Which patches should I avoid?

Reader JB just wrote to say:

I know you listed what to patch and what not to patch, but I’m still confused. I don’t know much about computers so please bear with me. When I go to the update page there are several things listed under Microsoft Office 2007 updates, but they do not all have numbers listed. I have not installed the following: update for Office System (KB967642), Security update for Power Point “07 (KB957789),Security update for Office System (KB969618), Security PP Viewer 2007 (KB970059).

Then there are three Service Pack 2 items listed, but no numbers. One for Compatibility, one for Power Point viewer, and one for MS office suite. So when you say not to take sp2, I don’t know which of the three not to take because they do not have numbers listed next to them. Could you please be very specific in telling me what to take and not to take. I’ve read your blogs and I’m still not sure.

Microsoft makes this much more confusing than it should be.

If you ever wonder about a specific patch, go to Google and type the KB number. For example, typing KB967642 brings up a description about an error message that many people see when they try to install Vista SP2.

In general, though, you should install all of the patches you see except for the specific patches mentioned in my posting. In this case, I recommend that you hold off on any patch marked “Vista Service Pack 2″  or “Office 2007 Service Pack 2.”