Is it safe/OK to install windows updates from standard user account?

May be a simple question, may be I'm just being over cautious? But is it safe to install Windows Updates logged into the machine as standard user (as opposed to a Computer Administrator)?

Up until now I have always logged into the machine as the Computer Admin specifically to install updates - but is this necessary?

Thanks.

(Vista Home Premium SP1)

It's not recommended. To be honest, if Windows/Microsoft Update allows someone to update at a "Non-Admin" level... damage can and MAY be done to the computer.

Windows Updates manipulate, change, and fix components found within your Default Drive (C:\) In most cases, you must be an Administrator to access such a directory of importance.

Your liable to run into a whole host of permission problems. Stick with the Admin mode.

I would stick with admin account cause you will have problems installing critical updates etc.

Exactly. If it DOES let non-admins run the Updates, the User Account Control is going to pop up a few times too many.

Thanks for all your replies.

To be honest I would have thought Windows should know whether the current user is capable of installing updates - or rather - whether to inform the current (standard) user that there are updates available (and/or download them based on how Windows Updates is set up)?

Actually, this does seem to be the case... logged in as a standard (none Admin) user I don't seem to get notified of the plethora of security updates available. Only when logging in as the Computer Administrator does the Windows Update popup inform me of new updates being available. (Although I guess the standard user could still go to the Microsoft site and try to download updates? Like you say, probably unwise?)

Just curious, why do you wish to run the updates in standard user mode? Why not run in Admin mode full time?

smarteyeball said:

Just curious, why do you wish to run the updates in standard user mode?

Click to expand...

Well it's really for the situation when a standard user gets notified that there are Windows Updates available - if they are curious they might choose to proceed and install the Updates. (Although I am doubtful whether a standard user actually gets notified there are updates available? This seemed to be the case for me the other day, but I've not tested this long term. I also have it set just to notify, not to download/install automatically.)

smarteyeball said:

Why not run in Admin mode full time?

Click to expand...

I am under the impression that, under Vista, all users (even powerusers) should be logged in as a standard user most of the time. It kinda defeats the object if everyone logs in as Admin all the time. A supposed advantage of Vista over XP is that we don't need to be logged in as Admin for the day to day?

Which kinda leads me on to another question... If the standard (and perhaps less techy) user does not get notified of pending updates - how do they keep their computer up to date? (As it is at the moment, I log in every now and again as a Comp Admin to purposely install updates!)