Hi gaurav.aidasani

Unfortunately all MS OS platforms need updates as long as MS continue to support that OS platform

You should really install ALL MS critical updates, in fact better to just install SP3 (assuming you already have SP1a)?

If it causes serious stability/performance problems you can always remove it & try SP2 again

As you probably know, not installing MS updates can increase security risk when web browsing, but you still need updated security type software

AV type security software can slow down computer performance if RAM (memory) & CPU are limited

That is, AV running in real time/memory scanning mode, especially when the AV software engine version is outdated

Thanks for the help BELL BOY. Yes currently I am on SP1a as I used the CD which came with the laptop. I did realise that Windows Update wants to download SP3, so I guess I will give it a go.  I haven't bought any of the big AV software which use a lot of the performance, I run the basic AVG one in realtime and regularly update it. I also prefer using Google Chrome as my default browser, as I find Explorer 8 to be very slow as well.

Thanks