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It often pays to wait before installing new versions of your system software and applications.

If you think you've been spending more time than usual waiting for your software to update, you may be right.

The release of Windows 8.1, OS X Mavericks, and iOS 7.0.3 has given us update fatigue. This weekend it took me a total of 7 hours to install all three upgrades: 2.5 hours for Windows 8.1, 3.5 hours for Mavericks, and 1 hour for iOS 7.0.3.

Even though the updates installed without a hitch, most people have no need to rush applying the upgrades. Taking your time is one of my "update rules." These guidelines will help keep your software updates from causing problems of their own.

Rule No. 1: Don't be in a hurry to install milestone upgrades Aside from security patches, there are few must-have software updates. Early adopters are the ones most likely to encounter glitches, so you can benefit from waiting for a mature update by letting somebody else discover the problems.

Soon after Microsoft released Windows RT 8.1, the company temporarily suspended distribution of the update for ARM-based devices due to a problem that "bricked" some RT systems, according to a story earlier this month by Mary Jo Foley. The patched update was available a couple days later.

Topher Kessler reports on Mavericks causing some external drives to lose data. And Josh Lowensohn describes the fixes in Apple's iOS 7.0.3, which the company made after reports that the iOS 7 interface was causing motion sickness in some users..

Rule No. 2: Set programs to update automatically Problematic updates are the exception these days. Applications and systems software should be set to download and apply updates automatically, which is usually the default setting.

The Windows Support site explains how to open Windows Update in Windows 7: click the Start button, type "update," and select Windows Update. In Windows 8, press the Windows key (if necessary), type "update," and choose "Windows Update settings" from the list.

To change your update settings in Windows 7, click "Change settings." In Windows 8, select "Choose how updates get installed."

Read the original:
Five rules for trouble-free software updates