hidden it), turned off automatic installs (to avoid WU installing IE8) and not installed any updates save Windows Defender definition updates (but nothing new showed up in the WU list anyway -- only SP2 when IE8 is hidden).

These are the most recent updates via WU that have been installed on my system (ignoring Windows Defender Definition updates):

6/4/09 Update for Windows Vista (KB955430)*
5/13/09 Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool - May 2009 (KB890830)*
5/13/09 Update for Windows Mail Junk E-mail Filter [May 2009] (KB905866)*
4/14/09 Security Update for Windows Vista (KB960803)
4/14/09 Security Update for Windows Vista (KB952004)
4/14/09 Update for Windows Mail Junk E-mail Filter [April 2009] (KB905866)
4/14/09 Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool - April 2009 (KB890830)
4/14/09 Security Update for Windows Vista (KB956572)
4/14/09 Security Update for Windows Vista (KB959426)
4/14/09 Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer 7 for Windows Vista(KB963027)

*Strange thing about the first three updates is that I had turned off automatic installs to avoid WU installing IE8. I didn't install them manually, but yet they show up in "update history." Are some updates just too important that they'll get installed immediately regardless of user setting or what?

On 6/9/09, I received 10 new Windows Updates, including what appears to be a new update for IE8 (23.5 MB as opposed 15.6 MB for the earlier version).

Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer 7 for Windows Vista (KB969897)
Internet Explorer 8 for Windows Vista
Security Update for Windows Vista (KB961501)
Security Update for Windows Vista (KB968537)
Security Update for Windows Vista (KB970238)
Update Rollup for ActiveX Killbits for Windows Vista (KB969898)
Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool - June 2009 (KB890830)
Cumulative Update for Media Center for Windows Vista (KB967632)
Update for Windows Mail Junk E-mail Filter [June 2009] (KB905866)
Security Update for Microsoft Works 8 (KB967043)

My concern is that I may have strayed from MS's planned timeline of upgrades for IE & Vista. I had avoided IE8 and thus not been allowed (by WU) to update to Vista SP2. Would this cause problems for subsequent updates?

Do I install all the latest Windows Updates before I install IE8 & SP2 or just the one update for IE7 then install IE8, SP2 and then the rest of the updates?

Should I install IE8 & SP2 via Windows Update or the stand alone versions?

Also, should I install MS Silverlight? It's been on my Windows Update list as optional since 2/25/09. I have not installed it since I'm always wary of optional MS software. But now it seems that I may need it for when I upgrade to IE8.

I need advice on how to proceed from here to install all the necessary or useful updates, IE8 and Vista SP2 to end up with a stable (and hopefully) faster/improved system.

Thank you for the welcome, and moreso for the swift response, Shawn.

I take it you mean to install IE8 via Windows Update while installing SP2 from the stand alone version, right?

How about Silverlight? Should I install it or is it included with IE8?

Thanks for the advice, Dwarf.

So it does not matter in what order IE8 and SP2 are installed?

Why is it that in Windows Update, the SP2 update does not show up unless IE8 is hidden or unless (presumably) IE8 is first installed?

I'll go ahead and install Silverlight.

How about Windows Live Essentials (i've ignored it since it appeared on 4/25/09). My Dell arrived with Movie Maker, Mail, Messenger, and Photo Gallery pre-installed with Vista. Is the Live Essentials update an upgrade? The only programs offered by WLE update that I don't already have are Writer, Family Safety, and Toolbar. Should I install this update?

Now, the SP2 update no longer shows up when the IE8 update is hidden.

Does this mean that:

a) I have to install the presently available updates (see 1st post) before installing the stand alone SP2?

b) I have to install the aforementioned updates & IE8, before SP2?

c) Just install IE8, then SP2, then the updates?

I am bewildered as what to do since Blink and Dwarf have given me conflicting advice.

Please help.

Thanks for the reply, Shawn.

When I hide all the current updates, I actually do get the SP2 update to show up in Windows Update. Sorry for jumping the gun and saying I couldn't when I had only hidden the IE8 update.

I'm going to bite the bullet and first install SP2 via Windows Update. My system is stable, pretty much up to date and relatively unaltered (ie no tweaks, reg edits...etc).

I know I have to disable my third-party antivirus & firewall, and turn on windows firewall (defender is already on). What else should I do to insure a smooth and succesful install? For example, should I run sfc/ scannow, diskcheck, full defrag, MS's update readiness tool, delete contents of the prefetch folder...etc?

Thanks again, Shawn.

Fingers crossed that's all I'll need to ask about this issue.